Wins over NH, Decorah move Indians closer to second straight state tourney appearance

Thursday, Feb. 17, the top-rated Indians defeated visiting New Hampton by a 70-29 final in Region 6 quarterfinal action. Saturday, Feb. 19, Waukon traveled to Decorah to hand the 15th-rated Vikings a 54-23 loss. The pair of wins moves the Tribe into the regional final this Friday, Feb. 25 against Dubuque Wahlert.

Waukon still holds an unblemished 23-0 standing for the season.

Regional quarterfinal vs. New Hampton...

Waukon got the 2005 postseason underway Thursday, Feb. 17, hosting New Hampton in regional quarterfinal play. The Chickasaws were no match for the Indians, who easily recorded a 70-29 win.

Scoring started slowly, with the game’s first bucket tallied two minutes into the quarter as senior guard Sam Reiser sank a three-pointer on the baseline. The Indians had their way with the Chickasaws, running up a 20-point lead before New Hampton landed a shot with 20 seconds left to give the Tribe a 20-2 advantage after one frame.

Although the Indians were able to expand their lead in the second, New Hampton also found more offensive success. Waukon was able to outscore their guests, 20-12, to go ahead 40-14 at the break.

The Indians’ rattled off eight consecutive points to start the third, more points than the Tribe ultimately allowed the Chickasaws in the entire period.

With just a quarter left to go, the Indians held a firm 54-20 lead. The Tribe remained dominant, holding a 70-24 lead with just a minute to play. New Hampton was able to score five unanswered points in those final 60 seconds, but Waukon more than doubled the Chickasaws’ output in the 70-29 win.

Waukon coach Gene Klinge admitted that New Hampton wasn’t able to pressure the Indians much, however the Chickasaws’ game plan was, in the end, helpful. “I though New Hampton did a good job trying to slow the game down to their pace. I think it was good for us to have to scratch to get the ball away. We were able to turn some steals into baskets.”

Klinge also credited the Chickasaws for making their second quarter run. “They did a nice job coming back at us after we had a 20-2 lead after the first.”

Defensively, the Indians’ talents were a big factor in the contest. “Our ability to take the ball away was pretty important,” the coach stated.

As a team, Waukon collected 25 steals. Reiser ended the night with nine takeaways while senior guard Carlyn Wacker had seven and senior forward Emily Garrett collected five.

On the offensive end, Waukon registered a balanced attack. Reiser’s 27 points paved the way while junior forward Tiffany O’Neill added 12, Garrett had 11, and senior post Stephanie Snitker chipped in ten.

O’Neill and Garrett each grabbed five rebounds and Snitker snagged four.

Wacker and Reiser dished out five assists each and Garrett added four.

Reiser also blocked a New Hampton shot.

WAUKON FG FT PF TP

Alex Langland 0 2-4 0 2

Carlyn Wacker 1 0-0 3 2

Ruth Rolling 0 0-0 0 0

Molly Rixen 1 0-0 0 2

Thea Curtin 0 0-0 0 0

Tiffany O’Neill 6 0-0 3 12

Sam Reiser 12 2-3 2 27

Mandy McCarthy 0 0-0 1 0

Emily Garrett 3 5-5 1 11

Jordan Curtin 0 0-2 2 0

Stephanie Snitker 5 0-0 1 10

Stephanie Weighner 1 0-0 1 2

Ramsey Welch 1 0-0 4 2

TOTAL 30 9-14 18 70

3-point goals: Reiser

new hampton FG FT PF TP

Jenna Shatek 0 0-0 0 0

Megan Brown 0 0-0 0 0

Amanda Seelhammer 3 0-2 2 6

Channing Weigel 1 1-2 1 3

Ashley Boeding 1 0-0 0 2

Angie Kipp 2 0-4 2 4

Cassie Smith 0 0-2 1 0

Kim Humpal 1 0-1 3 2

Karla Bachman 4 0-1 2 8

Brittany Trewin 0 0-0 1 0

Lindsey O’Neill 1 2-2 1 4

TOTAL 13 3-14 13 29

Regional semifinal at Decorah...

After ousting the Chickasaws two days earlier, the Indians took the court again Saturday, Feb. 19. Waukon traveled to Decorah to face the 15th-rated Vikings in regional semifinal action. The Indians blasted the host squad 54-23 in front of a packed house.

Waukon rumbled to a 6-0 lead thanks largely to O’Neill’s play on both ends of the court. The junior sank a pair of free shots just eight seconds into the game, added a two-pointer and slapped away a pair of Viking shots in the first two minutes alone. Reiser added a two-point shot and a triple to help the Indians take a 9-3 lead into the second frame.

A couple of Garrett baskets lifted the Tribe to 10-point lead early in the second. In fact, Garrett scored nine of Waukon’s 12 second period points, allowing the visiting team to go ahead 21-10 at halftime.

Wacker connected with O’Neill 20 seconds into the third for a score, but neither team could secure another point until Decorah landed a free throw at the 3:51 mark. Senior guard Thea Curtin scored soon after and Reiser added an old-fashioned three-point play to boost the Tribe to a 17-point lead. Wacker landed a long-range shot just left of the key to give Waukon a 31-13 advantage at the end of the third.

Decorah scored first in the final frame, but the Indians’ had their best quarter of the night offensively in the fourth. The Indians boasted 23 points while holding the Vikings to ten to complete the Vikings’ season with a 54-23 loss.

As the 21-10 halftime score dictated, both sides focused on containing their opponents offensively. Decorah, Klinge noted, executed a fine game plan. “Decorah did a very good job of preparing their defense to stop us. They ran a different defense than we’d seen the first two times we played them.”

The Vikings were pretty successful, too. “They bothered us quite a bit. They took away some of the things we like to to,” the Indian coached admitted.

Waukon’s defense was exceptional as well. “Our defense had to be very sound to hold a team like Decorah to just ten points in the first half,” Klinge added.

Individually, the Tribe focused on keeping Viking Rachel Madrigal out of the scoring column. A trio of Indians spent time guarding the talented sophomore, who finished the night with just a single point. “Emily Garrett played some phenomenal defense against Madrigal and Thea Curtin and Sam Reiser also took turns guarding her when Emily was in foul trouble and they did a fabulous job, too,” the coach stated.

Klinge pointed to the fourth quarter as the deciding factor in the contest, when the Tribe was able to score a few buckets inside against Decorah’s man-to-man defense.

O’Neill was singled out for a super game. She poured in ten points, snagged 13 boards, and blocked three shots. “I think Tiffany had maybe her most complete game of her high school career. She did a real nice job on the boards,” Klinge pointed out.

Wacker was mentioned for a great effort, too. “Carlyn did a fabulous job delivering the ball where it needed to be. She had great timing on the break,” the coach said. Wacker ended the night with six points, five assists, and five steals.

Overall, the Indians had another balanced offensive attack. Reiser and Snitker joined O’Neill in double figures with 11 and ten points, respectively. Garrett was close behind with nine points. “We had a really good balance and that’s what we’ll need during tournament play,” Klinge stated.

Snitker and Garrett pounded the glass for nine and seven rebounds.

WAUKON FG FT PF TP

Alex Langland 0 0-0 0 0

Carlyn Wacker 2 1-2 2 6

Molly Rixen 0 0-0 0 0

Thea Curtin 1 2-2 0 4

Tiffany O’Neill 4 2-2 4 10

Sam Reiser 4 2-3 1 11

Emily Garrett 3 3-4 4 9

Jordan Curtin 1 2-2 2 4

Stephanie Snitker 5 0-0 2 10

Ramsey Welch 0 0-0 0 0

TOTAL 20 12-15 15 54

3-point goals: Wacker, Reiser

decorah FG FT PF TP

Michelle Reddel 0 0-0 2 0

Hailey Doughty 0 0-0 0 0

Megan Reutlinger 0 0-0 0 0

Megan White 2 0-5 1 4

Bethany Van Sloten 0 0-0 1 0

Amanda Henke 3 0-0 2 7

Mallory Broderick 0 0-0 0 0

Liz Madrigal 0 0-0 1 0

Jess Rilling 0 0-0 0 0

Samantha Jewell 0 0-0 3 0

Rachel Madrigal 0 1-2 5 1

Breanna Twait 0 0-1 1 0

Sharese Van Sloten 4 3-6 3 11

TOTAL 9 4-14 19 23

3-point goals: Henke

A win this Friday, Feb. 25, is all the Tribe needs to make a return trip to the Class 3A state tournament. Waukon will face Dubuque Wahlert in the regional final contest at Oelwein High School. The Golden Eagles defeated Oelwein by a 50-36 count in semifinal play.

Klinge has seen Wahlert play, pointing out that defense is a strength, however he’s known the Golden Eagles to throw zone and man-to-man defenses against opponents. “When I saw them play they were in a zone, but they played a tough man-to-man against Oelwein Saturday.”

Wahlert also boasts a tall lineup. “I think they have four girls that are six-foot or taller on their roster.”

The coach added, “They also have a very good player that has been hurt and she’ll probably play against us. This should be an interesting game.”

Action begins at 7 p.m. The winner advances to state tournament quarterfinal action Tuesday, March 8.