Travis Kriens/KORN News Radio Sports Director
MITCHELL, S.D. — A long-anticipated new chapter for Mitchell High School athletics will officially begin this week as the Kernels basketball teams take the floor for the first games inside the brand new high school gymnasium.
The Mitchell boys basketball team will christen the facility on Tuesday, Jan. 6, vs. Harrisburg at 7 p.m., marking the first varsity basketball contest ever played in the new building. The celebration continues Friday, Jan. 9, when both the boys and girls teams compete in a doubleheader against Yankton, beginning at 6 p.m.
The games come just months after the $62 million, 200,000-square-foot Mitchell High School opened its doors to students in August. The building features air conditioning throughout, which the old high school gym did not have, along with three gymnasiums, amenities that represent a major upgrade for both academics and activities.
For athletes, coaches and fans alike, the new gym has been a focal point of excitement since its completion. The athletic facilities were made possible after Mitchell School District voters overwhelmingly approved a $17 million bond issue in 2023, passing by an 82% margin — 2,888 votes in favor to 634 opposed — well above the 60% threshold required.
That bond paved the way for nearly 55,000 square feet of new athletic space, almost doubling what the previous high school offered. The additions include three gymnasiums of varying sizes, a wrestling and competitive dance room, new locker rooms and a weight room. The main competition gym seats up to 2,300 spectators, while an auxiliary gym can accommodate about 1,200.
Mitchell boys head coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt said the first game in the new gym brings mixed emotions, particularly given the long tradition of Kernels basketball at the Corn Palace.
“No matter which side of the fence you fall on, there’s some feeling of wanting to both at the same time,” Kreutzfeldt said. “The Corn Palace is awesome with all the history, the great memories, the banners. But the new high school has been great and the community made such a big sacrifice to have a new facility. You want their money to be put to work, too.”
Kreutzfeldt said players have had varied reactions, but overall excitement is growing as game day approaches.
“You don’t know what it’s going to feel like,” he said. “Once we play some games at the high school, we’ll have a better idea. Most of the kids I’ve talked to have been excited about it. Some still want to play at the Palace, but a lot of them think the energy and environment in the new gym is going to be a lot better.”
Beyond game nights, Kreutzfeldt said practicing at the high school has already made a significant difference.
“We can’t believe how much easier things have been,” he said. “It’s the simple things — not having to get in your car and drive to practice, having our jerseys where we practice instead of hauling them back and forth. That’s 30 minutes of your day you get back. In the time we’ve practiced, we’ve been able to get done triple the amount of work.”
Mitchell girls head coach Dave Brooks echoed those sentiments, noting the convenience for student-athletes.
“It has made life a lot easier,” Brooks said. “The kids just roll out of class, down to the locker rooms and they go. It just makes for a nice, smooth transition.”
Brooks also expects the atmosphere to quickly come alive once fans fill the seats.
“We’re thinking it’s going to get pretty loud when the games get going,” he said. “That will be a nice atmosphere.”
Coverage starts at 6 pm on Tuesday with the KORNer Booth pregame, followed by tip off at 7 pm on KORN News Radio FM 101.3/AM 1490 and KORNRadio.com