Rollin’ to ‘The Well’

JOHNSTON — “I was just trying to take some deep breaths and trying to build up some confidence in myself to make at least one (free throw) to build the lead to three.”

Mount Ayr’s Macy Larsen went to the line with 7.4 seconds remaining in overtime of the Class 1A Region 6 final here Monday night with the Raiderettes leading 53-51 over No. 8-ranked Grand View Christian.

The Thunder had knocked down 10 3-pointers in the contest, adding pressure for the junior point guard to convert at the charity stripe. Each quarter in regulation had ended in a deadlock, 11-11; 19-19; 32-32 and 44-44.

Larsen knocked down the first to extend the lead to 54-51, but the second free throw missed to the right.

“I went outside and I was lucky enough to get the (offensive) rebound and put it back in,” said junior Kelcie Shields. “It was crazy, very emotional. I thank all my teammates for working hard and playing as a team.”

The putback sealed Mount Ayr’s victory, 56-51. This is the team’s first trip to the state tournament in five years. The Raiderettes also finished second in 2010.

Mount Ayr will play No. 1-ranked Turkey Valley (24-0) 10 a.m. Monday at Wells Fargo Arena in the first round of the Girls State Basketball Tournament.

“There is nothing better than winning with your teammates, celebrating with your teammates,” said Mount Ayr head coach Thad Streit. “It is priceless. You can’t beat it.”

Finding their rhythm 

The Raiderettes (18-7) started the season in an unfavorable fashion, dropping below .500 at one point. Streit said he really saw a change in the team dynamic during the Christmas break.

“We were so close, losing so many games that were just nail-biters,” Streit said. “Over Christmas break, things just started to come together. We knew once the big wheel started going, it wasn’t going to stop.”

In order to keep that momentum going, the Raiderettes had to shut down an undefeated Grand View Christian team with lethal long-range shooters and fullcourt defensive pressure.

“I knew I had to take care of the ball, that was my job coming into this game,” Larsen said. “I felt like our coaches really prepared us for that. Their pressure was pretty tough to handle, but we got it done.”

At the end of the first half, the teams were tied 19-19. Megan Warin netted seven points in the first half to lead the Raiderettes, converting on fast break opportunities by breaking the Thunder’s press.

“The gym was louder than it has ever been,” said Kirsten Dolecheck. “We were trying to all communicate even though you couldn’t hear anything out there.”

Points in the paint

To start the second half, Mount Ayr was able to find success with their high-low game to Tess Shields and Kelcie Shields. Grand View repeatedly answered any Mount Ayr run with a string of 3-pointers. The Thunder was led by Megan Stubbs with 16 points and Shaylah McCool with 15.

“That has been our strength, to spread the floor,” said Grand View Christian head coach Jason Blunk. “We have a number of girls that can knock down shots.”

Sophomore Caylie Hickman provided a huge spark for the Raiderette offense off the bench, drilling a 3-pointer from the corner to start the fourth quarter, 35-32.

“It was a catch-and-shoot reaction, there wasn’t much time to think,” Hickman said.

After Stubbs put back a loose ball to tie the game 44-44, the Thunder regained possession and held the ball for the final shot in regulation. The Raiderette defense held strong to send the game to overtime.

“You saw it on the court, they never quit,” Blunk said. “That has been their character all year long. I can’t ask for more, they came out and battled against a good team.”

Kelcie Shields scored six points in overtime, finishing with 21 points to lead all scorers. Warin finished with 12 points and Tess Shields dropped 11 for the Raiderettes.

“The girls have been in so many close games and played so many ranked opponents,” Streit said. “We just got the job done tonight. They are just gutsy.”

When Mount Ayr made the state tournament in 2011, assistant coach Tiffany Bolles was the lone senior on the squad. Dolecheck said she is excited to finish her senior season in similar fashion.

“It’s awesome just knowing your season is going to end in ‘The Well’ somehow,” Dolecheck said.