Local talent leads Simpson’s title chase

INDIANOLA — Two former all-staters from Creston and Greenfield are major contributors to the Simpson College women’s basketball team that’s making a run for the American Rivers Conference championship.

Maddax DeVault was one of the stars of Nodaway Valley’s state quarterfinal team in 2021, and now she’s hoping to lead the Simpson Storm into postseason play with a conference title. DeVault, Simpson’s season scoring leader at 17.3 points per game, finished with 18 points, three rebounds and two steals in Simpson’s 70-55 conference win over rival Central College Wednesday night.

Doryn Paup of Creston has moved into a starting role in the post as a junior at Simpson. She averages 6.2 points and 5.6 rebounds. Paup contributed 14 points and six rebounds in Wednesday’s victory.

It was a classic Simpson women’s basketball spurt in the second quarter that opened up Wednesday’s victory. Veteran coach Brian Niemuth, who surpassed 700 career wins this season, has built a program based on a transition offense fueled by an aggressive full-court defense. That pace took its toll on Central, which fell behind 39-24 at halftime after Simpson closed out the half on a 19-2 run.

“When we have that intensity on defense with our press, we can get tips and steals and that really fuels our offense,” DeVault said. “We don’t let them get comfortable, and that turns into our transition and fast break, which is kind of what we’re known for. They couldn’t keep up with us.”

Central had 18 turnovers Wednesday and was outscored 13-8 on fast breaks. Simpson scored 48 of its 70 points in the lane and shot 46.2% from the field, while limiting Central to 32.2%. Taylor Hanson made all three of Simpson’s 3-pointers in leading the Storm with 19 points.

At 5-11, Paup was matched up with 6-1 Central post player CeCe Moore from Waterloo West. Paup, an all-around athlete at Creston like DeVault at Nodaway Valley, said improved strength has allowed her to compete against taller opponents in the American Rivers Conference.

“I’m kind of small compared to some of the other post players in the conference, but being a little faster, I just try to get out and run the floor,” Paup said. “That’s what I love about our team. Tonight you saw that, we’re always pushing it in transition. We may be smaller, but we’re a lot more athletic.”

DeVault, a state champion in the 100-meter hurdles and state runner-up in the 400 hurdles at Nodaway Valley, is one of the catalysts of that relentless attack. Defensively she typically guards the opponent’s quickest guard. On offense, the swift wing is scoring consistently on both 3-pointers and transition drives to the basket.

Coach Niemuth said DeVault has taken over for the graduated Haley Rasmussen of Atlantic in that perimeter leadership role. Rasmussen, like former Simpson All-American Jenna Taylor of Creston, is now on the Simpson coaching staff.

“Maddax played behind Haley Rasmussen the last three years,” Niemuth said. “Haley was first team all-conference and led the nation in 3-point shooting last year. Now it’s Maddax’s time to step up and she’s done really well. She’s our leader on and off the floor, our leading scorer and a top defensive player. I have really enjoyed watching her grow as a player and a person.”

Creston connection

Paup has earned varsity playing time since her freshman year, but this is her first season in a starting role. Taylor works with post players in her part-time coaching role in addition to her job as a tax manager for Ernst & Young, a Des Moines accounting firm. She’s seen Paup’s growth as a collegiate player.

“She’s gotten so much stronger, so much more physical in the three years that she’s been here,” Taylor said. “We don’t have a lot of height, so we’re developing her as more of a low post player. She has really stepped up. It’s great to have another Creston player here!”

Paup was often featured at the top of Creston’s 1-3-1 zone defense, using her reach and athleticism to force opposing turnovers, much like current senior Kadley Bailey in that role. Now she’s usually much closer to the basket on defense, guarding one of the opponent’s biggest players.

“We play a lot more man to man defense here, but we also play some zone,” Paup said. “I’ve been learning how to fight for position, competing for position all the time. If you let up at all they have the advantage and can score at the basket. Even if I’m not scoring, I need to be rebounding.”

Nieumuth has trusted Paup in varsity games since her freshman year, but has seen dramatic progress in her game.

“Doryn has stepped into a starting role for us. She’s improved so much with her rebounding and defense,” Niemuth said. “She has always been able to score, but she’s a complete player now. I’m hoping for even more growth from her next year. The sky is the limit for her.”

While Central fell to 2-4 in the A-R-C and 7-8 overall, Simpson improved to 4-2 in the league and 8-7 overall. Simpson begins a three-game road streak Saturday at University of Dubuque.

Last weekend’s 68-65 loss to conference leader Coe gave Simpson some degree of confidence that the Storm can compete with anyone when it’s conference tournament time. The winner gets an automatic NCAA Division III playoff bid. (Taylor played on Simpson’s conference champion playoff team in 2020-21).

“Any loss is not what you want, but I think we learned a lot from playing that game,” DeVault said. “We’ve had quite a few close games this year and I think that’s helping us learn how to handle those pressure, tight game situations at the end. Our goal is to win the conference and I think that’s still within reach.”

Athlete of Month

DeVault, who also competes in the hurdles and sprint relays for Simpson’s track and field team, was named December Athlete of the Month at Simpson. During a four-game winning stretch, DeVault averaged 19.3 points and made 21 3-pointers, while also accumulating 14 steals and 12 assists.

After the basketball season, she’ll immediately join the track team.

“I miss all of the (winter) indoor season,” DeVault said. “I join whenever basketball is over. No break, but I still like doing it.”

DeVault has majored in health and exercise science with a minor in biology. After graduating in May, she plans to begin classes next fall at Mercy College’s nursing program in Des Moines.

Paup is majoring in sports administration and educational studies with a minor in coaching. She has an internship for credit this semester with the Indianola High School Activities Director’s office.