The Class AA all-state boys basketball team offers a little bit of everything. 

The team, which was chosen by the South Dakota Basketball Coaches Association, is headlined by six first-team members that all bring something different to the table. 

The first team consists of Mitchell’s Caden Hinker, Sioux Falls Roosevelt’s Marcus Phillips, Sioux Falls Washington’s Mikele Kambalo, Pierre’s Lincoln Kienholz, Watertown’s Drew Norberg and Sioux Falls O’Gorman’s David Alpers III. 

Hinker, a 6-foot-8 do-it-all forward, is the Class AA Player of the Year and is making his third consecutive all-state team. He’s been a first-team selection two years in a row, while he earned second-team honors in 2020. This season, Hinker guided Mitchell to its second consecutive Class AA state tournament berth and again garnered all-tourney honors. At the state tourney, he was the recipient of the prestigious Spirit of Su award. 

This season, Hinker averaged 21.8 points, 8.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists and threw down countless jaw-dropping slam dunks. Hinker finished his career with 1,646 career points, the second most in Kernel history behind only Mike Miller and the sixth most in Class AA boys basketball history. He also set the school record for most career assists with 297. Hinker will play basketball next season at Augustana University. 

It’s the first all-state selection for Phillips, who guided Roosevelt to its second consecutive Class AA state championship and first perfect season in AA since Lincoln in 2009. A 6-foot-6 high-flying forward/center, Phillips was an all-tourney selection and scored a game-high 16 points in the title win over O’Gorman. This season, Phillips averaged 15.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and hammered down a number of slam dunks. He will play baseball next season at Iowa Western Community College.  

Kambalo lands on the first team for the second straight season. A 5-foot-9 lightning quick point guard, Kambalo powered Washington to a third-place finish at the state tournament. The senior earned all-tourney honors and averaged a team-high 22 points at state, including 34 points in a third-place win over Harrisburg. This season, Kambalo registered 18.4 points and four rebounds per game, while swiping 36 steals. 

Kienholz was also selected to his second consecutive all-state first team. Kienholz, a 6-foot-3 versatile guard, did just about everything for the Governors. This season, the junior guard averaged 19.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, recorded 36 steals and a number of slam dunks. He scored his 1,000th career point this season. A three-sport athlete, Kienholz is receiving heavy interest from colleges for basketball, football and baseball. 

Norberg lands on his first all-state team after a high-scoring career. A 6-foot-2 shooting guard, Norberg regularly pumped in double-digit games for Watertown. This season, the senior guard averaged 21.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.4 assists for the Arrows.  

Alpers III earned his first all-state selection after leading the Knights to a runner-up finish. A 6-foot-6 senior center, Alpers III lifted O’Gorman into the title game with a buzzer-beating jump shot in the semifinals and earned all-tourney honors. This season, he logged 12.2 points and 9.3 rebounds per game. Alpers III will play football next season at South Dakota State University. 

2021-22 Class AA All-State Boys Basketball Team

Chosen by the South Dakota Basketball Coaches Association

CLASS AA

First Team

Caden Hinker, Mitchell, 6-8, sr., G-F (21.8 points per game, 8.8 rebounds per game, 3.3 assists per game)

Marcus Phillips, SF Roosevelt, 6-6, sr., F-C (15.8 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 3.3 apg)

Mikele Kambalo, SF Washington, 5-9, sr., G (18.4 ppg, 4 rpg, 36 steals)

Lincoln Kienholz, Pierre, 6-3, jr., G (19.9 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 36 steals)

Drew Norberg, Watertown, 6-2, sr., G (21.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 3.4 apg)

David Alpers III, SF O’Gorman, 6-6, sr., C (12.2 ppg, 9.3 rpg)

Second Team

Micah Johnson, SF Roosevelt, 5-11, sr., G (14.5 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 3.3 apg)

Ethan Determan, Harrisburg, 6-2, jr., G (20 ppg, 4.1 rpg)

Matt Eng, SF O’Gorman, 6-2, jr., G (16.8 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.3 apg)

Kaden Year, SF Jefferson, 6-6, jr., F (16 ppg, 6 rpg, 3 apg)

Taylen Ashley, SF Jefferson, 6-0, jr., G (14 ppg, 4 rpg, 5 apg)

Sam Rohlfs, Aberdeen Central, 6-4, sr., G (12.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 3.6 apg)

• Repeat Selections — 2021 (Hinker, first team; Kambalo and Kienholz, second team); 2020 (Hinker, second team).