The Next Kernel Crop: Mitchell Primed for Success

The Mitchell Kernels enter the new season carrying the weight and pride of one of South Dakota's most tradition-rich Class AA programs. With a full week of practice under their belts and the energy in the gym rising each day, this group is beginning to take shape. At the center of it all is head coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt, an enthusiastic young basketball junky whose passion and drive set the tone for the entire program. Coming off a memorable run to the State Championship game last season, Mitchell turns the page with a younger, less experienced roster, but one that has already shown flashes of competitiveness, toughness, and steady growth. Although they do return the tough and strong All-Stater, [player_tooltip player_id='1466940' first='Colton' last='Smith']. With a productive offseason behind them and a nucleus capable of evolving into a dangerous February/March team, the Kernels are ready to embrace the challenges ahead and begin writing the next strong chapter in their storied history.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/kernals-crop-1125x739-1765139101.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/kernals-crop-1125x739-1765139101.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3187039" style="aspect-ratio:1.5238899741301937;width:289px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/TeamPreview.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/11/TeamPreview.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2632356" style="aspect-ratio:1.602071644367717;width:226px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   Kernels Schedule   <a href="https://www.easternsouthdakotaconference.org/g5-bin/client.cgi?cwellOnly=1&G5statusflag=view&schoolname=&school_id=5&G5button=13&G5genie=165&vw_schoolyear=1&vw_agl=7-2-11,&manual_access=1">Click Here</a>   Kernels To Watch   *Comments from Coach Kreutzfeldt   [player_tooltip player_id='1466940' first='Colton' last='Smith'] - Sr, 6'5, Forward   "Athlete. Tenacious rebounder has been a game-changer at the Varsity level for 3 years now. Ability to score inside and out. Will need him to be a leader for us."   [player_tooltip player_id='2080295' first='Luke' last='LeBrun'] - Sr, 6'4, Forward   "A solid rebounder who has the ability to guard multiple positions. We are hoping he can be our "Swiss Army Knife" on both sides of the ball and a great leader."   [player_tooltip player_id='2340685' first='Kendan' last='Skinner'] - Sr, 6'0, Guard   "Quick point guard who is a great defender. Rebounds well for his position and has the ability to make plays off the bounce."   [player_tooltip player_id='2340684' first='Tyler' last='Christensen'] - Sr, 6'0, Guard   "High Basketball IQ, fits into multiple roles, able to stretch the defense with his shooting."   [player_tooltip player_id='2344013' first='Jaxson' last='Hartman'] - SR, 6'0, Guard   "We will be looking for him to use his athleticism to help us on the glass and defensively. Able to stretch the defense to the 3pt line."   [player_tooltip player_id='3187398' first='Carter' last='McCormick'] - SR, 5'9, Guard   "One of the best shooters in the program. Scrappy."   [player_tooltip player_id='3187391' first='Jacob' last='Ebert'] - SR, 5'9, Guard   "Must be guarded on the 3pt line."   [player_tooltip player_id='2250346' first='Owen' last='Raml'] - JR, 6'2, Guard   "Got some varsity experience last season. Athletic. Will be asked to take on a bigger role this season as a scorer, playmaker, and defender."   [player_tooltip player_id='2250315' first='Collin' last='Weier'] - JR, 6'4, Wing   "Has a chance to be one of the best defenders in AA this season. Extremely long and an excellent rebounder. Has the ability to score in multiple ways."   [player_tooltip player_id='2132568' first='Lincoln' last='Bottum'] - JR, 6'1, Guard   "One of the best shooters in the program. Versatile guard who can score from multiple levels and possesses a high basketball IQ. Will be relied on to score and keep offense flowing."   [player_tooltip player_id='3187384' first='Kyson' last='Herrmann'] - JR, 5'9, Guard   "Athlete. Has the ability to be a great defender and has to be guarded on the 3pt line. A true 3 and D player."   [player_tooltip player_id='2344233' first='Owen' last='Schelske'] - Soph, 6'5, Center   "Will be asked to be a major contributor for us at the Varsity level this year. Has a high ceiling. Will take some time to adjust to the varsity level, but has a chance to be a dominant post in AA basketball for a few years."   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/QA.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/QA.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-2508303" style="width:320px;height:auto" /></a></figure>   With Coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt   PHD: How would you sum up last season?   "We had a successful season. We qualified for the State Tournament as the 4 seed and ended up losing in the State Championship game to Brandon Valley. We graduated an awesome group of seniors, including Markus Talley."   PHD: What will your defense "hang its hat on"?   "We will play multiple defenses and play a different style of man-to-man this season. We are excited about the changes and hope to find some success with them."   PHD: How does this year's team differ from last year's?   "Lack of experience. We hope to be a team that is very competitive by Valentines day. We will go through some struggles early, but the nucleus is there to compete for a home game in the SoDak 16."   PHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "Productive off-season. Played a bunch. Had a chance to go to the Marquette Team Camp and compete against some great teams there. Played in the Impact Summer League and got to learn a lot about how this group needs to play to be successful."   PHD: Who are a few of your top defensive players?   "[player_tooltip player_id='2250315' first='Collin' last='Weier'] - he really has the ability to be a game breaker defensively. Extremely long and has great instincts."   "[player_tooltip player_id='1466940' first='Colton' last='Smith'] - has been a great defender for us for awhile now."   "[player_tooltip player_id='2340685' first='Kendan' last='Skinner'] - quick and very aggressive. Loves the challenge of guarding a great player."   PHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "We are really excited about our Junior and Sophomore classes. Our freshmen class has a high ceiling. We have a couple of great players in our 8th garde class as well."   PHD: What style of play can fans expect on both ends of the floor?   "Fast"   PHD: Who do you think will be your best rebounders?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1466940' first='Colton' last='Smith'] has notched a couple of 200+ rebound seasons already in his career. He instincts are great and he never ever quits."   PHD: What are your team goals this year?   "Host a SoDak 16 game, make the State Tournament, play Friday night of the State Tournament."   PHD: Who are the top teams in AA?   "Sioux Falls Lincoln, Sioux Falls Roosevelt, Huron, Spearfish, Brandon Valley, Harrisburg."   PHD: Can you tell us about an assistant coach?   "Chris Gubbrud is an assistant for us. Having former Head Coach experience makes him extremely valuable to us."   PHD: Any last comments about the upcoming season?   "Excited for the challenge!"   BEST OF LUCK TO THE KERNELS!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><a href="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/kernals-crop-1125x739-1765139101.jpg"><img src="https://prephoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/12/kernals-crop-1125x739-1765139101.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-3187039" style="width:626px;height:auto" /></a></figure>

The Mitchell Kernels enter the new season carrying the weight and pride of one of South Dakota's most tradition-rich Class AA programs. With a full week of practice under their belts and the energy in the gym rising each day, this group is beginning to take shape. At the center of it all is head coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt, an enthusiastic young basketball junky whose passion and drive set the tone for the entire program. Coming off a memorable run to the State Championship game last season, Mitchell turns the page with a younger, less experienced roster, but one that has already shown flashes of competitiveness, toughness, and steady growth. Although they do return the tough and strong All-Stater, Colton Smith Colton Smith 6'5" | PF Mitchell | 2026 State SD . With a productive offseason behind them and a nucleus capable of evolving into a dangerous February/March team, the Kernels are ready to embrace the challenges ahead and begin writing the next strong chapter in their storied history.