Mitchell High boys basketball team wins close game against SF Washington

Defensive stop in final seconds seals victory for Kernels on the road

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The Mitchell High School boys basketball team defeated Sioux Falls Washington 52-49 on Tuesday night, with a key defensive stop in the final seconds of the game proving to be the difference. Mitchell led by one point with 5.6 seconds remaining when Lincoln Bottum came away with a steal on a Washington inbound pass to secure the victory for the Kernels.

Why it matters

This close win on the road against a tough opponent demonstrates the resilience and defensive prowess of the Mitchell High basketball team, which will be important as they continue their season and aim for postseason success.

The details

With Mitchell leading 52-51 and 5.6 seconds left, Washington had one last chance to inbound the ball and potentially take the lead. But Mitchell's Lincoln Bottum came up with a crucial steal to deny Washington a final shot attempt and preserve the Kernels' narrow victory.

  • The game took place on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • Mitchell led by one point with 5.6 seconds remaining in the game.

The players

Lincoln Bottum

A player for the Mitchell High School boys basketball team who made the game-sealing defensive play in the final seconds.

Mitchell High School boys basketball team

The high school basketball team from Mitchell, South Dakota that defeated Sioux Falls Washington 52-49 in a close road game.

Sioux Falls Washington

The high school basketball team from Sioux Falls, South Dakota that lost a close 52-49 game to Mitchell High School.

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The takeaway

This narrow victory on the road against a tough opponent demonstrates the defensive intensity and resilience of the Mitchell High School boys basketball team, which will serve them well as they continue their season and aim for postseason success.