The Register Boys Basketball Player of the Year Award is a little extra special this season. Oliver and Kelton Vincent are the 2021 Co-Register Players of the Year.
“I think it’s sweet,” Oliver said. “To be able to share this award, Kelton and I have been working out a lot with each other, multiple hours each day trying to get each other better. To be able to share a Player of the Year award with him is like a dream come true.”
Kelton said it’s cool to share the award with a teammate, but especially his brother.
“I think it’s pretty amazing. Just the other day we were sitting down and talking to coach about some of the past winners and stuff and when we found out we both got it we asked if it had ever happened before and they said ‘I don’t think so.’ For it to be brothers, and not just teammates, is what makes it special,” Kelton said.
The two brothers led Sioux Valley to a 23-2 overall record and a runner-up finish at the Class A State Tournament.
“[Kelton and Oliver] are go-getters,” said Sioux Valley head coach and Kelton and Oliver’s uncle Bill Vincent. “Their motor is always running. They not only drove us come game time, but they always kept the intensity level high in practices or workouts. They’re guys that love to be in gym, but they also make people want to go to the gym with them and make people excited to be around the Cossacks and Cossack basketball.”
Oliver averaged 21 points, four assists, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game this season as a sophomore. He set the Sioux Valley single-season free throw percentage mark by making 91.2% of his shots. Oliver was a Class A first-team All-State selection and made both the Big East Conference team and the Lake Central Conference team.
In his senior season, Kelton averaged 15.2 points, six assists, 2.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game. He shot 88% from the free throw line and made a school-record 28 straight free throws. Kelton was named to the Class A All-State second team and made the All-State Academic team as well. He was also named to the All-Lake Central Conference team and All-Big East Conference team.
“They’re both really good players, but together they’re great. They know where they’re going to be together not only offensively, but defensively. Where they get out there and get in the passing lanes or turn the guy over that their guarding. … They drive each other and like I said they’re good, but together they’re great and that just kind of goes with knowing each other as brothers,” Bill said.
Kelton and Oliver have played together on the varsity team for three seasons. Oliver said it was really fun being able to play with his brother.
“It’s just been really fun being able to play with him because we’re just so used to playing with each other. When we’re on the same court, we know our tendencies and what we like and where we want the ball and how we want it. It’s just really easy to play with him and it makes it fun. We basically read each others minds out there,” Oliver said.
Kelton finished his Cossack career with an 80-13 record. Next year, Kelton will be playing basketball and majoring in engineering at the University of Northwestern-St. Paul. Kelton said when looking back on his career he’s just thankful for all the opportunities that were made available while playing for Sioux Valley.
“I think one special thing that sticks out is just the opportunity that I was able to have at Sioux Valley. To play under Bill as my coach, who is also my uncle, and then to be able to have my dad (Buster) be an assistant coach throughout my four years and be able to play alongside my brother for the past three years. I think that’s probably one of the most special things that I’ll be able to remember. It was also fun to win alongside them and be successful with them,” Kelton said.
Oliver is going to be the main guard next season for the Cossacks with his brother graduating. Bill said he hopes that Oliver can remain himself, but also take on the role of being the main ball handler.
“With Ollie, I hope that he can keep his youthfulness. Because alongside being a gamer and being ready for the big moments, that’s what drives him, is his youthfulness and excitement for the game. Skill wise and position wise he’s going to have to be able to handle the ball more and pick up some of the slack that his brother is leaving with graduating and he’ll be able to do that. He was able to be patient and wait his turn in terms of handling the ball more,” Bill said.
With the Cossacks coming up just short of winning the Class A title this season, the goal is to win the whole thing next year. Oliver said his team needs to pick up right where they left off and work this offseason on getting better.
“I think we need to work hard this offseason to get back to where we were last season. It’s going to be a long journey to get there, but I think it will all pay off with a state championship hopefully. We also are going to need some young guys to step up with the three seniors leaving. I think it’ll happen. We’ll get some guys to step up and I think we’ll be good. I think we’ll be really good,” Oliver said.
