Feb. 21—WAGNER, S.D. — Ashlyn Koupal's Senior Night presentation had a little something extra with it on Friday night.
On top of being introduced with three peers as part of the normal Senior Night proceedings between the Wagner girls and boys basketball games, Koupal was recognized for a second honor all her own. As one of 24 girls high school basketball players nationally selected to play in the prestigious McDonald's All-American game, Koupal was presented with a special jersey commemorating the occasion by Kevin Miles, the CEO of Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Dakota.
"It was a really cool moment to have the community and a bunch of family in the stands to be a part of it," Koupal said of her Senior Night experience. "It's going to be so different not playing on this court, knowing the next game I play here is my last."
The jersey is blue with yellow numbering, and instead of Koupal's No. 24, it features No. 26, a nod to the graduation year.
Koupal is the first girls basketball player in South Dakota history to be picked for the all-star showcase, which is set for Tuesday, March 31, at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The girls edition of the McDonald's All-American game was started in 2002. The Nebraska commit is also the first Cornhusker — man or woman — chosen for the game.
She first learned of her selection at a Monday afternoon basketball practice earlier this month with a surprise from her coaches and teammates.
"I thought it was a huge deal just to get nominated, so I was super excited about that," Koupal said. "Finding out that I actually made the team and being able to share that moment with my (high school) teammates was really special."
Koupal has one familiar face joining her on the West region All-American roster: AAU teammate Addison Bjorn, a Texas commit from Missouri. Another AAU teammate is set to play on the East region team. Also with Koupal on the West region roster is Maddyn Greenway, daughter of Mount Vernon native Chad Greenway, a Kentucky commit from Plymouth, Minnesota.
Though there are still important games ahead of Koupal and the Red Raiders as the South Dakota postseason begins, she's excited for the upcoming experience.
"I've never played in an all-star game like that before," Koupal said. "I just want to go out there, have fun and make some memories."