Mick Mitzel has been an assistant coach for Rapid City Post 320 for nine years now, and while losing a chance at the program's first state title on Sunday night was a tough pill to swallow, he still couldn't help but smile when asked to reflect on the 2009 season.

"It meant a lot to this team and a lot to this organization, all of the kids I've coached over the last eight, nine years here," said Mitzel.

The highlight of the season came Friday night, when the Stars upset Post 22, 10-9, Post 320's first-ever victory over their rivals after 16 previous defeats. The Stars then lost Saturday night, 34-5, to Mitchell, and then dropped the championship game to the Hard Hats, 6-2, Sunday night.

"That win on Friday was huge for us, and then the loss on Saturday was a bit of an aberration I thought. That could happen to anybody."

The loss to Post 22 was disappointing, but hardly devastating for Mitzel.

"I have total respect for this club (Post 22) over here across the parking lot," Mitzel said. "I love playing them and it was just a great season. Our older kids stepped up, our 19-year-olds stepped up and we've got a good group coming back. I'm really excited about the group of 15-year-olds we have coming up."

The Stars will lose some key components to this year's team as shortstop Brandon Kiewel, leftfielder Brad Winkelman and catcher Kelly Coates are all out of eligibility, but the cupboard is far from bare. Centerfielder Zach Cimburek and pitcher-first baseman Brandon Rainford will both be back along with pitcher Adam Carroll, who was one of the Stars top hurlers in 2008 before injuring his shoulder playing high school ball in the spring.

That limited what Carroll could do all summer, so Mitzel feels that getting a healthy Carroll back next year will be like adding another all-state-caliber player.

"This program has come a long, long ways in the time I've been here," Mitzel said. "It's really been a great ride, and while I hate to see guys like Kiewel and Coates go, it's not done yet. We're only getting better at the younger levels and I just can't tell you how excited I am for next season already."

Mitzel will miss the leadership of the older players, however.

"I always love having a couple of college guys come back because they're just great influences on the younger guys," he said. "They take care of the bench, they take care of the younger kids. I'd love to have one or two every year because they just take care of everything."

Mitzel's a big picture guy who, while hoping to win Sunday's state championship game, walked off the field at Floyd Fitzgerald Stadium with more than a little twinkle in his eye and some bounce in his step.

"It's been a great summer," he said, "and I'm really looking forward to next year."