Hansen Anderson Basketball announces the 2023-24 Mr. & Miss Basketball
For the forty-seventh year Hansen-Anderson will name Mr. Basketball as selected by the state’s basketball coaches.
Each year in South Dakota more than 3,500 young men and women play varsity basketball. Of that group, roughly one thousand four hundred are seniors. Hansen Anderson Basketball recognizes just 22 of these seniors, or about two tenths of one percent who have been chosen by the state’s coaches to be considered for the title of Miss or Mr. Basketball. Clearly this is an elite group!
Mahli Abdouch
Bishop O’Gorman High School
Coach: Kent Kolsrud
Height: 5’8
Position: Point Guard
Key Stats: 16.3 Points Per Game, 3.1, Rebs Per Game, 3.4 Assists P/G, 3.4 Steals, 49.5 Shooting %
Team Record: 24-0, State Champions Class AA
Parents Names: Tasha & Matt Abdouch
“Mahli has had an amazing career for the O’Gorman Knights!” Her competitive fire, work ethic, skill level and drive to be successful has been incredible. She has earned great respect from all her teammates and coaches who love her passion for the game. Her leadership along with her fellow senior teammates were instrumental in guiding the Knights to a 24-0 record and the 2024 Class AA State Championship!” – Coach Kent Kolsrud
If there is a basketball honor Mahli has probably earned it - Three Time All State 1st Team, Four Time Class AA All-Tournament team, Three time All Metro 1st Team, AA Player of the Year 22/23 Season, Class AA State Champions 2022, Class AA 3rd place 2021, Class AA Consolation Champion 2023, Class AA State Champions 2024, 1261 career points- 2nd leading scorer in O’Gorman history, 249 career steals- Leading steals holder in O’Gorman history, 362 career assists most in O’Gorman history, 163 3-point goals most in O’Gorman history, McDonald’s All-American Nominee, Max Preps Player of the Year- 2024, SD Coaches Association AA Player of the Year 23/24 season, Sioux Falls Live Player of the Year 2024 - Sioux Falls Live, Midco Sports Player of the Year AA, Argus Leader Sports POY all classes and played in the 3 Class Shoot-Out & the Pentagon All-Star games.
An excellent student, Mahli was named to the 2024 Academic All-State Team and National Honor Society member
A two-sport athlete, Mahli was part of the 2021 Class AA Track and Field Champions, 2023 3rd place Class AA Track and Field team, sprint medley record holders and helped set the sprint medley school record in 2023. Individually she finished 6th in the State Class AA 200 m dash
Mahli is also a lesson in perseverance. In August 2021, she was diagnosed with a disease called Guillain Barre’ Syndrome. She had facial paralyses, and extreme weakness in her arms and legs. She spent a week in the hospital undergoing testing and infusions. Her expected recovery time was about 6-12 months. With the basketball season approaching, she was determined to get back on the court with her teammates. With sheer will power and tenacity, she beat the odds and was able to play her entire sophomore season and help lead her team to a state championship!
Away from the court and classroom Mahli volunteers monthly at the St. Francis house serving meals and spending time with young mothers, volunteers at the Banquet serving meals and at her church in the nursery. She is a member of the Senior Leadership team at her High School and tutors other students
Mahli will be playing basketball at SDSU next year.
Jacoby Mehrman
Harrisburg High School
Coach: Scott Langerock
Height: 6’4
Key Stats: 17.1 ppg 3.5 apg 5.6rpg 2.7spg 40% 3fg
Team Record: 20-4
Parents: Mason and Theresa Mehrman
“Jacoby has been an example of what commitment; work ethic and competitiveness looks like. His preparation has given him the confidence to want the ball and deliver in every big game situation. He has left his mark on High School basketball and certainly as a Harrisburg Tiger. We are thankful for all he has done for our program. - Coach: Scott Langerock
Jacoby’s 1,209 career points ranks 17th in AA history. His 285 career assists total is 2nd in Harrisburg history, the 183 career steals ranks 3rd in school history, a 119 career 3pts made is 6th in Harrisburg history. He helped the Tigers reach 4 state tournaments.
The SDBCA AA player of the year, Jacoby added the Midco AA player of the year award, was the Argus Leader player of the year, Spirt of Su award, Argus leader 1st five, Sioux Falls live super 6, 1st team all-state, 2nd team all-state, all state tournament team 2x, all ESD 3x, all metro 3x, Gatorade player of the year nominee, Academic All-State, Hansen Anderson magazine cover
Academically excellent Jacoby posted a 4.16 GPA
He plans to attending the University of Sioux Falls to play basketball and major in business.