Steffon Mitchell has emerged as Shakopee’s main threat through the first two games of the season.
Mitchell scored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in a 67-59 Sabers’ win over East Ridge at the Anoka-Ramsey Community College High School Basketball Showcase on Saturday.
His double-double comes on the heels of 35-point performance against Woodbury in the season-opener Tuesday.
MItchell, a 6-foot-7 junior forward, credited his increased scoring to getting stronger during the offseason.
"I'm able to go inside and out now, and I got a little bit longer jump shot than I did last year,” he said.
He also grew two inches. Shakopee coach Bruce Kugath said he appreciates Mitchell’s increased size because the Sabers lost so much height from last year's Class 4A state semifinal team.
Kugath also is reaping the benefits of Mitchell's increased minutes.
"Graduating 6-foot-7, 6-foot-8 and three starters is the difference in his game," Kugath said. "He's gone from the third option to the No. 1 option ... I think when he gets stronger, he's going to be really good."
Shakopee has shown an early knack for rebounding despite a lack of size. Mitchell is the only player listed on the roster above 6-foot-3.
The Sabers owned a 36-21 rebounding advantage - including 15 offensive rebounds - in the win over East Ridge.
Rebounding is an area of the game that remains a big question mark for Kugath and the Sabers. Kugath said Shakopee's serious lack of big bodies led him to push Mitchell to contribute more than just buckets.
"I've told Steffon we need to get about 15 rebounds a game out of him," Kugath said. "It's hard when he's doing so much stuff already, but (rebounding) is my concern."
Mitchell doesn't mind the extra work. He says he's used to focusing on rebounding, an emphasis of Kugath’s practices.
He also enjoys facing other top-tier Minnesota athletes like East Ridge's Seth Green, an Oregon football commit who Mitchell guarded Saturday.
"I thought it was pretty cool because we both love the competition," Mitchell said. "We were just each working hard, so it was pretty fun to play against him."
Shakopee will need a different formula to return to the state tournament, but the Sabers may have found their main ingredient in Steffon Mitchell.
