GIRLS HOOPS: No. 5 NV ousts No. 8 Treynor

Class 2A’s fifth-ranked Nodaway Valley Wolverines found a way to weather various storms and defeat the No. 8 Treynor Cardinals in a girls basketball game Tuesday, Nov. 28 in Greenfield.

In the 52-40 win, the Wolverines handed the Cardinals their second defeat in as many tries. It also gives NV confidence as its season is only getting started.

“We found a way and weathered the storms,” NV head coach Brian Eisbach said. “I think that ultimately it came down to rebounding for us, and taking care of the ball. I don’t know what we had for turnovers tonight, but I’m sure it wasn’t half of what we had when we played them in February.”

In the win, NV gained a little bit of a revenge against an opponent that ended their season last year in the regional tournament. Both programs have become known for their great success in the sport.

Nodaway Valley led 13-7 after the first quarter, as senior Annika Nelson had seven first-quarter points, including a banked-in 3-pointer that put her team up 8-4 early. Maddie Weston followed with a triple of her own that pushed the lead even more.

Neither team led by more than two possessions in the second quarter, and the Cardinals took a 25-26 edge into the locker room. Ella Tiarks, a 6-foot-5 volleyball recruit heading to the University of Nebraska-Omaha, finished with six second-quarter points but was held scoreless the remainder of the game.

Lindsey Davis was key for the Wolverines offensively in the second, which helped NV stay within a possession or two.

Nodaway Valley took another punch in the opening minutes of the third quarter, and it was that one the Wolverines needed to begin to put the game away. Not only did NV shoot well from long range, they rebounded well, which gave them extra possessions and shot attempts.

A putback with 4:04 left in the third by Nelson put the Wolverines up 32-20, and they never trailed after that, leading 37-32 after three quarters.

With 27 points on the board, it may appear as though Davis dominated the scoring. While she led the Wolverines in that way, many others also stepped up to help in the win.

Nelson had nine points, but also grabbed 10 rebounds. Three different players — Nelson, Bella Hogan and Jorja Holliday — grabbed three offensive rebounds each. Izzy Eisbach made seven assists while Davis had five steals.

Alexa Schwartz, who led Treynor with 14 points, was the Wolverines’ focus on defense.

“After Clara [Teigland] graduated, she’s their main threat,” Eisbach said. “She’s a heck of a shooter and can take it strong to the hole. We gave her some open looks, but they’re a great, well-coached team.”

Nelson received the Wolverines’ award called “Little Bling” after the game, which rewards a player for doing the little things well.

After a six-day break, Nodaway Valley (1-0) was scheduled to host Bedford this Tuesday, travel to Southwest Valley Friday and host Atlantic Saturday.

“It was a team effort. We didn’t get as deep on the bench as we would’ve liked to, but I’m pretty proud of the kids,” Eisbach said. “I don’t want to let up [going forward]. It’s a big opportunity for us to start the season and beat the No. 8 team who ended our season last year. We’re going to try to keep the same intent with the way we play [this week]. These teams aren’t the No. 8 team in the state, but we’ve gotta take care of us.”