This week is a homecoming of sorts for Joey Mitchell.

The Wessington Springs coach will be making his first appearance on the sidelines of the Class B State Boys’ Basketball Tournament, but you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who has spent more time on the floor inside Wachs Arena.

When Mitchell walked into the facility for practice on Wednesday, it brought back a flood of memories.

 “It kind of reminded me of coming back home,” Mitchell said.

Mitchell was a standout player for Hitchcock-Tulare who played in numerous games at Wachs Arena, including the State B championship game in 2010.

He said his current players found photos of his playing days.

“I told them I almost played a full season here. Between regions and districts and state games, because that’s how it worked out back then,” Mitchell said. “We played every game here. It was like 19 games or something close to that total.”

While Mitchell will make his state tournament coaching debut this afternoon when the Spartans take on Wall at 1:45, he said he feels a bit more nervous being a coach than he did as a player.

“Probably the coaching, little more pressure,” Mitchell said. “For my kids this year, it’s been an injury-plagued year … Just thinking about it, I’m like well there is no more pressure. They kind of overcame all that.”

Mitchell, who has been around basketball his whole life, said there is something special about the State B tournament. The event features fans who have no specific team to cheer for, yet continue to flock to the tourney year after year.

“Even when I didn’t have a dog in the fight, I was done playing … we still found ourselves coming back here,” Mitchell said.

He said the atmosphere of the tournament in Aberdeen is unlike anything else he has experienced in the sport.

“There’s just nothing like it. … This is a basketball town, especially with Northern here and a basketball school,” Mitchell said. “All these little towns around within 40-45 minutes, everyone comes. The experience alone is just an unbelievable thing.”

Dave Vilhauer

CASTLEWOOD BENCH STRENGTH

There’s a reason why the NBA has a special award for the 6th Man of the Year. Often times, the first player off the bench plays a crucial role, even he doesn’t have a large amount of stats to go with it. That is especially true for top-seeded Castlewood, except the Warriors have two of them.

Senior Bennett Johnson and junior Tyson Manley don’t log a ton of stats, but have played a crucial role in the success of the Warriors.

“They don’t get a lot of minutes, but they’ve accepted their roles,” said Castlewood coach Paul Raasch. “They’ve been ready when called on and they’ve kind of grown into their roles.”

Even when they’re not called onto the floor, the two understand that doesn’t mean they can’t be locked into the game.

“You always be willing to hype people up,” said Manley. “Give high fives, help people out, cheer them up.”

“Oh, we get those boys going on the bench,” said Johnson.

When their numbers are called, they have a game plan going on the court. For Johnson, he looks to just run the offense and when the opportunities arise, he capitalizes.

“Kind of just run the offense. When the ball comes to me and I’m open, I’m gonna shoot it,” Johnson said. “But I look for Bryon (Laue) and Jame (Jamison Keszler) and get them involved more.”

Manley has a little bit of a different assignment when he checks into the game.

“Honestly, sit in the corner, shoot, and screen away for Jame (Jamison Keszler) and Rez (Kamden Keszler),” said Manley. “And give the ball to Bryon (Laue).”

Manley’s mom, Shanon, is currently undergoing a battle with cancer. The Castlewood coaches are wearing ribbons on their shoes in support of her.

With the final three games of his career coming up for Johnson, he is looking to finish his high school career on a high note.

“It feels good. All the time put in, hopefully we’re gonna get the job done,” said Johnson. “It’s super fun, you know. The last two years we made it, so this will be good.”

In a three-day tournament, you will no doubt see both Johnson and Manley play some crucial minutes at Wachs Arena.

“In a three-day tournament they’re going to play an important role,” said Raasch. “No doubt.”

Blake Clay

EYE ON THE BALL

One of Aberdeen Christian’s shortest players has come up big for the Knights during their postseason run.

Sophomore Dylan Hofer, a 5-foot-9 sophomore point guard, has collected a whopping 21 steals in his last three games.

“We’ve been picking up full-court press more,” Hofer said, “and that really opens it up to get more steals.”

Hofer said he anticipates passes instead of trying to reach out to grab the ball.

“Most of them are through anticipation I’d say,” Hofer said. “(If) it’s a long pass, I just anticipate it going there. I just jump up and grab it.”

Hofer, who set a school record with nine steals in a game and then matched that record, said the steals help lead to offense, which is big in postseason games.

“It gives us a lot more fast-break opportunities,” Hofer said, “and there’s not really much in the postseason, so that’s big.”

While the Knights have been in numerous state tourneys, it will be Hofer’s first chance to play in one.

“It was fun watching it,” he said, “so I can’t imagine how fun it’s going to be playing here.”

Hofer would like to add to his steal total during the next three days, but not for personal recognition.

“It matters because it will help us win the game,” Hofer said of getting steals, “but I don’t really care about the stats too much.”

Dave Vilhauer

Graff to help Spartans from the bench

Wessington Springs was no stranger to injuries throughout the year. Whether it was football season or woodshop class, the Spartans overcame the injuries to lock them in the four seed with a 21-2 record.

Unfortunately, the injury bug struck again hitting all-state guard Parker Graff, who tore his ACL in the region semifinal contest. The junior has yet to get surgery, but is looking to hit rehab hard to be ready for one last go next season.

“We kind of just talked about how it is span-wise, like the timeline,” said Graff. “We’re gonna really after surgery get rehab and get it ready for battle season.”

Knowing that he can’t help his team on the court, the junior is confident in his team’s ability to get the job done even when he’s not on the floor.

“It’s a little tough,” said Graff. “But I’m just glad when I’m out, guys can show up and play and still get the job done.”

Even though Parker won’t be able to score any points, he knows that there is still a crucial role to be played from the bench.

“That’s the main thing. I try to keep my guys’ heads up,” Graff said. “Especially some of them get down on themselves. I keep their confidence up so they’re still playing good.”

With the Spartans being back at Wachs Arena for the second year in a row, they are feeling more accustomed to the climate of State Bs.

“A lot more confident than last year. You know, a little nervous,” said Graff. “But yeah, we’re a little more confident. We’re gonna be focused, business trip, and we’ll be ready to play the first game.”

That first game for the Spartans is set for 1:45 this afternoon against a 17-6 Wall squad.

“They’re a good team,” Graff said, “but I trust my guys.”

Blake Clay