Ashlyn Koupal of Wagner High School was announced as the the 2026 South Dakota Miss Basketball award winner earlier this week. Koupal is the all-time leading scorer at Wagner High School with 2610 career points along with 1210 rebounds. She averaged 28.3 points per game in her senior season leading the Red Raiders to the state tournament for the fourth time in five years. She is a four-year all-state selection, five time all conference player and four time all tournament winner. Other finalists included: Alyvia Padgett of Brandon Valley HS, Ashlan Carlow-Blunt of Mahpiya Luta, Sydney Terveen of Sioux Falls Bishop O’Gorman HS and Addison Nuendorf of Hamlin HS.
Koupal accepting her award
Hansen Anderson basketball also announced Blake Ellwein of Huron High School as the 2026 South Dakota Mr. Basketball award winner. Ellwein is the all-time leading scorer at Huron High School with 1535 career points. He averaged 21.5 points per game in his senior season leading the Tigers to the state ‘AA’ tournament championship, shooting an impressive 25 for 27 from the free throw line over three days. He is a three time all-state selection, three time all conference player and three time all tournament award winner.
Other finalists included: Samuel DeGroot of Sioux Falls Lincoln HS, Marvin Richard III of Pine Ridge HS, Jackson Wadsworth of Hamlin HS and Will Kuhl of West Central HS. The award is voted on yearly by all boys’ basketball coaches in the state and was presented at a
ceremony at the Huron Arena on Thursday, May 14.
Ellwein receiving his award
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