​Brandon Valley senior Alyvia Padgett was chosen as the Argus Leader’s girls Athlete of the Year for the 2025-26 season, according to votes cast by readers. Padgett captured the honor with 60.35 percent of the vote, edging out a strong field of contenders. Sioux Falls Roosevelt senior Kinsley Pesicka finished in second place, Harrisburg senior Gabi Zachariasen was third, Sioux Falls Jefferson senior Macy Bryant placed fourth, and Sioux Falls Christian senior Ellie Maddox rounded out the top five.
Padgett emerged as one of the premier scorers in South Dakota girls basketball and helped propel Brandon Valley toward a near-perfect campaign in 2025-26. The senior guard averaged 26.1 points per game while shooting better than 60 percent from the field, and she also contributed 3.1 steals and 3.1 assists per contest. A significant portion of her production came from attacking the paint, as Padgett attempted only 50 three-pointers over the season, highlighting her preference for driving to the rim and finishing at the basket.
Defensively, Padgett was a catalyst for Brandon Valley’s full-court press, routinely pressuring opponents into turnovers that led to fast-break opportunities. Her knack for generating steals translated into easy points and assists, helping the Lynx build sizable advantages in many games. Her aggressive defense complemented the team’s broader style, allowing Brandon Valley to leverage its pressure into scoring runs and maintain control in several stretches.
The Lynx enjoyed an impressive 23-0 record heading into the Class AA state championship game, showcasing Padgett’s impact throughout the season. Although Brandon Valley reached the final with high hopes, they were edged by O’Gorman, marking the third consecutive year that O’Gorman had defeated them in the state title tilt. Padgett’s contributions, however, remained a defining feature of Brandon Valley’s success in 2025-26, underscoring why she was voted the Argus Leader girls Athlete of the Year by the publication’s readers.
This feature about Alyvia Padgett’s accolade and season performance was originally published in the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, and the reporting emphasizes Padgett’s pivotal role in Brandon Valley’s standout year while situating her achievements within the broader context of South Dakota girls basketball.