March 29, 2024

Area girls basketball roundup: Lenox, Mount Ayr run away in first wins; Diagonal falls in opener

Lenox 75, Clarinda 39

LENOX – Lenox routed Clarinda Tuesday night in its season opener, winning 75-39 over the Cardinals.

The Tigers ran an aggressive offense and defense, getting on Clarinda early. The Tigers led by seven at 15-8 through the first quarter, and extended their lead to 17 on an 18-2 run by Lenox across the first half.

Up by 14 at the half, Lenox continued to pour it on until the final horn with pressing defense preventing Clarinda from making a dent in the difference.

There was no “soft spot” in the Tigers Tuesday night, with everyone getting in on the action. The Tigers routinely rotated in groups off the bench, similar to how hockey teams institute a line change. The system is one that’s enjoyed by the girls, said head coach Jesse Cox.

“It seemed to work good (in practice), and most importantly, the girls liked it so they were able to buy in,” said Cox. “If they like it and they’re motivated to do it that way, why not do it?”

TJ Stoaks and Kambrie Michel tied for the lead in scoring with 18 points. Michel had 11 rebounds to complete a double-double.

Off the bench Cadence Douglas had 15 rebounds and nine points. Cassidy Nelson also came off the bench, scoring nine points and leading in assists with four.

“You can tell they’re just a year older,” said Cox. “... They’re all either bigger, taller or faster and that’s helped out. ... Cadence is really unassuming, kind of just knives in there and gets rebounds. I think that’s a hard part of matching up. (Opposing coaches) are going to adapt to it. It’s not going to work perfectly all the time. But it’s something they’ll have to game plan for.”

Cox said one of the focuses for the Tigers was “to make your teammates better and make that extra pass” to open the season, helping the Tigers roll to the win.

When asked if the statement win to open the season is a sign the Tigers can compete with the top teams in the Pride of Iowa, Cox said the belief in the locker room is there.

“The girls believe we can take that next step,” said Cox.

Mount Ayr 58, Lamoni 37

MOUNT AYR – Mount Ayr won big in its season opener Tuesday night, winning 58-37.

The Raiderettes led by 13 at halftime and didn’t hold back in the final quarters, outscoring Lamoni for the rest of the game.

Maddie Stewart led in scoring for Mount Ayr with 15 points. She also had seven rebounds.

Rachel Sobotka was just short of a double-double, coming up with nine rebounds and nine points. Channler Henle scored 10 points and MaKayla Jones had nine points as well.

Stanton 47, Diagonal 22

STANTON – Diagonal lost to Stanton Friday night in a 47-22.

The season opener saw the Maroonettes trail 11-0 through the first quarter, ultimately leading to a 21-point halftime deficit at 26-5.

Taylor Lumbard led Diagonal in scoring with 11 points. Alaina Whittington had the high in rebounds with nine, also posting four points.

Twin Cedars 29, Orient-Macksburg 23

BUSSEY – Orient-Macksburg lost to Twin Cedars Tuesday night 29-23.

O-M trailed by three in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t find the extra shot to pull the game closer in the final frame for its first loss of the season.

Kinsey Eslinger led in scoring with eight points. Draven Pierce had five points and Caitlyn Gist had four.