×

Gael girls open postseason

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Livi Huss of St. Edmond shoots around Manson NW Webster Samantha Ruhland (4) and Bailey Kenyon on Monday

The second season begins here Saturday night for the St. Edmond girls.

The Gaels welcome South Hamilton for a Class 2A, Region 2 opening round contest to the SEHS gym. Tip is set for 7 p.m.

The winner moves into the quarterfinals to face Aplington-Parkersburg on Tuesday night.

Earlier this year, St. Edmond (4-17 overall) scored a 39-31 victory in Jewell over the Hawks (8-14), outscoring them 12-0 in the fourth quarter. Macey Mason hit three 3-pointers in that game, scoring 13 points to lead the Gaels.

Erin Flattery added 12 and Livi Huss six, with both grabbing six rebounds. Hannah Huss also had six boards in the win.

“I feel like we are playing much better basketball now than we were earlier in the season,” SEHS head coach Steve Neuberger said. “South Hamilton also seems to be playing better, so it should make for a good game.”

St. Edmond snapped its 10-game losing streak that followed that victory over South Hamilton late last month with a 41-39 victory at Webster City. They ended the season with losses to Pocahontas Area, Clear Lake and Algona, who are a combined 46-17.

The Gaels will welcome back guard Jacque Oberg, as the junior missed most of the final few games after suffering a back injury at Webster City.

“Getting Jacque back will be key for us,” Neuberger said. “She’s another proven ballhandler. It was also good to get Abby Landwehr more experience and some other girls because we’ll need everyone playing at their best to come out on top.”

Livi Huss leads the team in scoring and rebounds, and is also second in steals, second in blocks and third in assists. Flattery is second in points scored, rebounds and assists.

The Hawks scored three consecutive wins late in January before dropping games to North Polk and Iowa Falls-Alden to close out the regular season.

Part of that resurgence came when Marla Grubb returned to the starting lineup. Grubb missed the loss to St. Edmond, but is averaging a team-high 13.6 points per game. She is shooting 42 percent from the field and is also second on the team in total rebounds.

Sydney Friest is averaging almost eight points per game and leads the team in rebounds. Anna Moss, posting 5.6 points, also has a team-best 61 assists and 66 steals.

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today