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Dec. 23—MITCHELL — To open a new campaign, the Mitchell High School boys basketball team had more questions than answers in its lineup.
With only one starter back from last season's Class AA state runner-up roster and three games in five days to tip off the schedule, the Kernels needed a collection of less experienced varsity players to adjust to larger roles, and quickly, in order to find success.
To that end, Owen Raml has been a much-needed spark for the Kernels.
Last season, Raml provided backcourt depth as a sophomore and steadily improved throughout the year. But in the first week of this season, the 6-foot-2 junior guard was among the best players on the floor at any given time.
Making his first varsity start at Watertown in Mitchell's season opener on Dec. 16, Raml paced MHS with 22 points to go with six rebounds and a steal. Though the Kernels let a late lead slip in a 59-55 overtime loss, the positive impression Raml's performance left with the coaching staff was clear.
"We felt really good about putting him out there, and he was a calming presence for us," said MHS head coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt after the game against the Arrows. "I'm happy for him. It was a good start."
One significant negative in Raml's first start was that he fouled out with just over a minute to play in regulation. Kreutzfeldt added that the Kernels felt the impact of Raml not being on the floor late due to his role in breaking pressure and the half-court offense.
Raml then maintained a high level of play through back-to-back wins against Rapid City Stevens and Rapid City Central. A year ago, Raml appeared in all 24 of the Kernels' games off the bench, scoring 69 total points. In three games so far this season, he's already up to 46 points, just two behind team leader and two-time all-state selection Colton Smith. Raml averaged 15.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in the first week of action.
It's a high standard to maintain, but one the Kernels will count on to have more success moving forward.
"We need him and maybe one or two other guys to continue to step up; otherwise, we're going to struggle," Kreutzfeldt said. "We have a lot of confidence in Owen, and he has a lot of confidence in himself, so I think he's going to keep getting better."
While the Kernels' personnel includes many fresh faces this season, what isn't new is the program's defensive tenacity.
After 99 games under fifth-year coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt, Mitchell owns a record of 79-20. A great deal of that success starts on defense, where the Kernels have improved every season, finishing 10th, fifth, fourth and third in points allowed per game, respectively.
Each of the past two seasons, Mitchell has allowed less than 50 points per game, and that could prove to be a key threshold once again.
Prior to the season, Kreutzfeldt gave his defense a vote of confidence, praising the Kernels' improvement on that end of the floor as the season neared and pointing out the roster's multiple standout individual defenders.
"I think we're going to be able to guard at least decently against most teams," Kreutzfeldt said. "I don't know if we're going to be able to outscore many teams."
Mitchell didn't give up more than 50 points in regulation to any of its first three opponents. Even with an overtime period factored in, the Kernels have allowed 49.7 points per contest, third-best in Class AA through three games.
The defensive effort has helped mask some growing pains on offense. In regulation, Mitchell has scored 50, 53 and 66 points in three games. Both offense and defense are soon to be put to the test, as Mitchell enters a difficult stretch of the schedule out of the holiday break.
The Kernels face high-flying out-of-state opponents at the Hoop City Classic in Jonesboro (Ga.) and Totino-Grace (Minn.), then jump back into South Dakota Class AA play with contests against No. 5-ranked Harrisburg, rival Yankton and No. 3 Sioux Falls Roosevelt.
Continue reading...
With only one starter back from last season's Class AA state runner-up roster and three games in five days to tip off the schedule, the Kernels needed a collection of less experienced varsity players to adjust to larger roles, and quickly, in order to find success.
To that end, Owen Raml has been a much-needed spark for the Kernels.
Last season, Raml provided backcourt depth as a sophomore and steadily improved throughout the year. But in the first week of this season, the 6-foot-2 junior guard was among the best players on the floor at any given time.
Making his first varsity start at Watertown in Mitchell's season opener on Dec. 16, Raml paced MHS with 22 points to go with six rebounds and a steal. Though the Kernels let a late lead slip in a 59-55 overtime loss, the positive impression Raml's performance left with the coaching staff was clear.
"We felt really good about putting him out there, and he was a calming presence for us," said MHS head coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt after the game against the Arrows. "I'm happy for him. It was a good start."
One significant negative in Raml's first start was that he fouled out with just over a minute to play in regulation. Kreutzfeldt added that the Kernels felt the impact of Raml not being on the floor late due to his role in breaking pressure and the half-court offense.
Raml then maintained a high level of play through back-to-back wins against Rapid City Stevens and Rapid City Central. A year ago, Raml appeared in all 24 of the Kernels' games off the bench, scoring 69 total points. In three games so far this season, he's already up to 46 points, just two behind team leader and two-time all-state selection Colton Smith. Raml averaged 15.3 points and 4.7 rebounds per game in the first week of action.
It's a high standard to maintain, but one the Kernels will count on to have more success moving forward.
"We need him and maybe one or two other guys to continue to step up; otherwise, we're going to struggle," Kreutzfeldt said. "We have a lot of confidence in Owen, and he has a lot of confidence in himself, so I think he's going to keep getting better."
While the Kernels' personnel includes many fresh faces this season, what isn't new is the program's defensive tenacity.
After 99 games under fifth-year coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt, Mitchell owns a record of 79-20. A great deal of that success starts on defense, where the Kernels have improved every season, finishing 10th, fifth, fourth and third in points allowed per game, respectively.
Each of the past two seasons, Mitchell has allowed less than 50 points per game, and that could prove to be a key threshold once again.
Prior to the season, Kreutzfeldt gave his defense a vote of confidence, praising the Kernels' improvement on that end of the floor as the season neared and pointing out the roster's multiple standout individual defenders.
"I think we're going to be able to guard at least decently against most teams," Kreutzfeldt said. "I don't know if we're going to be able to outscore many teams."
Mitchell didn't give up more than 50 points in regulation to any of its first three opponents. Even with an overtime period factored in, the Kernels have allowed 49.7 points per contest, third-best in Class AA through three games.
The defensive effort has helped mask some growing pains on offense. In regulation, Mitchell has scored 50, 53 and 66 points in three games. Both offense and defense are soon to be put to the test, as Mitchell enters a difficult stretch of the schedule out of the holiday break.
The Kernels face high-flying out-of-state opponents at the Hoop City Classic in Jonesboro (Ga.) and Totino-Grace (Minn.), then jump back into South Dakota Class AA play with contests against No. 5-ranked Harrisburg, rival Yankton and No. 3 Sioux Falls Roosevelt.
Continue reading...
