Pioneers Comeback for Win

Des Moines, Iowa — Okoboji’s all-senior lineup did just what a coach expects from a veteran group. When things got tough, the Pioneers kept their cool and came through with a comeback victory 48-44.

Pekin controlled the first half with its sticky defense and led 26-12 after Gwynne Wright’s 3-pointer at the 5:53 mark in the third quarter. But the Lady Panthers went more than 5 1/2 minutes before getting another basket and Okoboji stormed back.  A 17-1 run gave Okoboji its first lead at 29-27 late in the third quarter, and the Pioneers went ahead when Shaelyn Adams hit a 3-pointer from the right wing to make it 38-35. Their lead grew to six before Pekin rattled off five quick points to draw the score to 43-42 with 1:09 to play. Megan Peschong then sank four straight free throws and Brenna McCabe added one to finish it off.

Molly Mitchell led the charge for Okoboji with 19 points and nine rebounds. Peschong went 8-for-8 at the line in the final 1:23 and finished with 14 points, while Emily Wintz added eight for the Pioneers, who made it to state for the first time.

Beth Atwood led Pekin with 12 points and 12 rebounds and Cassidy Tolle scored 10.

Okoboji takes a 24-1 record into a semifinal against top-ranked Western Christian at 1:30 p.m. Thursday. Pekin finishes 24-2.


Western Survives Late Charge

Western Christian 2Des Moines, Iowa — Western Christian would weather a late Central Decatur charge for a 61-50 victory Monday evening at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

In the opening period, top ranked Western Christian would focus on the long range game, getting 15 1st quarter points from beyond the arc. Heading into the 2nd quarter, the score was 17-4 Wolfpack. The Wolfpack would shift gears in the second quarter, focusing their skills to inside the paint. Heading into the halftime break it was 32-15 in favor of Western Christian. After three, the Wolfpack would push the score to 46-34. Central Decatur would have momentum shift their way in the final 8 minutes. Midway through the final quarter, the Cardinals would pull to within single digits, getting as close as 6 points late in the game, but key free throws would seal the deal for Western, and give them the 61-50 victory.

The Wolfpack had 3 players in double figures. Ashtyn Veerbeek put in a game 21 high points, Kaira Moss added 14, and Erika Feenstra finished with 10 points.

The Cardinals were lead by Lily Simon with 14 points and Alli Masters poured in a dozen.

Western improves to 23-2 on the year and will play in the Class 2A semifinal Thursday afternoon at 1:30 pm against Okoboji. Central Decatur ends their year at 23-2.


Brown Signs With Northwestern

Northwestern College logoOrange City, Iowa — Dustin Brown has signed a letter of intent to continue his football career at Northwestern College next year.

Brown is a 6’1”, 230-pound offensive/defensive lineman who started three years for the West Lyon High School football team. Brown earned second team all-state honors after paving the way for a Wildcats offense that recorded 2,787 yards and 26 touchdowns. He also totaled 21 tackles, two fumble recoveries and one interception along the defensive line. Named team captain as a senior, Brown was part of a West Lyon team that qualified for the state playoffs and finished with a 6-4 record. He was a first team all-district selection and is a member of the National Honor Society. Brown plans to major in elementary education at Northwestern and is the son of Connie and Dennis.

“We are thrilled to have Dustin join the Red Raiders,” commented head Northwestern football coach Matt McCarty. “He is a tough, hard-nosed and physical player who will be an excellent addition to our offensive line.”


Siouxland Conference 2015-2016 Boys Basketball All Conference Teams

The Siouxland Conference All Conference Boy’s Basketball Teams are out with Dalton Moser of Boyden-Hull and Levi Jansen of MOC/FV being unanimous selections.

Kyle Boerhave, a Sophomore from Sheldon, earned 2nd Team Honors. Jaden Kleinhesselink earned 3rd Team Honors and Ian Jongewaard earned Honorable Mention accolades.

Here is a look at the selections.

1ST TEAM
*** Dalton Moser Boyden-Hull Sr.
*** Levi Jansen MOC/FV Sr.
Alex Heller Okoboji Sr.
Marcus Winterfeld Sioux Center Sr.
Matt Van Engen Sioux Center Sr.
Chandler Brunsting Boyden-Hull Sr.
Christian Korver MOC/FV Sr.

2nd TEAM
Tyus Arends Sioux Center So.
CJ Roths Central Lyon Sr.
Myles Van Maanan Rock Valley Sr.
Kyle Boerhave Sheldon So.
Riley Van Wyhe Central Lyon Sr.

3rd TEAM
Jaden Kleinhesslink Sheldon So.
Isaac Heyer West Lyon Jr.
Jaden Snyder West Lyon So.
Cade Knobloch Central Lyon Sr.
Brady Schutt MOC/FV Sr.

HONORABLE MENTION
Karsten Marker MOC/FV Sr.
Kyle Bakker Boyden-Hull Sr.
Tyler Van Beek Sioux Center So.
Pete Menage Central Lyon Sr.
Jason Taylor Rock Valley So.
Ian Jongewaard Sheldon Sr.
Colton Hage West Lyon Sr.
Josh Haken George-Little Rock So.
Carson Marco Sibley-Ocheyedan Sr.
Jake Dodge Okoboji Sr.


All Siouxland Conference Girls Basketball Teams Are Out

Basketball scoreboardNorthwest Iowa — The 2015-16 All Conference Siouxland Conference Girls Basketball Teams have been released. Also out is the Siouxland Conference Winter Sports Academic All-Conference honorees.

Junior Sammy Blum of Rock Valley was a unanimous selection for the second year in a row, and she was joined by Megan Peschong and Molly Mitchell of Okoboji as the other unanimous selections. They were joined on the first team by Lexi Toering and Jordyn Van Maanan of Sioux Center. Also on the first team was Bre Schuiteman of MOC/FV and Maddie Meyer of West Lyon.

Sheldon’s Kayla Van Meeteren earned honorable mention accolades.

For a complete list of All-Conference teams click below:
GBB All-Conference 2015-16

For a complete list of the All-Conference Academic recipients click below:
Winter Academic 2015-16


Western Returns to State Boys Tournament

Western Christian 2Orange City Iowa — Top ranked Western Christian earned a return trip to the State Boys Basketball tournament with an 87-79 Substate win over Sioux Center Saturday night  at the MOC Floyd Valley High School Gym.

A 15 point third quarter by the Wolfpack’s Jesse Jansma jump started the offence as a 36-36 halftime tie turned into a 61-48 Wolfpack lead at the end of the third quarter. In the fourth quarter Sioux Center hit a barrage of threes to pull with 6 points late in the game. With the Warriors forced to foul Western nailed down the win at the free throw line.

Jansma led all scorers with 26 points. Ben Geesink added 18 with Josh Van Lingen hitting for 15 and Taylor Miedema hitting for 13.

Sioux Center had three players in double figures with Marcus Winterfeld leading the way with 22 points. Tyus Arends hit for 19 and Tyler Van Beek added a dozen. In the fourth quarter it was a pair of threes from Winterfeld and Arends along with a three from Cade Bleeker that got the Warriors back within striking distance. 17 fourth quarter free throws from Western Christian would be the difference as they got the win 87-79.

With the win Western is State Tournament bound at 22-2. Sioux Center ends the year at 16-8.