MITCHELL, S.D. – Mitchell head boys basketball coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt has been named the Region 7 Coach of the Year, as selected by the South Dakota Basketball Coaches Association.
Kreutzfeldt led the Kernels to a 15-9 record and a 6th place finish at the Class AA State Tournament last month in Sioux Falls in his first year as head coach.
The former Mitchell Kernel was named head coach in July 2021, after the departure of Todd Neuendorf.
Under Kreutzfeldt, Mitchell had one of the top offenses in the state, averaging a Class AA best 63.8 points per game.
Senior Caden Hinker was also named the Class AA Boys Player of the Year, averaging 22.2 points, 9.2 rebounds 3.3 assists and 1.5 blocks per game.
North Central Region 1
Girls head coach: Steve Sawinsky, Herreid-Selby Area
Boys assistant coach: Trent Kurtz, Aberdeen Central
Girls assistant coach: Becky Erickson, Groton Area
Region 1-4
Lower level boys coach: Pat Kraning, Hamlin Education Center
Lower level girls coach: Wendy Rausch, Potter County
Northeast Region 2
Boys assistant coach: Buster Vincent, Sioux Valley
Girls assistant coach: Jaime Neuendorf, Hamlin
Central Region 3
Boys head coach: Brian LaRoche, Lower Brule
Girls head coach (Tie): Tim Buddenhagen, Huron; Tom McGough, Miller
Boys assistant coach: Andrew Tuttle, Potter County
Girls assistant coach: Wade Stobbs, Huron
Northwest Region 4
Girls head coach: Brandon Kandolin, St. Thomas More
Boys assistant coach: Adam Courtney, Rapid City Christian
Girls assistant coach: Jennifer Reiners, Spearfish
Southeast Region 5
Boys head coach: Mitch Begeman, Sioux Falls Roosevelt
Girls head coach: Kent Kolsrud, O’Gorman
Boys assistant coach: Ray Slaba, Hanson
Girls assistant coach: Brook Begeman, Sioux Falls Christian
Region 5-8
Lower level boys coach: Kenedy Koepsell, Howard Middle School
Lower level girls coach: Pete Egstad, Ben Reifel Middle School
South Region 6
Boys head coach: Jason Kleis, Dakota Valley
Girls head coach: Molly Mason, Viborg-Hurley
Boys assistant coach: Jeff Neuharth, Elk Point-Jefferson
Girls assistant coach (Tie): Dana Bigge, Harrisburg; Amy Long, Yankton
Southwest Region 7
Boys head coach: Ryker Kreutzfeldt, Mitchell
Girls head coach: Michael Koupal, Wagner
Boys assistant coach: Lonnie Klundt, Gregory
Girls assistant coach: Mandy Koupal, Wagner
South Central Region 8
Boys head coach: Brett Gardner, Winner
Girls head coach: John Hess, Wall
Boys assistant coach: Justice Morrison, White River
Girls assistant coach: Keely Connot, Winner