Submitted photo Newell-Fonda girls basketball team members are, front row (left to right): Emma Stewart, Ashley Archer, Camryn Wilken and Olivia Larsen. Second: Kierra Jungers, Beth Greenfield, Kylie Robinson, Megan Morenz, Elizabeth Gutierrez-Cobley and Greta Larsen. Third: Kylie Corrin, Ellie Lago, Paige Roberts, Ella Larsen, Bailey Sievers, Maggie Walker, Elizabeth Smith and Becca Mandernach. Back: head coach Dick Jungers, Alexis Mandernach, Taylor Zeman, Macy Sievers, Anna Bellcock, Sophie Stewart, Haylee Puhrmann, Courtney Darrow and assistant Kevin Larsen.

DES MOINES — Over the past two seasons, Ella Larsen and the Newell-Fonda girls have experienced an incredible run on the hardwood.

Last year, the Mustangs were undefeated before reaching the Class 1A title game and falling to Springville.

That loss motivated the returning players, as they have made it back to Wells Fargo Arena, unbeaten once again, with plans to finish the run this time.

The Mustangs (24-0 overall) will face Springville (16-9) in the state quarterfinals at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

“It means everything to go back,” Larsen said. “Being at state is a great experience, and it’s such a (positive) opportunity to come back and represent Newell-Fonda.

“This year means more to us because we all want to win a state title.”

Larsen, a sophomore, is a two-year regular for the Mustangs. She suits up next to her sister, senior Olivia Larsen. Olivia is the top scorer at 13.7 points per game with team-highs in steals (130) and assists (111).

Ella, meanwhile, leads the Mustangs with 146 rebounds and also has a team-high 25 blocks with 78 steals and 65 assists.

Playing together over the past two years, the Larsen sisters have helped Newell-Fonda go a combined 50-1 with back-to-back Twin Lakes Conference titles.

“It feels absolutely incredible,” Ella said. “Going to state is amazing; knowing you made it is phenomenal. What makes it even more special is playing with my sister.”

Newell-Fonda entered this week the leading scoring team in the state both in terms of points per game and total points (1,799). They were just one of three unbeatens left and also ranked first in field goals made and fifth in made 3-pointers in the state.

Maggie Walker posts 9.6 points per contest, with Megan Morenz at 9.2, Bailey Sievers at 8.4 and Emma Stewart at eight for Dick Jungers’ squad. N-F averages 75 points as a squad.

“Being able to end my career at the Well is something not a lot of people get to say,” Olivia Larsen said. “This will be my third year there, and I’m really just gonna try to enjoy it and soak it all in.”

Camryn Wilken, Ashley Archer, Olivia Larsen and Stewart are the only seniors for the Mustangs, who are making a third consecutive state appearance. The rest of the roster is comprised of three juniors, five sophomores and four freshmen.

“No matter what year it is or what grade level you are in on the team, getting to state is the goal,” Olivia Larsen said. “Everyone puts in the effort, because we know it takes hard work just like everything else in life.”

Newell-Fonda and Springville have combined to win each of the past four 1A state titles, with the Mustangs claiming gold in 2015 with a 45-43 win over the Orioles. Springville is the three-time defending state champion, while Newell-Fonda has reached four finals since 2013.

“For everyone, there’s always pressure to win a state title and to be on top,” Ella said. “This just shows how much hard work we put in day in and day out for us.

“As long as each and every one of us come to work hard and to play hard, we know we can accomplish anything together.”

The winner will meet either Clarksville or Bellevue Marquette on Friday at 1:30 p.m. in the semifinals. The other quarterfinal round games are West Hancock vs. North Mahaska and Montezuma vs. Anita-CAM.

Scouting Springville

Springville, the three-time Class 1A defending champion, enter with three consecutive wins — all by 10 points or less.

Many of the faces that led the Orioles to those titles have moved on, with freshman Lauren Wilson and senior Nichole Kane serving as the new leaders.

Wilson averages 15.7 points, and is tops in rebounds (217), blocks (93) and assists (79).

Kane, a former St. Edmond student, posts 15 points per game and has knocked down a team-high 46 three-pointers. She is second with 133 rebounds and 59 assists, adding 54 steals.

Seniors Rylee Chapman and Melissa Nulle, along with ninth-grader Grace Matus, complete the Oriole starting lineup.

As a team, Springville has recorded 290 steals and made 128 shots from behind the arc. Just one of the nine losses suffered this year by the Orioles came versus a team with a losing record.