Bishop Ryan senior Hayden Seay (center) signs his letter of intent to play basketball for the Valley City University Vikings on Wednesday, Apr. 29. Nathan Beitler/MDN

Bishop Ryan Catholic School put another notch in their belt of collegiate level athletes as senior Hayden Seay signed his letter of intent to play basketball for the Valley City Vikings on Wednesday, Apr. 29, surrounded by friends and family.

After playing for five years as a Bishop Ryan Lion, Seay has taken his first steps into furthering his athletic career. But looking back, there is one moment as a Lion that really stands out above all else to him.

“Obviously, winning the state championship,” said Seay. “It’s not something that happens very often. It was the first time in like 30 years, it was amazing.”

The Lions took home their first state basketball title in 31 years during Seay’s junior year. The Lions defeated the then defending state champion Westhope/Newburg Sioux 52-33 to claim the Division B in 2025.

Even though the Lions did not repeated their state title at the end of his final season, Seay says that he has fond memories of this past season.

“Looking back at this past year, we were pretty much counted out and not even expected to go to state at all,” Seay said. “Battling those two really tough games against Velva and Wilton-Wing and the team really clicking at the right time and showing how we can overcome that adversity and win.”

Seay talked about how all of his coaches and teammates from the past had a huge hand in getting to where he is now. He also specifically thanked his trainer Steve Aguilar.

“I go to him every day,” Seay said. “He gets me better every single day and is always there for me.”

When asked what his number one piece of advice for other athletes looking to work they way up to collegiate level was, he said that consistency is the most important factor of success.

“You have to you have to go out and do it every day. You have to work every single day,” Seay said. “It doesn’t have to be three or four hours every day, you just have to do it every day. And that’s the hard part.”