MITCHELL – The Mitchell High School girls basketball team won two consecutive games for the first time this season.
The Kernels (3-6) made a 16-3 run in the second quarter to help beat Sturgis 56-38 at the Corn Palace on Friday night.
The team shot 41 percent from the field and forced Sturgis to commit 18 turnovers, but was led by Sawyer Stoebner’s all-around game of 24 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals. It was Stoebner’s second 20-point and five rebound performance of the season.
“I was really proud of Sawyer tonight, she did a great job of getting to the rim,” Mitchell head coach Cole Knippling said. “She got herself going early, got a couple steals and turned the corner early. She always was hunting out the rim, she didn’t settle.”
1/69: Mitchell's Kadence Halvorson takes a selfie during a player introductions during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
2/69: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner wins the opening tip-off during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
3/69: Mitchell's Sarah Sebert shoots during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
4/69: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner wins the opening tip-off during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
5/69: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner goes to the basket as Sturgis' Tatum Ligtenberg (24) defends during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
6/69: Mitchell's Lauren Van Overschelde shoots during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
7/69: Mitchell's Maddie Kempf looks to pass during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
8/69: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner goes up for a layup in front of Sturgis' Taylor Price (3) during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
9/69: Mitchell's Maddie Kempf fights her way to the basket during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
10/69: Mitchell's Taylor Giblin goes to the basket around a Sturgis defender during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
11/69: Mitchell's Maddie Kempf draws the foul on Sturgis' Reese Ludwick (32) on the way up to the basket during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
12/69: Mitchell's Kaitlyn Christensen goes around Sturgis' Reese Ludwick (32) to the basket during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
13/69: Mitchell's Kaitlyn Christensen goes around Sturgis' Reese Ludwick (32) to the basket during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
14/69: Mitchell's Taylor Giblin goes to the basket past Sturgis' Taylor Price (3) during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
15/69: The Kernels bench celebrates a basket during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
16/69: Mitchell's Kaitlyn Christensen goes around Sturgis' Reese Ludwick (32) to the basket during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
17/69: The Kernels bench celebrates a basket during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
18/69: The Kernels bench celebrates a basket during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
19/69: Mitchell's Sarah Sebert is fouled from behind dribbling in the lane past Sturgis' Reese Ludwick (32) during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
20/69: Mitchell Head Coach Cole Knippling claps out for a tigher defensive coverage during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
21/69: Kernel cheerleaders celebrate a free throw during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
22/69: Mitchell's Sarah Sebert makes her way through the Sturgis defense for a basket during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
23/69: Mitchell's Taylor Giblin shoots a basket during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
24/69: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner goes to the basket past a Sturgis defender during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
25/69: Mitchell's Kaitlyn Christensen splits a pair of Sturgis defenders to the basket during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
26/69: First and second grade future kernels play basketball at half time during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
27/69: First and second grade future kernels play basketball at half time during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
28/69: The crowd applauds a basket as first and second grade future kernels play basketball at half time during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
29/69: First and second grade future kernels play basketball at half time during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
30/69: Substitutions wait for the buzzer to go in during a game between the Kernels against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
31/69: Kernel cheerleaders perform during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
32/69: Mitchell's Maddie Kempf passes the ball over Sturgis' Addisyn Jolley (5) during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
33/69: Kernel cheerleaders during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
34/69: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner goes to the basket past a Sturgis defender during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
35/69: Mitchell's Kaitlyn Christensen goes up for a basket as Sturgis' Tatum Ligtenberg (24) defends during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
36/69: Mitchell's Kaitlyn Christensen goes to the basket in front of a trio of Sturgis defenders during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
37/69: Mitchell's Maddie Kempf grabs a loose ball in front of a Sturgis defender during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
38/69: Mitchell's Lauren Van Overschelde dribbles to the basket during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
39/69: Mitchell's Maddie Kempf grabs a loose ball in front of a Sturgis defender during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
40/69: The Kernel bench celebrates a basket during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
41/69: The Kernel bench during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
42/69: Mitchell's Delaney Degen brings the ball up the court during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
43/69: Mitchell's Keira Hofer brings the ball up the court during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
44/69: The Kernel bench during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
45/69: The Kernels huddle up prior to a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
46/69: Mitchell's Delaney Zoss looks for an outlet to pass to as Sturgis' Katelyn Bush (42) defends during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
47/69: Mitchell's Lauren Van Overschelde has crown put on her head during player introductions during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
48/69: Mitchell Head Coach Cole Knippling talks to his players before the national anthem during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
49/69: Mitchell's Sarah Sebert fights her way to the basket around a Sturgis defender during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
50/69: Kernel cheerleaders during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
51/69: Mitchell's Lauren Van Overschelde and Mitchell's Sarah Sebert scramble for a loose ball among a pair of Sturgis defenders during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
52/69: First and second grade future kernels play basketball at half time during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
53/69: Students watch as first and second grade future kernels play basketball at half time during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
54/69: First and second grade future kernels play basketball at half time during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
55/69: First and second grade future kernels play basketball at half time during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
56/69: First and second grade future kernels play basketball at half time during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
57/69: First and second grade future kernels play basketball at half time during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
58/69: First and second grade future kernels play basketball at half time during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
59/69: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner goes up for a loose ball along with Mitchell's Addie Siemsen and Sturgis' Tatum Ligtenberg (24)during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
60/69: First and second grade future kernels wait to play basketball at half time during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
61/69: Mitchell's Addie Siemsen deflects a pass by Sturgis' Kaylee Whatley (23) during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
62/69: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner goes up for a loose ball along with Mitchell's Addie Siemsen and Sturgis' Tatum Ligtenberg (24)during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
63/69: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner steals the ball from Sturgis' Kenna Goebel (31) during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
64/69: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner steals the ball from Sturgis' Kenna Goebel (31) during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
65/69: Mitchell's Maddie Kempf forces a loose ball on Sturgis' Reese Ludwick (32) as Mitchell's Kaitlyn Christensen also defends during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
66/69: Mitchell's Sarah Sebert brings the ball up the court following the steal on Sturgis' Taylor Price (3) during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
67/69: Mitchell's Lauren Van Overschelde defends Sturgis' Taylor Price (3) during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
68/69: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner steals the ball from Sturgis' Kenna Goebel (31) during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
69/69: Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner steals the ball from Sturgis' Kenna Goebel (31) during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
Stoebner indeed got herself going early in the game, scoring two left-handed layups within the first minute of the game for the Kernels. Stoebner was responsible for 11 of the team’s 18 first quarter points as she made four layups and had one cross-court assist to Sarah Sebert in the corner for a 3-pointer.
ADVERTISEMENT
She kept pace in the second quarter as well. On the first possession of the second quarter, she had a steal on the defensive end, which resulted in another 3-pointer for Sebert. Stoebner went 6-for-9 from the field in the first half, along with three steals and three rebounds.
“Sawyer’s vision is just improving with every game,” Knippling said. “She found Sarah for a couple of early three’s and you can tell she’s starting to feel more comfortable in that point guard role. She did a great job and she looked like a big time player tonight.”
Mitchell's Sawyer Stoebner goes to the basket past a Sturgis defender during a game on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
Matt Gade/Mitchell Republic
Stoebner and Sebert combined for 24 of the team’s 34 first half points, along with six steals. Sebert went a perfect 3-for-3 from 3-point range, all assisted by Stoebner.
At the start of the second half, Sturgis went on an early 11-0 run in the first two and a half minutes of the third quarter. During that run, Mitchell committed five turnovers and the Scoopers managed to cut the lead to five. It wasn’t until a Stoebner free throw with 3:57 left in the third quarter ended the Kernels four minute drought of no points.
“For whatever reason, this stuff continues to happen,” Knippling said. “We took a chance and we let them hit that first shot. Any time you let a team score on that first possession, it kind of gives them a jolt. We turned it over as well and got a little careless, but what was better this time is that we responded and won the rest of the quarter.”
After making the first free throw and missing the second, Stoebner managed to get her own rebound and get an easy layup to put the Kernels back up seven. Stoebner would go on to score two more layups of her own and have back-to-back assists to Addie Siemsen for a layup and a 3-pointer to extend the lead back to 16.
Mitchell would go on to take its largest lead of the evening of 23 with 4:26 remaining in the fourth quarter to cruise to its third win of the season.
The Kernels bench celebrates a basket during a game against Sturgis on Friday, January 21, 2022 at the Corn Palace.
Matt Gade/Mitchell Republic
Sebert finished with 13 points and a team-high four steals. Taylor Giblin and Kaitlyn Christensen added six points each while Addie Siemsen chipped in with five points.
ADVERTISEMENT
Tatum Ligtenberg led Sturgis with 13 points, three rebounds and two steals. Reese Ludwick had six points and a game-high seven rebounds while Lexi Long had six points as well.
Mitchell will host Spearfish on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Mitchell Christian. Sturgis travels to Huron on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. in the Huron Arena.
Branden is a sports reporter that graduated from Purdue University Northwest with a bachelor's degree in communications and a focus in journalism. He joined the Mitchell Republic in June 2021 and covers prep and collegiate athletics. He was also the lead on the Mitchell Republic Full-Court Press, providing a weekly web-exclusive look at high school basketball throughout all of South Dakota. Branden can be reached at bhull@mitchellrepublic.com and found on Twitter at @bhullreports.
