Kernel boys basketball gears up for new season with increased urgency

Dec. 2—MITCHELL — As the Mitchell High School boys basketball program tipped off its first practices of the season on Monday, the Kernels did so with a heightened sense of urgency.

There's a lengthy to-do list to get through before MHS faces its first game action on Dec. 16, but a limited number of practices to work with.

The Kernels have three days of two-a-day practices to start the first week, plus a mid-week jamboree and their annual 'Meet the Kernels' scrimmage on Saturday.

In recent years, Mitchell has been able to lean on a steady stream of experience and continuity, but many new faces are set to take the court for the 2025-26 squad. As MHS head coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt explains, instead of preseason practices being used to clean up details ahead of the first game, this year's crew is still figuring out how to play together.

"We've got to really be efficient with our time," Kreutzfeldt said. "We're basically doing everything differently this year, installing new defense and new offense, so every minute is really important, and we're learning all the time."

With the shift in philosophy, the Kernels' practices have also taken on a different feel early on. In Monday's afternoon practice, transitions between drills and team sessions were quick, and the activity was intense and competitive throughout.

"I think we're just excited because nobody knows what their spot is right now, and that's even with me, too," said senior Colton Smith. "It really feels like the opportunities are open to anybody."

Those tweaks to practice are by design, as Kreutzfeldt and the coaching staff are hoping the team understands how different 2025-26 needs to be in order to keep the Kernels competitive at the top of Class AA.

"Those early-season practices last year were extremely difficult. As the defending champions, the practices were kind of low-energy, because that group of kids just needed to get to game action," Kreutzfeldt explained. "This group needs these practices and more time, so we're going about it a bit differently, especially here early."

Along with implementing new ideas on offense and defense, Kreutzfeldt and Smith both stressed how important it is for this collection of players to get more time on the court together. Though an entire offseason of basketball activities preceded the first few practices, the official start of team activities marked the start of a race the Kernels hope to run well into March.

There's plenty of work to be done to make sure the Kernels are game-ready when they head to Watertown for the season opener, but Kreutzfeldt is pleased with his team's early efforts.

"I was really impressed with our attitude and how we attacked (the changes). They've been willing to accept something different. When you play a certain way and have had the success we've had, it's easy to say, 'Why don't we just keep doing that?'" Kreutzfeldt said. "We're not very good at what we're doing yet, but we're trying hard, which is a good start. We've just got a long way to go."

The Meet the Kernels scrimmage is taking place on Saturday, Dec. 6 at Mitchell High School. Kernel teams request attendees bring a pack of Gatorade or Powerade for athletes to use for road games during the season. The ninth and 10th grade boys will scrimmage at 5 p.m., followed by the Kernel girls at 6:15 p.m. and the Kernel boys varsity at 7:30 p.m.