In a moment that cements his legacy as one of South Dakota's premier high school basketball talents, Huron senior Blake Ellwein has been named the state's 2026 Mr. Basketball. The prestigious award, presented annually by Hansen Anderson Basketball, recognizes the top senior boys basketball player in the state—and Ellwein, a South Dakota State University recruit, has earned that honor in emphatic fashion.

Ellwein's recognition comes at the conclusion of a thrilling 2026 state tournament weekend, where several teams left it all on the court at the Summit Arena and Ice Arena inside The Monument in Rapid City. The action was intense, the stakes high, and the performances unforgettable—a true showcase of the talent that makes South Dakota high school basketball so special.

Among the standout teams, Clark-Willow Lake closed out a 21-4 season with a fourth-place finish in the Class A tournament after a hard-fought battle on Saturday, March 21. Meanwhile, Hamlin High School secured a third-place finish, capping a 22-4 campaign with a gritty performance. In the third-place game, Hamlin's Trig Heinrich went up for a shot against Clark-Willow Lake's Bo Begeman, while Boden Stevenson faced pressure from Jakob Steen—moments that defined the competitive spirit of the day.

In Class AA action, Watertown's Jackson McClemans battled for a rebound against Brandon Valley's Brayden Knutson during the consolation championship, with teammates Jack Mack and Ayuel Deng also making their presence felt. Groton Area capped a 19-6 season by winning the seventh-place game, with Karson Zak locking down defensively against Stanley County's Eddie Duffy.

From the opening tip to the final buzzer, this year's state tournament delivered unforgettable drama—and Ellwein's Mr. Basketball award is the perfect capstone to a season that showcased the very best of South Dakota high school hoops. Whether you're a player, coach, or fan, moments like these remind us why we love the game.