Boswell nears state rebound record

Nodaway Valley has just one blemish on its girls basketball record, and since then, all the Wolverines have done is win.

The Class 2A No. 14 Wolverines extended their win streak to 15 last week, improving to 15-1 overall and tying for first place in the Pride of Iowa Conference at 11-1 with No. 15 Mount Ayr.

Results last week included a 71-28 home win Tuesday against Lenox and a 67-35 home victory Thursday over Southeast Warren. The Southeast Warren game was moved up a day because of anticipated cold temperatures Friday.

Nodaway Valley celebrated senior night Thursday against the Warhawks, honoring seniors Caroline Britten, Izzy Eisbach, Lea Stonebraker, Kacie Ford, Emma Boswell and Kynnady Van Eaton, along with manager Abbi Zenor.

The Wolverines led 19-8 after the first quarter and built their largest lead in the third, but the outcome was never in doubt. Dominating defense was a key factor, as NV finished with 14 steals, seven blocked shots and a plus-six rebounding margin.

“You’re starting to see a lot of the girls covering more ground quicker and getting deflections — and we love deflections,” Nodaway Valley head coach Brian Eisbach said. “The ultimate goal is to get kids to press on defense and offense. I feel like we’re taking strides in the right direction. Kids are getting more confident in what they bring to the table and what their roles are.”

Senior guard Izzy Eisbach, who gave up her starting spot because the team has more than five seniors, scored a game-high 34 points. Emma Boswell added 13 points and 19 rebounds. Southeast Warren senior Jessica Lillig led the Warhawks with 16 points.

With 3:52 remaining in the third quarter, Boswell secured her 1,500th career rebound. She is now closing in on 1,534 rebounds, which would make her the all-time career leader in Iowa five-on-five girls basketball history. She currently sits second on the list.

“This is a heck of a deal, and she’s a heck of a kid,” coach Eisbach said. “She’s transitioned well, along with her sister Ella and Mattie Thompson. They’ve worked hard, acclimated to how we do things and they’re great teammates. Emma, specifically, is someone you know is going to work hard. Rebounding is a stat that takes heart. When you’re near the top of the state record book, that says everything. She plays with heart, and it’s been fun to be a small part of her four years. We’re obviously not done yet, but it’s going to be a pretty cool story when it’s all said and done.”

Sophomore Kaylee Moser, freshman Abby Nelson and Van Eaton each made 3-pointers, while Eisbach knocked down six.

In the Lenox game, the Wolverines used a similar formula, recording 16 steals, five blocks and winning the rebounding battle by 13.

Nodaway Valley held the Tigers to just three first-quarter baskets and led 24-8 entering the second quarter. Lenox was limited to single-digit scoring in all four quarters.

Eisbach scored 37 points, while Boswell finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Nelson added seven points, nine rebounds and five steals. Lenox senior Delaney Funk led her team with nine points.

Nodaway Valley was scheduled to host an 11-5 Southwest Valley team Tuesday, then travel Friday to face 12-4 Martensdale-St. Marys and host 11-4 Earlham Saturday.

“Martensdale-St. Marys is always a tough matchup, and we’ll need to play well at their place to get the win,” coach Eisbach said. “Follow that up with a tough Earlham team on Saturday to finish up our nonconconference schedule and we’ll need to play good defense all week to go 3-0.”