#3 Mitchell Kernels: Midseason Update

Mitchell, SD - Under first-year head coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt the Kernels have been thriving! They are off to a great start and Mitchell is currently ranked #3 in AA. The big-name for the Kernels and an Augustana commit is [player_tooltip player_id="812199" first="Caden" last="Hinker"]. He has a great supporting cast surrounding him and I imagine that the Kernels will only get better as the season moves on. Look out for Mitchell, they will be a scary team come tournament time! Read below for player stats, information on Kernel players, comments from coach Kreutzfeldt and the updated Kernal schedule. <h4>Statistical Leaders</h4> [player_tooltip player_id="812199" first="Caden" last="Hinker"] - 21.3 ppg, 10 reb, 3 ast [player_tooltip player_id="968182" first="Macon" last="Larson"] - 6ppg, 3 ast [player_tooltip player_id="968222" first="Gavyn" last="Degen"] - 5ppg [player_tooltip player_id="963805" first="Dylan" last="Soulek"] - 12ppg, 4 reb, 3ast [player_tooltip player_id="963755" first="Steele" last="Morgan"] - 12ppg, 8 reb [player_tooltip player_id="963764" first="Charlie" last="McCardle"] - 8ppg, 4 reb Aiden Myers - 3ppg <h4>Q & A with Coach Kreutzfeldt</h4> What has been the highlight of the season so far? "The highlight of the season for me has been getting to watch some of our guys really improve as the year goes on. Our role players are doing a great job of starring in their roles. The emergence of guys like [player_tooltip player_id="963805" first="Dylan" last="Soulek"], [player_tooltip player_id="963755" first="Steele" last="Morgan"], and [player_tooltip player_id="963764" first="Charlie" last="McCardle"] has bolstered our lineup and allows us to play 5 guys who can score at all times. It’s also been special to be able to coach [player_tooltip player_id="812199" first="Caden" last="Hinker"] during his senior year. He is playing at an incredibly high level and is a fun kid to coach." What are your goals for the rest of the season? "Our big picture goal is still the same as the beginning of the year - secure the highest possible seed for our Sodak 16 game and make the State Tournament. We are focusing on getting a little bit better every day and competing hard every night." Which players are most improved and why? <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/59-Steele-Morgan-crop-2500x1642-1634695312.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1311585" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/59-Steele-Morgan-crop-2500x1642-1634695312-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="963755" first="Steele" last="Morgan"] (2023) |6-5 PF| - Steele has taken a big leap for us this year. He has been a consistent shooter and couples that with a variety of post moves. Steele has been relentless on the glass and is improving with every game. I’ve been impressed with his ability to score from anywhere on the floor. A kid that has worked really hard to get better and is reaping the benefits of his hard work this year. [player_tooltip player_id="963805" first="Dylan" last="Soulek"] (2023) |6-1 G| - Dylan has taken a big leap for us this year and is one of our leading scorers. He uses his extreme athleticism to attack the rim and does a great job cutting when Hinker is doubled. He has also improved his outside shot to make him a multi-dimensional scorer. Dylan is also often tasked with guarding the opposing team’s best perimeter player. [player_tooltip player_id="963764" first="Charlie" last="McCardle"] (2023) |6-1 SF| - Charlie has been playing a huge role off of the bench and gives us a boost of energy every time he is in the game. Charlie is a do-it-all player with great rebounding instinct, ability to attack the rim, and can score from the perimeter Who have been your top players defensively? <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Caden-Hinker6.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1224495" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/06/Caden-Hinker6-300x188.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="188" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="812199" first="Caden" last="Hinker"] (2022) |6-7 PF| - Caden is an anchor for us defensively. He is typically guarding the opposing team’s best big but we also have the ability to put him on skilled perimeter players. Hink’s defense has really improved this year because he is working extremely hard at it every day. Aiden Myers (2023) |6-1 G| - Aiden comes off the bench and plays as hard as he possibly can. He is a strong and physical guard who has improved both offensively and defensively with every opportunity. What has been your team’s identity so far or what do you hang your hat on? "So far this season we have been doing a great job of playing together offensively and currently average the most points in AA. We have the meat of our schedule in the coming weeks and it’ll be important that we continue to play that way. Defensively we have been improving but must continue to make steps forward by playing team defense and being tough." <h4>Player Notes</h4> [player_tooltip player_id="812199" first="Caden" last="Hinker"] (2022) |6-7 PF| - Everyone knows that Hink is our leader both offensively and defensively. I continue to be impressed by his leadership, unselfishness, and dedication to improving. Caden very rarely takes bad shots and does a great job of finding his teammates when the double comes. He’s a fun kid to coach and has been a great example of leadership to our younger kids. [player_tooltip player_id="968182" first="Macon" last="Larson"] (2022) |5-10 G| - Macon has been playing the point for us this year and is a playmaker. Macon works his tail off defensively and does a great job of finding his teammates as well as finishing in the paint. [player_tooltip player_id="968222" first="Gavyn" last="Degen"] (2022) |6-0 G| - Gavyn starts at the 2 for us and has the ability to score in bunches. He had a big game against Sturgis with a career-high 17 points, 3 assists, and 7 steals. Colton Smith - Colton is an 8th grader who just recently earned a varsity jersey. Colton has been dominating at the JV, Sophomore, and 9th-grade levels and benefits from getting to go against Caden every day in practice. His future is very bright Gavin Soukup (2024) |6-1 G| - Gavin is a sophomore who works extremely hard in practice. His 3pt shooting is his biggest strength but has also improved at getting to the rim and has turned into a good perimeter defender. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/4-Markus-Talley-crop-2500x1642-1633025838.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-1297850" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/ph/uploads/2021/09/4-Markus-Talley-crop-2500x1642-1633025838-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> [player_tooltip player_id="1297809" first="Markus" last="Talley"] (2025) |6-0 G| - Markus is an extremely skilled freshman who has great touch around the rim and is one of the best shooters on our roster. <h4>Kernel Schedule (9-2)</h4> Huron - W 61-47 Watertown - W 76-62 Brookings - W 67-44 Thunder Basin (WY) - L 53-61 Campbell County (WY) - W 84-79 Harrisburg - L 59-68 Yankton - W 69-55 Huron - W 64-51 Pierre - W 64-54 Sturgis Brown - W 59-29 Spearfish - W 76-56 January 29 (home) vs. Sioux Fall Lincoln Feb 1 @ Sioux Falls Roosevelt February 8 (home) vs. Aberdeen Central February 15 @ Sioux Falls Washington February 18 (home) vs. Rapid City Stevens February 19 (home) vs. Rapid City Central February 22 (home) vs. Brandon Valley February 25 @ O’Gorman