Undefeated Kernels head into Miller Classic with momentum

The high-scoring and undefeated Mitchell High School boys basketball team enter the Fifth Annual Mike Miller Classic ready to face its toughest test yet.

Averaging 90.3 points per game in four wins over South Dakota opponents, the Kernels tipoff against an out-of-state opponent -- the DeLaSalle (Minn.) Islanders at 7:30 p.m. today in the "Coach Gary Munsen Tournament" at the Corn Palace.

"The entire team and staff are excited to be a part of the Mike Miller Classic once again as it is like a state tournament held in December," Mitchell head coach Erik Skoglund said Friday. "The atmosphere is always electric and there is a lot of tension on the teams. We are happy to have another game in front of the hometown crowd."

The Class AAA DeLaSalle Islanders (2-2) are averaging 73.8 points per game but feature a starting lineup full of Division I basketball recruits.

"Obviously, Mitchell has had a great start to this year and I have been impressed with how hard they play," DeLaSalle head coach Dave Thorson said. "I've been really impressed with Beau Brown and how they shoot the three-point ball really well. We know it's no easy task when you play Mitchell in the Corn Palace. That's got to be the worst draws in terms of home court advantage."

The Islanders' main threat will be University of Minnesota commit and senior point guard Jarvis Johnson.

"We're going to see a DeLaSalle that has won back-to-back-to-back state championship," Skoglund said. "There are going to be seniors on this Islander team that all they know is winning. We will see first-hand what that takes and what that is like on the court."

Joining Johnson as college commits are seniors Josh Collins, who is committed to the University of North Dakota, and Jeffrey Daubanton, a Briar Cliff commit. Senior small forward Sacar Anim is receiving offers from Drake University and the University of Northern Iowa, while sophomore forward Goanar Mar has offers from Iowa State and Nebraska.

"They have an outstanding big three," Skoglund said. "We are going to have our hands full."

While competing against tough competition in the Mike Miller Classic is nothing new for the Mitchell Kernels, Skoglund said his team is focused and working hard.

"We've had excellent practices full of energy," said Skoglund, whose team is ranked No. 5 in the Class AA polls. "Our team has gone from being excited about winning a couple games at the start the season, to knowing that we are a good team."

Led by senior guard Beau Brown, who is averaging 28.5 points per game, Skoglund said the Kernels are understanding what they need to do to keep improving.

"The excitement has worn off, and we will take a more business-type attitude, understanding with our defense and scoring we can be a very good team in the future," Skoglund said.

Each team will play the winner and loser of the Sioux Falls Washington vs. Evangelical Christian School (Tenn.) in the second round of the "Coach Gary Munsen Tournament" on Monday at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls.