Kernel boys take pride in setting new program standard after adding another state runner-up finish
Mar. 25—MITCHELL — Given the storied history of Mitchell High School boys basketball, there aren't many program firsts left to be accomplished.
But on Saturday night, the Kernels made a third-consecutive state championship game appearance, a first for the program in the Class AA era, which spans four decades back to 1986. Overall, only three boys programs had appeared in three consecutive Class AA title games prior to this year. Mitchell made it four on Saturday night, joining Aberdeen Central, O'Gorman and Sioux Falls Lincoln.
Following a 53-45 loss to Brandon Valley on Saturday night, disappointment and frustration were among the prevailing emotions. But when the context and historical significance of their three-year run was made known at Monday night's welcome home gathering at the Corn Palace, those feelings were largely replaced by beaming pride.
"I mean, you always want to win, but after hearing something like that, it's just really cool to know you'll be in history forever," said senior Markus Talley. "I think we're a special group, and to hear only four teams have ever done it, that's really cool."
However, it didn't take a 20-4 season or another run to the state championship game to create the legacy for this group of Kernels, particularly the senior class of 2025. Their place in MHS athletics history was cemented a year ago, and one final tournament flourish only added to an already impressive career resume that includes 62 wins over the past three seasons.
If one game is set to define their time in black and gold, it isn't last Saturday. Instead, it's the triumph of March 16, 2024.
"I told them before our first game, 'You'll be remembered forever in Kernel basketball history. You're state champions, but how do you want to go out?'" recalled coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt. "They battled all year through a lot of doubt. I'm not sure everybody thought that we'd be playing a state championship game in January or February. They get all the way back there and come up a few possessions short, but it doesn't get rid of how much they've done in three years."
"As you can see by the banners, it was 19 years since the last one was hung before we did it," added senior Gavin Hinker. "No matter what happened in that last game, we definitely did enough to leave our mark."
Hinker and company had to look no further than a pair of tables full of hardware — plaques commemorating three state tournaments and two Eastern South Dakota Conference titles in addition to a pair of state runner-up trophies and the 2024 state championship trophy with a cut-down Premier Center net still draped around it — as lasting evidence of their many feats.
"It's really special. You don't notice how much we've really done until you look at that table," Smith said. "There's a lot (of hardware) up there that a lot of past Kernels wish they could have had, and we kind of took it for granted."
But just like that, the cycle starts all over again. Though the program's standard has been raised to an exceptionally high level, the up-and-coming Kernels aren't content to let the streak end at three title games in a row. Immediately after Monday's welcome home, less than 48 hours removed from the championship defeat, Kreutzfeldt was headed to unlock the gym for players looking to get some shots up.
According to the fourth-year head coach, that work ethic is emblematic of a culture the Kernels have worked tirelessly to build and is a prime example of why Mitchell basketball is set up for continued success.
"I think people around the state are kind of getting tired of us and maybe starting to root against us a little bit," Kreutzfeldt said. "These guys are juiced up, and they're already excited for next year. We're going to do everything we can to get back there again next year."
Topics
-
Focused and motivated, Kernels carry confidence into Class AA state opener against ESD rival Huron
Mar. 18—MITCHELL — Three games, three days. It's that simple in the eyes of the Mitchell High School boys basketball team, as the Kernels head west with the ultimate goal of defending their 2024 ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 18 -
Kernel girls end season on winning note, earning fifth place in Class AA
Mar. 15—RAPID CITY — For the first time in Mitchell High School girls basketball coach Dave Brooks' tenure, the Kernels finished a state tournament on a winning note. Sixth-seeded Mitchell used a ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 15 -
Kernels tame Tigers for third-straight trip to Class AA tournament semifinals
Mar. 20—RAPID CITY — On the back of a dominant defensive effort, the Mitchell High School boys basketball program's quest for a championship repeat remains alive. Avenging an earlier defeat to ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
Top scoring duo lead Mitchell girls past rival Pierre in state consolation round
Mar. 14—RAPID CITY — The Mitchell High School girls basketball team was ready for another clash with Pierre in the state tournament on Friday. Strong performances from the Kernels' leading scoring ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Marcus Traxler: In title rematch, Brandon Valley takes glory, while Kernels are left in agony
Mar. 23—RAPID CITY — Victory and agony traded places on Saturday night. This time around, it was Brandon Valley that got to enjoy the ecstasy of a Class AA state boys basketball championship. And ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Marcus Traxler: Hinker picks up where left off in state tourney for Kernels in quarterfinal win
Mar. 20—RAPID CITY — Gavin Hinker picked up right where he left off the last time he was on the state tournament stage. For the Mitchell Kernels on Thursday afternoon, it was as timely as ever. The ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
List: 2025 Mitchell-area all-conference high school boys basketball selections
Mar. 25—MITCHELL — With the winter sports season in the rear view mirror, area high school boys basketball players were recognized by their local conferences. A summary of all the area players ...Yahoo Sports - 13h -
Mitchell's Markus Talley earns Spirit of Su award at Class AA state tournament
Mar. 23—RAPID CITY — For the second time in four years, the top individual honor awarded at the Class AA boys basketball tournament belonged to a Mitchell Kernel. Markus Talley was named the Spirit ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
How Hillsboro wrote its name in Metro Nashville history with program's first TSSAA basketball state title
Hillsboro etched its name into Metro Nashville public school history Saturday with a TSSAA boys basketball state championship win over Oak Ridge.Yahoo Sports - 3d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Dodgers accept invitation to visit White House in April
Manager Dave Roberts and the World Series champion Dodgers to receive presidential welcome for second time in four years.Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Tony Vitello discusses scheduling future opponents based on run-rule in college baseball
Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello discusses scheduling future opponents based on the run-rule in college baseball.Yahoo Sports - 14m -
Wisconsin basketball reportedly in pursuit of former Pittsburgh transfer shooting guard
Wisconsin basketball is reportedly one of several programs to have reached out to Pittsburgh transfer guard Amsal DelalicYahoo Sports - 17m -
SEC football recruiting rankings after Georgia's latest commitment
Evaluating where Georgia's recruiting class ranks in the 2026 cycleYahoo Sports - 21m -
HS roundup: Cousins homers twice, Rittinger strikes out 13 in win over Zane Trace
Chillicothe's Bri Cousins hit two homers including a 3-run shot to lead the Cavaliers over Zane Trace.Yahoo Sports - 25m
More in Sports
-
Sources: QB Wilson, Giants agree to 1-year deal
The Giants and free agent QB Russell Wilson reached agreement on a one-year deal worth up to $21 million, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The deal eliminates New York as a potential option this ...ESPN - 5m -
Sources: Diggs, Pats agree on 3-year, $69M deal
Stefon Diggs and the New England Patriots reached an agreement on a three-year, $69 million deal that includes $26 million guaranteed.ESPN - 5m -
Lillard out indefinitely due to blood clot in calf
Bucks guard Damian Lillard has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf and is out indefinitely.ESPN - 5m -
Sources: Pitino set to leave Lobos for Xavier job
Xavier is expected to hire New Mexico's Richard Pitino as its next head coach, sources told ESPN on Tuesday night.ESPN - 5m -
Ovechkin scores No. 889, now 6 from NHL record
Alex Ovechkin scored the 889th goal of his career to move six goals away from breaking Wayne Gretzky's NHL record as he helped the Capitals to a point before the Jets rallied in overtime to secure ...ESPN - 5m