Vote for Argus Leader Athlete of the Week from March 16-21

Standout performances from the boys basketball state tournament

Mar. 23, 2026 at 10:05am

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The SDHSAA boys basketball state championships took place from March 19 to 21, and each team had its fair share of standouts on the quest for a state title. Here are the nominees for the Argus Leader's high school Athletes of the Week for March 16-21. ArgusLeader.com readers vote to decide this week's winner.

Why it matters

The Argus Leader's Athlete of the Week award recognizes the top high school sports performances in the region, celebrating the achievements of local student-athletes.

The details

Bylander, Clark, DeGroot, Deng, Kuhl, Larson, Mebius, and Shawd all had standout performances during the boys basketball state tournament. Bylander, Clark, and DeGroot led their teams in scoring, while Deng, Kuhl, Larson, Mebius, and Shawd put up impressive stat lines as well.

  • The SDHSAA boys basketball state championships took place from March 19 to 21, 2026.
  • Voting for the Argus Leader Athlete of the Week closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026.

The players

Bylander

A senior forward for No. 2 Sioux Falls Roosevelt who had 14 points against No. 7 Brandon Valley, 10 points against No. 3 Huron, and 15 points and six rebounds against No. 4 Harrisburg.

Clark

A senior guard for No. 6 O'Gorman who contributed 14 points against No. 3 Huron, 22 points on 9-for-13 shooting against No. 7 Brandon Valley, and nine points against No. 9 Tea Area.

DeGroot

The newest South Dakota Gatorade Player of the Year and the top scorer for No. 1 Sioux Falls Lincoln, with 21 points and 15 boards against No. 9 Tea Area, 24 points and five rebounds against No. 4 Harrisburg, and 20 points and eight boards against No. 3 Huron.

Deng

Scored 10 points against No. 2 Sioux Falls Roosevelt, nine points against No. 6 O'Gorman, and had 28 points and seven boards against No. 5 Watertown for No. 7 Brandon Valley.

Kuhl

Capped his career with No. 2 West Central with a Class A state title, recording 11 points and eight rebounds against No. 7 Cheyenne-Eagle Butte, 16 points and nine boards against No. 3 Clark/Willow Lake, and 15 points and four rebounds against No. 1 Sioux Falls Christian.

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What’s next

Voting for the Argus Leader Athlete of the Week closes at 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2026.

The takeaway

The boys basketball state tournament showcased the talent and dedication of high school athletes across South Dakota, with several standout performances that are now up for recognition through the Argus Leader Athlete of the Week award.