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Mar. 28—MITCHELL — Capping one of the most accomplished careers in Mitchell High School boys basketball history, senior Colton Smith earned a place on the Class AA all-state second team.
This season, Smith posted 17.3 points per game at a 49.1% shooting clip to go with 9.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest, leading the Kernels in all five major statistical categories. Along the way, the 6-foot-5 forward/guard recorded 11 double-doubles and scored at least 20 points six times.
As selected by the South Dakota Basketball Coaches Association, the all-state boys basketball teams were announced on Saturday. This year marked the third consecutive year Smith was named as an all-state performer, adding to a 2023-24 first-team nod and a 2024-25 second-team pick. Notably, Smith was also recognized as a Class 11AA all-state football player last fall following his lone high school season on the gridiron.
For his prep career, Smith amassed 1,331 points, the third-most in program history, as well as 743 rebounds, 225 assists, 111 steals and 94 blocked shots across 98 games.
"Colton put together one of the best careers in our program's history, and his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor has played a huge role in our success during his time as Kernel," said MHS coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt. "His name will be etched in the Kernel record books for a very long time."
The Class AA boys basketball all-state honors were headlined by player of the year Sam DeGroot, of Sioux Falls Lincoln, who landed on the first team for the second year in a row. The 6-foot-7 senior wing, who was also named the South Dakota Gatorade player of the year last week, put up 20.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game for the Patriots, who went 23-1.
Joining DeGroot on the Class AA first team were Lincoln teammate Brody Schafer, Huron's Blake Ellwein, Tea Area's Gavin Shawd, Harrisburg's Stellen Larson and Watertown's Carter Buisker.
Ellwein, a 6-foot-10 senior guard, led Huron to the Class AA state title behind 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Behind Ellwein, a three-time all-state first-teamer, the Tigers finished the season 20-4 and handed Lincoln its only loss of the season in the Class AA state title game in Rapid City.
Shawd was one of the breakout stars in Class AA, averaging 21.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game for the Titans. The 6-foot-1 junior guard helped boost Tea Area to its first-ever Class AA state tournament appearance.
Larson nearly averaged a double-double at 14.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game for the state semifinalist Tigers. The 6-foot-3 senior forward is an all-state pick for the first time.
Buisker, a 6-foot-3 senior guard, was a catalyst for a 12-win turnaround for the Arrows, who went from six wins last season to 18 victories and a fifth-place state tournament finish. He notched 18.8 points, 3.9 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game to earn his first all-state pick.
Schafer, regarded as the engine of Lincoln's top-ranked offense, added 9.8 points, 6.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game for the Patriots. The 6-foot junior guard was also a second-team pick last season.
Alongside Smith on the Class AA second team were Huron junior Davis Chase, Brandon Valley senior Ayuel Deng, Lincoln's Sam Ericsson, Sioux Falls Jefferson's Colby Nuttbrock and Tea Area's Grifin Wiebenga. Last season, Ericsson was a first-team selection and Wiebenga was on the second team.
Honorable mentions included Watertown senior Jackson McClemans, O'Gorman senior Mason Clark, Sioux Falls Roosevelt seniors Memphis Bylander and Justin Bilal, Sturgis senior Hayden Rock and Brookings senior Bergan Tetzlaff.
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This season, Smith posted 17.3 points per game at a 49.1% shooting clip to go with 9.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.1 blocks per contest, leading the Kernels in all five major statistical categories. Along the way, the 6-foot-5 forward/guard recorded 11 double-doubles and scored at least 20 points six times.
As selected by the South Dakota Basketball Coaches Association, the all-state boys basketball teams were announced on Saturday. This year marked the third consecutive year Smith was named as an all-state performer, adding to a 2023-24 first-team nod and a 2024-25 second-team pick. Notably, Smith was also recognized as a Class 11AA all-state football player last fall following his lone high school season on the gridiron.
For his prep career, Smith amassed 1,331 points, the third-most in program history, as well as 743 rebounds, 225 assists, 111 steals and 94 blocked shots across 98 games.
"Colton put together one of the best careers in our program's history, and his ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor has played a huge role in our success during his time as Kernel," said MHS coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt. "His name will be etched in the Kernel record books for a very long time."
The Class AA boys basketball all-state honors were headlined by player of the year Sam DeGroot, of Sioux Falls Lincoln, who landed on the first team for the second year in a row. The 6-foot-7 senior wing, who was also named the South Dakota Gatorade player of the year last week, put up 20.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game for the Patriots, who went 23-1.
Joining DeGroot on the Class AA first team were Lincoln teammate Brody Schafer, Huron's Blake Ellwein, Tea Area's Gavin Shawd, Harrisburg's Stellen Larson and Watertown's Carter Buisker.
Ellwein, a 6-foot-10 senior guard, led Huron to the Class AA state title behind 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Behind Ellwein, a three-time all-state first-teamer, the Tigers finished the season 20-4 and handed Lincoln its only loss of the season in the Class AA state title game in Rapid City.
Shawd was one of the breakout stars in Class AA, averaging 21.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game for the Titans. The 6-foot-1 junior guard helped boost Tea Area to its first-ever Class AA state tournament appearance.
Larson nearly averaged a double-double at 14.3 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game for the state semifinalist Tigers. The 6-foot-3 senior forward is an all-state pick for the first time.
Buisker, a 6-foot-3 senior guard, was a catalyst for a 12-win turnaround for the Arrows, who went from six wins last season to 18 victories and a fifth-place state tournament finish. He notched 18.8 points, 3.9 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game to earn his first all-state pick.
Schafer, regarded as the engine of Lincoln's top-ranked offense, added 9.8 points, 6.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game for the Patriots. The 6-foot junior guard was also a second-team pick last season.
Alongside Smith on the Class AA second team were Huron junior Davis Chase, Brandon Valley senior Ayuel Deng, Lincoln's Sam Ericsson, Sioux Falls Jefferson's Colby Nuttbrock and Tea Area's Grifin Wiebenga. Last season, Ericsson was a first-team selection and Wiebenga was on the second team.
Honorable mentions included Watertown senior Jackson McClemans, O'Gorman senior Mason Clark, Sioux Falls Roosevelt seniors Memphis Bylander and Justin Bilal, Sturgis senior Hayden Rock and Brookings senior Bergan Tetzlaff.
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