GIRLS HOOPS: Exira-EHK gets back on track before the break with convincing win over CAM

Spartans triumph 53-33; take 5-2 record into Christmas Break

By Drew Herron - NT Sports Editor / Dec. 20, 2013

ELK HORN – This group of Spartans can run hot, and they can also run cold.

Friday night was more of the former, as Exira-EHK brushed aside a disappointing road loss in its previous outing Tuesday to manhandle Cumberland-Anita-Massena via 53-33 final.

It was just the remedy the Spartans and head coach Tom Petersen have been yearning for as they close the books on the 2013 portion of their schedule, and look forward to making up ground during the Christmas Break.

“These next two weeks are going to be extremely important for us as far as how we enter the second half of the season,” coach Petersen said. “We need to get into shape, and there are a number of other things we can work on, especially on the defensive side.”

The Spartans began the season ranked No. 7 in Class 1A according to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s preseason poll.  This week, after Exira-EHK suffered its second loss over its first six games, the team fell from the rankings and slid down the standings in what is turning out to be a remarkably competitive Rolling Valley Conference that is currently controlled by Ar-We-Va.

Coach Petersen, who is also the school’s head football coach, has had a late start scheming on the basketball season as the Spartans Football squad went all the way to last month’s state championship game. While the gridiron effort pressed for attention, focus on the girl’s basketball team and how it would shape up would simply have to wait.

Now, perhaps Exira-EHK can use its two weeks off from competition to figure out exactly what it has.

“I’m looking forward this break, I just need it to work with the girls for an extended period of time,” coach Petersen says. “Football season delayed some things and when you miss the first nine practices, it is extremely difficult to make that time up. I think we will get to where we need to be, it’s just going to take some time.” 

On Friday night, CAM was able to hang around for one quarter, trailing 15-12 after eight minutes before the Spartans would tear the game open.

EEHK outscored CAM 20-5 in the second frame, and took a convincing lead (35-17) into the halftime break. As the game wore on, the Spartans’ outside shooting started to warm. In the first half alone, EEHK knocked down half a dozen 3-balls, which accounted for nearly half of its points total.

Forcing Exira-EHK out of the paint and onto the wings was CAM’s defensive design. When the shots started hitting, the Cougars’ options began to dwindle.

“We figured, if (Exira-EHK) is going to beat us, they are going to have to do it by shooting well from the outside,” CAM coach Joe Wollum says. “We were committed to packing it in, and in the second half, we let them get too many rebounds. But still, there is a lot to build off of from this game.

“I’m real proud of the girls’ effort tonight. We didn’t shoot the ball very well, but the effort was there all night.”

CAM senior post Allysa Kragelund led all scorers with 20 points, though Exira-EHK had a pair in double figures with Rachel Smith at 16, and Claire Paulsen chipped in 11 points.

The victory for the Spartans is an adequate follow-up for the team who struggled mightily Tuesday night in Ar-We-Va. Against the No. 9 ranked Rockets, Exira-EHK put up 73 attempts from the field (20 more than Ar-We-Va), yet converted just 19 percent of those shots, and things snowballed into a 62-39 loss.

Amongst things that need to improve over the break, coach Petersen says the team simply needs to shoot the ball better.

“The girls have to be willing to put some more time in, both before school and after practice,” he says. “We’ve got a long way to go.”

Game Scoring (12/20):

EXIRA-EHK (5-2): Rachel Smith 16, Claire Paulsen 11, Kennedy Madsen 7, Maggie Rasmussen 7, Sydney Parker 4, Taylor Paulsen 3, Mara Burmeister 3, Katie Kunik 2    Free Throws: 2/7

CAM (1-7): Allysa Kragelund 20, Felicity Jackson 5, Lindsey Dinkla 4, Tierney Sothman 4    Free Throws: 10/20

Steady Spartans roll over CAM

Exira-EHK knocks off CAM 56-40 in final game before Christmas Break

By Drew Herron - NT Sports Editor / Dec. 20, 2013

ELK HORN – Three different Spartans player would finish in double figures to help lead Exira-EHK to a conclusive 56-40 victory over CAM Friday night.

Spartans’ junior forward Drew Peppers led all scorers with 18 points, guard Jared Hansen finished with 15 (13 of them in the first half), and Tate Simpson contributed 10 as Exira-EHK jumped out early and were never really threatened. 

“We’re gaining a little bit,” Exira-EHK coach Doug Newton says. “Tonight, I thought we answered pretty well. We took the lead and pushed it up to 21 in the second half. Everyone came in and contributed it different times.”

Exira-EHK’s only deficit in the game was at 3-2, but following that, the Spartans steadily pulled away, and CAM spun its wheels with poor collective shooting.

Jared Hansen’s 3-pointer with 1:05 remaining in the opening half drove Exira-EHK out to a 10-point lead at 24-14. Then, at the close of the half just a moment later, Hansen forced a steal and converted a lay-up, reclaiming the 10-point lead for the Spartans to take into the break (26-16).

“We got out in transition fairly well after we settled into the game,” coach Newton says. “We felt that we might be able to get a couple baskets, and then (CAM) might not be as patient with its offense.”

By the end of the third quarter, Exira-EHK had expanded its lead to 17 points (46-29), and except for a two-minute stretch late in the third quarter, never really threatened to take control of the game.

Peppers, who led all scorers, was particularly effective in the paint, and CAM lacked an answer to his physical presence inside.

“We did a good job tonight of finishing,” coach Newton says. “We didn’t think they had a lot of depth on the bench at the post position, and that was something we wanted to attack.”

The loss drops CAM to 2-5 on the season, and lifts Exira-EHK’s record to 2-5 as well.

It was the final game of the 2013 portion of the season as both teams head into the Christmas Break, looking to make the most of the practice time.

For the Spartans, picking up this win might prove to be a boon as the squad looks to iron out its identity.

 “We needed a win at this time of year,” coach Newton says. “This week, practice has been good…getting more repetitions is going to help more than anything.”

Game Scoring (12/20):

EXIRA-EHK (2-5): Drew Peppers 18, Jared Hansen 15, Tate Simpson 10, Brady Hansen 6, Jake Paulsen 2, Lucas Schwery 2, Noah Pettepier 2, Drew Buckholdt 1    Free Throws: 10/20

CAM (2-6): Michael Holste 9, Logan Dinkla 9, Jordan Winther 6, Connor Bell 5, Brady Runyan 3, Austin Hardisty 3, Tanner Winther 2, Blake Miller 2, Jarod McKee 1    Free Throws: 1/5

BOYS HOOPS: Spartans pick up first “W” after clipping Charter Oak-Ute 53-39

Exira-EHK improves to 1-3, Spartans face tough stretch next week

By Drew Herron - NT Sports Editor / Dec. 13, 2013

ELK HORN – Each time out offers a new opportunity for growth, and a chance to figure some things out for the ever-evolving lineup the Spartans field this winter.

On Friday night, Exira-EHK showed it has more than enough muscle to compete right now in the Rolling Valley Conference, building an early lead, then cruising onward to a 53-39 victory over visiting Charter Oak-Ute.

Afterwards, Spartans head coach Doug Newton expressed a bit of relief after watching some of the promise he sees in his team manifest itself on game day.

“We are starting to play a little better for a little longer,” he says. “We are starting to play well for longer periods in to the game. We still make some silly mistakes that are kind of head scratchers, but we are still gaining, and we are putting different combinations out there trying to find out what is the best direction for us to go.”

After holding on to a narrow 12-11 lead at the close of the opening quarter, Exira-EHK began the second on a 13-2 run that ultimately led to a 25-13 lead at the break.

The Spartans led by as much as 15 points in the second and third quarters, and played with a sustainable cushion over the final 16 minutes.

“At times, I was very happy. At others, I guess you’d like to think you can finish up a little better,” coach Newton says. “We had a chance to blow the game wide open and maybe relax and have a little fun with it. But all-in-all, I am pretty pleased with the effort.”

Exira-EHK had two players finish in double-digit scoring figures. Senior Tate Simpson led the team with 15 points, and Jarred Hansen added 11. Junior forward Jake Paulsen came off the bench to add a career-high nine points for the Spartans.

The bulk of CO-U’s scoring was done by seniors Logan Vinke (20 points) and Brad Staley (14 points). The Spartan’s defense was focused in to limiting their shots and touches, and it started to take a toll on the Bobcats late in the game as CO-U ran out of gas and was taxed physically.

The victory snaps a three-game losing streak that started the season for Exira-EHK, as the Spartans now improve to 1-3. A challenging week waits for EEHK next week as the team is set to head to Boyer Valley (2-1) Monday and Ar-We-Va (3-0) Tuesday before returning home next Friday to close out the 2013 portion of the schedule against CAM.

As the team works its way through mid-December, they will focus in on the process of steady improvement.

“We just need to try to continue to put together a more complete game,” coach Newton says. “We are going to have a tough week coming up.”

Game Scoring (12/13):

EXIRA-EHK (1-3): Tate Simpson 15, Jarred Hansen 11, Jake Paulsen 9, Lucas Schwery 6, Drew Peppers 6, Brady Hansen 4, Drew Buckholdt 2     Free Throws: 10/17

CHARTER OAK-UTE (1-3): Logan Vinke 20, Brad Staley 14, Jesse Hupp 2, Levi Kragel 2, Ryan Vogt 1     Free Throws 5/15

No. 10-ranked Spartans respond after Tuesday’s loss, crush Charter Oak-Ute

Claire Paulsen leads way with 14 points, Exira-EHK prevails 52-26

By Drew Herron - NT Sports Editor / Dec. 13, 2013

ELK HORN – The Spartans held visiting Charter Oak-Ute completely scoreless in the second quarter, creating a chasm Friday night in which the Bobcats would never recover.

No. 10-ranked Exira-EHK bounced back admirably from its upset loss earlier in the week at Paton-Churdan, and pieced together the team’s finest collective performance to date with a 52-26 stampede over winless Charter Oak-Ute.

Spartans’ assistant coach Kelly Juhl was at the helm of the ship for Friday night’s game, filling in for head coach Tom Petersen, who was serving a suspension after drawing a pair of technical fouls in Tuesday’s loss at P-C, and forced to sit out one game.

The team responded well enough to Juhl’s more subdued style of orchestrating things, and the Spartans simply took care of business from the opening tip.

“I’ve only been here five games now, but that was by far the most complete game we’ve played so far in this short season,” coach Juhl says. “We did everything well tonight, and everyone contributed.”

Exira-EHK led 14-9 after one quarter, then outscored CO-U 18-0 in the second frame to take a seemingly insurmountable lead (36-9) into the halftime break.

CO-U struggle to move the ball effectively up-court, and in its half-court offense.  Turnovers plagued the Bobcats throughout, but especially early on.

“We felt like if we put pressure on their guards, that would lead to some turnovers,” coach Juhl says. “Our goal coming in was to try to force their guards into handling the ball as much as possible.”

Eight different Spartans would make their mark in the scoring column Friday, through senior guard Claire Paulsen would be the only Spartan in double figures at 14 points. 

With the victory, Exira-EHK improves its record to 4-1 on the season, with two games remaining on the schedule before knocking off for the Christmas Break. 

Tuesday night will take them to Westside to face Ar-We-Va, then home Friday to play host to CAM.

Game Scoring (12/13):

EXIRA-EHK (4-1): Claire Paulsen 14, Rachel Smith 9, Mara Burmeister 9, Taylor Paulsen 5, Kennedy Madsen 4, Sydney Parker 4, Maggie Robinson 4, Sadie Schultes 2, Katie Kunik 1     Free Throws: 6/12

CHARTER OAK-UTE (0-4): Makarlie Smith 6, Ciera Carlson 6, Abby Dobernecker 4, Ally Mordhorst 4, Taylor McCall 3, Casey Carstens 2, Emilee Meadows 1     Free Throws: 9/15

Slow start dooms Spartans’ efforts against Woodbine

Exira-EHK drops season opener 51-42, Woodbine’s Seth Willis leads all scorers with 26 

By Drew Herron - NT Sports Editor / Dec. 6, 2013

ELK HORN – Around tip-off of Friday night’s Rolling Valley Conference match-up between Exira-EHK and Woodbine, temperatures flirted with zero degrees just outside the walls of the EEHK gym.

But that didn’t stop Woodbine from starting the game in fiery fashion, jumping out to a double-digit lead in the first quarter, then using a blazing fourth quarter to secure a 51-42 victory over the Spartans.

For Exira-EHK, a school just two weeks removed from its appearance in the state championship game for 8-Man Football, there appears to be an understandable delay as all but two players of the basketball team’s roster shifts gears from fall to winter sports.

The Spartans might be a little behind in their development on the hardwood as they chased gridiron glory, but Exira-EHK coach Doug Newton says that’s fine, and his team is going to come together soon enough.

“I thought everyone did a little bit of something well tonight,” coach Newton says. “But there are a lot of things we need to improve on, too. Like I told the guys, this is night No. 1 of what we figure will be several more to come, so there is no sense in crying about this one too long. We’ve got some work to do.”

After a disastrous start, the Spartans began to chip away at the Woodbine lead, clawing back to within nine points at the close of the first quarter (19-10), then outscored the Tigers 16-6 in the second frame to take a 26-25 lead into the halftime break.

A seesaw battle ensued in the third quarter and the early part of the fourth before foul trouble started to weigh on the Spartans, and Woodbine got its separation by hitting its shots from the free throw line.

From the stripe, Woodbine hit 21-of-30 attempts, compared to 6-of-16 for the Spartans.

“When you get down 13-1, it takes quite a lot to get back to them,” coach Newton says. “We just couldn’t finish like we had hoped, and foul trouble played a part as well.”

Woodbine senior Seth Willis led all scorers with 26 points.

Woodbine brought its up-tempo, run-the-court flavor to EEHK, and the Spartans were committed not to let the Tigers turn this matchup into a run-and-gun.

That’s just about the opposite style the Spartans want to employ as coach Newton looks for a more deliberate approach from his offense.

“Some people might call us a slow-down team, but I just don’t want to take bad shots,” coach Newton says. “If there isn’t something right off the break, then let’s set it up. It’s not exactly about taking what the defense gives you, we just don’t want to take bad shots.”

EEHK faces a short turnaround as Guthrie Center is set to come to town Saturday night.

With so many new roles to fill, the Spartans are counting on steady progress from week-to-week that will turn them into a competitive team by February.

“I’d like to think we’ve got a lot of room for improvement,” coach Newton says. “As we continue to jell, and relax and play some basketball…hopefully it will take care of itself. We need to make sure we gain, and not regress.”

EXIRA-EHK (0-1): Lucas Schwery 15, Brady Hansen 12, Tate Simpson 6, Jared Hansen 5, Drew Buckholdt 4    Free Throws: 6/16

WOODBINE (2-0): Seth Willis 26, Colten Hicks 11, Kevin Lee 9, Zeb Schwery 2, Keagan Barrett 2, Clay Schmidt 1     Free Throws: 21/30

GIRLS HOOPS: Spartans will their way to victory over Woodbine

No. 7-ranked Exira-EHK moves to 2-0 on season with 46-37 victory, will face Guthrie Center Saturday

By Drew Herron - NT Sports Editor / Dec. 7, 2013

ELK HORN – Typical of early an season outing, Exira-EHK fumbled its way through four quarters Friday night on its home court before pulling away down the stretch to lock down an ugly nine-point victory over Woodbine.

The No. 7-ranked Spartans prevailed 46-7 to push their record to 2-0 on the season, though Exira-EHK coach Tom Petersen feels lucky just to get out of this one with a “W.”

“We finished with 20-some turnovers and not a lot of execution on either side,” he said afterwards. “It was a very sloppy game, and I think a lot of it has to do with the kids getting a feel for their new roles. We’ve got some new personnel sub-ing in and sub-ing out, and that is going to take some time. But that doesn’t excuse this, we had a lot of mental errors tonight.”

Exira-EHK led 23-21 at the half, and pushed its lead to seven points (30-23) as the third quarter rolled along.

In Spartans’ girls basketball culture, a great deal of emphasis is placed on the first few minutes of the third quarter, in terms of setting the tone for the second half and thus, the rest of the way.

Woodbine struggled to hit shots for the first six minutes of the third, though the Spartans fared only slightly better, and missed a prime opportunity to seize the momentum for good.

“You need to take advantage of that and jump on it, we didn’t do that,” coach Petersen says of the third quarter.

Missed opportunities and high percentage shots that didn’t fall threatened to derail the Spartans’ efforts. Though, the fog would lift in the fourth quarter, and Exira-EHK was able to pull away in the waning moments.

Exira-EHK junior Rachel Smith led all scorers with 16 points and Kennedy Madsen joined her in double figures at 10 points, though seven different players would find their way into the scorebook Friday.

The Spartans are slated to play back-to-back nights with Guthrie Center set to come to town Saturday night.

Coach Petersen says the Spartans are going to need a better effort, and need to put this one behind them moving forward.

“Our shot selection in general was not overly impressive…we just need to be able to finish,” coach Petersen says. “We’ve got open looks from two or four feet, and we aren’t finishing anything. That can come back to haunt us.”

Game Scoring (12/06)

EXIRA-EHK (2-0): Rachel Smith 16, Kennedy Madsen 10, Claire Paulsen 7, Maggie Rasmussen 6, Mara Burmeister 3, Sydney Parker 2, Taylor Paulsen     Free Throws: 12/18

WOODBINE (2-1): Shelby Behrendt 11, Megan Maaske 7, Emily Schmidt 6, Daisha Nuzum 5, Melissa Sherer 3, Allison Lee 3, Heather Smith 2     Free Throws: 6/16