Mitchell completed its long-awaited ascension atop Class AA hoops last season.

The Kernels captured the Class AA boys basketball championship, their first state title since 2005. Mitchell returns a host of playmakers, and was the No. 1 team in the preseason rankings. 

The Kernels received 13 of the 14 first-place votes and received 69 total points. Sioux Falls Washington and Sioux Falls Lincoln were second and third, respectively. Huron and Sioux Falls O’Gorman rounded out the top-five teams in the poll. 

Storylines to watch:

Can the Kernels repeat?: One season after a runner-up finish, Mitchell edged Brandon Valley by one point for the Class AA state championship. The Kernels are now atop the preseason rankings, and will get everybody’s best shot this season. Mitchell has enough back to make another strong postseason push, including first-team all-staters Markus Talley and Colton Smith. 

Who else will contend?: Class AA basketball is usually centered around the Sioux Falls-metro teams, and this year is no different. Sioux Falls Washington, Sioux Falls Lincoln and Sioux Falls O’Gorman were in the top-five rankings, and will be among the top contenders this season. 

Players to watch:

Note: These are players recognized on last season’s all-state basketball teams.

Markus Talley, Mitchell: A 6-foot-1 senior guard, Talley was a first-team all-state selection last season. The future Augustana University men’s basketball player averaged 16.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game last season.

Blake Ellwein, Huron: A 6-foot-9 junior guard/forward, Ellwein was a first-team all-stater last season, averaging 17.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game. The rising junior recruit has landed offers from a host of in-state schools, including Division I teams South Dakota State University and University of South Dakota. 

Colton Smith, Mitchell: A 6-foot-6 junior guard/forward, Smith averaged 18.3 points, nine rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. Smith was a first-team all-stater last season. 

Tommy Hoffman, Sioux Falls Washington: A 6-foot-2 senior guard, Hoffman averaged 13.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and four assists per game. Hoffman was a second-team all-stater last season. 

Ryan Heinert, Sturgis: A 6-foot-3 senior forward, Heinert scored 19.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Heinert was a second-team all-stater last season.

Landon Dulaney, Brandon Valley: A 6-foot-2 senior guard, Dulaney averaged eight points, 6.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Dulaney was an honorable mention all-stater last season. Dulaney will play college football at South Dakota State University.

Dayler Segrist, Rapid City Stevens: A 6-foot-3 senior guard, Segrist averaged 12.6 points, six rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. Segrist was an honorable mention all-state selection last season.