MITCHELL — The Mitchell High School boys’ basketball team achieved a remarkable comeback victory against the No. 5-ranked Harrisburg on March 5, 2024, winning 69-68 in overtime. Despite trailing for the entire game, the Kernels secured their first lead with a buzzer-beater from Owen Raml, marking a significant moment in the program’s history at the new MHS Gym.
Throughout the regulation and overtime periods, Mitchell did not lead until the final seconds. Head coach Ryker Kreutzfeldt expressed his astonishment at the game, stating, “You basically have no chance of winning toward the end, and then you just… I don’t even know how we did that. … That was a wave of emotions.”
With just 6.8 seconds remaining in regulation, Harrisburg held a narrow 68-67 lead but missed two crucial free throws. Raml capitalized on the opportunity, grabbing the rebound and driving down the court. He expertly maneuvered past two Harrisburg defenders before sinking a jump shot just inside the 3-point line as time expired. Raml’s teammates quickly surrounded him in celebration at midcourt.
“Coach told me to get it and go, and I did,” Raml reflected on the decisive play. He finished the game with a commanding tally of 25 points and 13 rebounds, showcasing his critical role in the Kernels’ stunning turnaround.
The victory was particularly sweet for Mitchell, as Harrisburg had previously led by as many as 17 points in the second half. With 70 seconds left in regulation, Harrisburg seemed to be in control with a 12-point advantage at 56-44. However, a pivotal four-point play from Carter McCormick sparked the Kernels’ resurgence, narrowing the gap to 56-48.
Kreutzfeldt highlighted that moment as a turning point: “I don’t know what it cut it to… but that’s when it felt like, ‘Whoa, wait a second here. This isn’t quite over yet.’ Big-time shot by that kid.”
As Harrisburg struggled to maintain their lead, missing free throws and committing turnovers, Mitchell seized the moment. Raml converted a traditional three-point play, and Colton Smith contributed a two-point basket, followed by another three-pointer from McCormick, bringing the score to 57-56 with just 16 seconds left in regulation.
The Tigers managed to split their free throws, giving Mitchell one final opportunity. On their last possession, Smith found Owen Schelske under the basket for a layup, tying the game for the first time and sending it into overtime.
“Everyone on that bench… we’ve all been in this kind of pressure,” Smith said. “We can stay calm in these situations because everyone’s been a part of this before, either playing or watching it.”
In the overtime period, Harrisburg initially maintained an advantage, leading 68-64 with 1:13 left on the clock. However, Raml’s determination shone through as he scored the final five points of the game, sealing the Kernels’ comeback.
Mitchell had to contend with a strong first-half performance from Harrisburg, who shot an impressive 11-for-14 from beyond the arc in the first half, including a perfect 7-for-7 in the second quarter. However, their shooting percentage declined significantly in the second half and overtime, finishing at 31% from the field.
Raml shared his thoughts on the team’s resilience, stating, “I can’t speak for everybody, but I know I wanted to keep going, keep fighting. I guess my teammates did too, and I’m glad. This was a team effort.”
This victory marked the end of a 1,752-day winless streak against Harrisburg in boys’ basketball, a significant milestone for both Kreutzfeldt and the team. “I was just so sick of losing to them,” Kreutzfeldt admitted. “They’re a good team, and they just had our number.”
The Kernels will return to their new home court for a doubleheader against Yankton, scheduled to begin at 18:00.
