Episode 22 - "A Conversation with South Dakota's 2026 Mr. & Miss Basketball"

In Episode 22 of the State of Hoops, Todd and Nate sit down with South Dakota’s 2026 Mr. & Miss Basketball winners, Ashlyn Koupal of Wagner and Blake Ellwein of Huron, for an unforgettable conversation about family, community, work ethic, and the journeys that led them to becoming two of the most celebrated players in state history. The episode dives into the significance of the South Dakota Mr. & Miss Basketball awards, the role Ashlyn and Blake's families and hometown communities played in their development, and the behind-the-scenes work that fueled their success. During the conversation, Ashlyn and Blake also share favorite state tournament memories, leadership lessons, recruiting experiences, rapid-fire “Give and Go” answers, and advice for the next generation of South Dakota hoopers. It’s a celebration of two historic careers and a powerful reminder of what makes South Dakota basketball special. The State of Hoops Podcast – Season 1 Sponsors include the following companies and organizations: South Dakota High School Basketball Hall of Fame • Tiefenthaler Homes with Hegg Real Estate • Park Bench Apparel • Charles Schwab – Sioux Falls (Lonnie Struckman & Zach Hanson, Financial Consultants) • and Insight. Basketball fans across South Dakota are encouraged to reach out and engage with the podcast via e-mail at [email protected] and on the following social media platforms:*YouTube: @StateofHoopsPodcast *Instagram: @state_of_hoops_podcast *X: @StateofHoopsPod