NEIC All Conference Teams 09-10

As voted by the NEIC coaches:

1st Team

Mary Halvorson Sr Waukon
Abby Lasher Jr Charles City
Mollie Sir Sr Cresco
Ashley Kavorik Sr Cresco
Jessica Stika Sr Cresco
Alex Jipson Sr Oelwein
Moran Lonning Jr Decorah

2nd Team

Logan Hjerleid Sr Waukon
Kristyna Herman Jr Waukon
Maddie Forsyth Sr Charles City
Megan McDonough Sr Decorah
Sam Cuvelier Sr Decorah
Liz Moeror Jr Waverly Shell Rock
Olivia Kreiner So Cresco

Honorable Mention:

Tatum Meyer Sr Waukon
Emily Novotny Sr Cresco
Lisa Berns Jr Charles City
Carissa Berger Sr Waukon
J. Westondorf Jr Waverly Shell Rock
Logan Worden Jr Oelwein
Raelyn Webster Fr New Hampton

Now for my opinion and NEIC conference picks:

1st Team:

Mary Halvorson
Abby Lasher
Molly Sir
Tatum Meyer
Maddie Forsyth
Jessica Stika
Logan Hjerleid

2nd Team

Alex Jipson
Olivia Kreiner
Kristyna Herman
Moran Lonning
Carissa Berger
Ashley Kavorik
Jordon Reiser

Honorable Mention :

Megan McDonough
Lisa Berns
Logan Worden
Liz Moeror
Sam Cuvelier
Jordon Westondorf
Raelyn Webster

It looked to me as the for the most part the coaches in the NEIC voted by scoring average for the most part and I know that my picks may look a bit “homerish” but its my blog and I think the real voting is more anti Waukon overall than I am playing Homer.

How can a team that goes 24-0 in conference over two years (the same team) only get one player on 1st team? Every other team in the NEIC was AT LEAST 0-4 some were 0-5 including districts over the last two years to the same exact players?

Move Ups:

Maddie Forsyth: Leading rebounder in conference, and 5th in scoring. A true banger inside and plays with good intensity. I thought she was a lock for first team.

Tatum Meyer in my opinion was the biggest overlook. For a gaurd to LEAD the conference in Assists and Steals manage to distribute the ball to the other main 5 or 6 players night in and night out, and gaurd the other teams 1st or second option night in and night out and goes 24-0 in conference deservers first team in my book.

Logan Hjerleid– 9.6 points a game, better than average stats in rebounding, assists and steals and Almost always gaurds the other teams #1 threat. Hjerleid held down the likes of Sir, and Lasher (auto first team picks in my book) on a nightly basis

Carissa Berger – was down in points some this year but some of that was due to other Indians stepping up their scoring more from the past season which really averaged out the rest of the Indian scoring . Creates pure havoc in the open floor whenever the ball is loose and if there was a “forced turnover” catergory she would be right at the top in the conference. I’d also like to ask the coaches who voted which one of them wouldn’t take her and instantly put her in their starting lineup??

Jordon Reiser – has been so consistant coming off the Indian bench and being instant offense, and doing from the post or wing. Has shored up the Indians outside attack and gives them a real threat (somthing that plagued them last season at times) Again I can’t see another coach in the confernce saying she couldn’t start on their team.

Tough cuts: Lonning is definatley a great player but only averaged 4 more points a game than Meyer and her team was not even .500 on the season, was held in check by the likes of Hjerleid and Meyer in 5 games the last two seasons

Kavorik also a great gaurd, but was less than average vs the Indian’s, again held down by Hjerleid and Meyer in 4 wins the last two seasons.

Alex Jipson was near the top of conference in scoring and shot the most free throws. She is a tough player but didn’t have enough help to be great. She was getting many of her points when the game was already over, driving to the basket looking for any contact she could find. In my opinion she could start on every other team in the conference besides the Indians but was held in check vs Waukon and her team only won 4 games all season.

Feel free to comment yourselves. This was not meant to belittle any other players in the confernce just my opinion.

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ON TO STATE AGAIN!

The #2 ranked Waukon Indian girls basketball team was looking to take the next step towards their ultimate goal for the season. This step was to advance to the state tournament in Des Moines.

Waukon had a tough task in facing off vs a very good Central Dewitt team who came in ranked 9th in 3A and with an overall record of 19-3, their losses coming to 3 teams that have now made the state tournament in their respective classes. CR Kennedy (4A) Marion (3A) and Mt Vernon (2A).

The Indians got the lead early on two baskets by Logan Hjerleid at 4-0, the pace slowed after that and Dewitt’s two stud players Jen Kietel and Lindsay Smith scored 7 straight to take a 7-4 lead. The Indians called a quick timeout and adjusted. Waukon scored two baskets in the final minutes of the 1st quarter to take an 8 to 7 lead after 1 period.

The Indian defense started to tighten up and hold down Dewitt. Mary Halvorson started to heat up and scored 8 of the Indians 10 points in the second, and the Tribe took an 18 to 11 lead into halftime.

With such a defensive battle going on, points were at a premium and Waukon wanted to come out and push their lead early in the 3rd. The Sabers were having different ideas as they scored the first 5 points in the third to make the score 18-16 Indians.

After that initial rush the two teams traded baskets to keep the game close through the third, the Sabers eventually taking a 25-24 lead with 35 seconds left in the 3rd.

Thats when Jordon Reiser stepped up and answered the bell with yet another big 3 points shot to take the lead back at 27-25 at the end of the 3rd frame.

The fourth quarter started and Mary Halvorson took over……

The Indians had their highest output for a quarter when they needed it, and Halvorson hit big shot after big shot to keep the Indians ahead and with 2:20 to go in the game after a timeout the Tribe was to inbound under their own basket, with most of the Saber team worried about Halvorson a great play for Reiser was created and she knocked home an 8 footer off the glass to give the Indians a 37-31 lead.

After a defensive stop the Indians were content to hold the ball spread the floor and try and win from the line. Halvorson went 5-6 down the stretch from the charity stripe and the Indians pulled away for an exhilarating 43-31 victory in the regional final.

Halvorson scored 13 of the Indians 16 points in the fourth and led all scorers with 25 points on the night, she also pulled down 6 rebounds and had 3 steals.

Logan Hjerleid had a great game with 11 points and 4 boards, and should get alot of credit for gaurding Saber gaurd Lindsay Smith for most of the game and holding her somewhat in check, especially down the stretch.

Reiser was also big as she scored 7 points, all were crucial baskets for the Indians.

Kristyna Herman was held scorless on the night but had a team high 8 rebounds, along with 2 assists and 3 steals.

The Indians had 8 turnovers in the first half, but only 2 in the 2nd, which can be attributed to great gaurd play also by Tatum Meyer and Carissa Berger with floor spacing and controling the ball late in the game.

Waukon moves on to the State tournament where they will face Knoxville(#12) in a first round state game Tuesday March 2nd.

This trip to state is Coach Gene Klinge’s 16th trip in hid career and Waukon’s 4th trip to Des Moines in 7 years. The Indians 23-1 overall are coming off a semi finalist finish from last season, losing to Ballard the eventual 3A champs.

Check back for more stories on this game from other papers, and a preview of the state tournament.

KWWL.com also has a nice video from the news story last evening they did at the game.

Check out http://www.neiowa.com for more info

Indians Dominate West Delaware, Move On To Regional Final

The Indians trailed in this game……for a very brief time at 6-4 and then went on a 20-0 run that stretched early into the 2nd quarter to secure a comfortable lead.

The Indians got two buckets to start the game by Logan Hjerleid, the first was on a called lob play vs the West Delaware zone that was picture perfect. Mary Halvorson started to warm up half way through the first as she got a basket on a secondary break and was fouled to complete a 3 point play, on a nice assist from Carissa Berger.

Waukon got a lift yet again from Jordon Reiser as she came off the bench late in the first quarter and hit a 3 point bomb as time expired in the 1st to give the Indians a 22-6 lead.

The Indians continued to punish West Delaware inside the paint in the 2nd quarter as Halvorson lit the Hawks up for 17 first half points, and Reiser was instant offense with 10 points, all coming late in the first and second quarter.

The Indians held a 41-22 lead at halftime. Waukon looked to come out and close the door on the Hawks to start the second half and they did just that as Logan Hjerleid scored the first three baskets of the half and Halvorson scored the next 3 baskets as the Indians opened with a 12-0 run to start the 3rd quarter.

Waukon pushed on for a commanding 75 to 37 win and advance to the regional final round to face Central Dewitt at 7pm Tuesday in Manchester.

Waukon was led by Mary Halvorson who poured in 28 points and had 9 rebounds and 3 steals. Logan Hjerleid had 12 points and 5 rebounds. Reiser was the third Indian in double digits with 10 points, that included 2-2 from 3 point land.

Carissa Berger had 6 points and 3 assists, Tatum Meyer had 5 points along with 5 assists, 6 steals and 3 rebounds. Kristyna Herman had 5 points and a team high 10 rebounds, and Mullen Wacker had 5 points and 3 steals as well for the Indians.

Indians Defeat Decorah in Intense First Round Game

The Waukon Indian players and coaching staff knew it would be tough. Both players, coaches and fans wondered for the last two weeks if the overtime victory vs Decorah was a bad game by the Indians or a much improved Decorah squad…….Now we know.

The Vikings have been much improved but the Indians were ready and got a great experience tonite as they travel on the journey towards a possible state tournament berth.

Waukon Senior High gym was an electric atmosphere right from the start……visions from the 04-05 season were there as the line outside grew down the sidewalk outside the school in the minutes before the doors opened……First round game or not, this was Big.

Decorah scored the first basket…….as they did in every quarter of the game tonite and then jumped out to a 7-2 lead in the early going. The Indians took an unusual early timeout and it seemed to help as the Indians climbed back in and took the lead on a jumper by Carissa Berger and then an offensive rebound and put back by Mary Halvorson . Halvorson then cashed in on her first two free throws of the night as well.

Waukon moved on to take a 16-11 lead by the end of the first quarter on back to back baskets by Kristyna Herman.

The Indians continued to be patient vs the Decorah zone which switched several times from 2-3 to 1-3-1. Decorah scored the first three buckets of the 2nd to regain the lead but Berger struck back with a driving basket to get it right back for the Tribe.

Both teams continued to trade baskets through the second and Halvorson and Logan Hjerleid each got a pair of baskets to push the Indian lead to 28-25, then in the waiting moments of the first half Tatum Meyer struck from downtown to give the Indians a 31-25 lead going into halftime.

Waukon held onto their lead by the smallest ammounts early in the 3rd as it was cut down to 1 at 33-32, then Meyer knocked home another 3 point shot. Halvorson struck from downlow and Hjerleid got a break away steal and layup to give the Tribe a 40-32 cushion going into the fourth.

The Vikings came out of the zone with about 5 30 remaining in the game to a full court press and the first possesion of that, Jordon Reiser got the ball about 80 feet from the basket, split a double team and drove the ball all the way to about 6 feet from the rim where she pulled up and hit to give the Indians a 10 point cushion.

The Indians turned the ball over twice vs the press but the next time got a layup on great execution by Kristyna Herman to push the lead back to 48-37 with less than 2 minutes to go.

The Indians were very cold from the free throw line late in the game but the Vikings were just as cold from the field and never threatened closer than 8 points in the final minutes. The Tribe held on for a 50-42 win.

Mary Halvorson and Kristyna led a balanced Indian attack with identical numbers of 12 points and 8 rebounds each. Halvorson also added 5 assists and 3 steals. Logan Hjerleid added 10 points, and Tatum Meyer finished with 8 points and a team high 6 assists. Berger and Reiser both added 4 points in the Indian victory.

The Indians will take on West Delaware on Saturday night in Waukon. Game time will be 7pm once again.

Indians Set To Start Postseason: Blackout Vs Decorah

The Class 3A #2 ranked Waukon Indian girls team has finished the first season, and impressive fashion at that as they have won 14 games in a row since their lone loss of the season to Caledonia MN.

The Indians are 20-1 overall and finished the NEIC with a perfect 12-0 for the second straight season.

Waukon hosts a familiar foe in the first round of region 4 class 3A pairing up with Decorah.

The Indians defeated the Vikings @ Decorah on Dec 18th by a score of 57-30, and then again on at home on February 2nd in a frantic overtime game in which Waukon was pushed to the brink. The Indians however prevailed with a 57-54 win.

The Vikings come in with a 9-11 overall mark and a 5-6 conference record. However Decorah has been playing better of late and has lost alot of close games to tough competition this year.

Game time tip will be 7pm at Waukon Senior High. Radio coverage will be provided by 103.5 KNEI. All fans are encouraged to participate in the Blackout by wearing black apparel.

Indians Take Care of Conference Sweep, Stomp New Hampton

The #2 class 3A ranked Waukon Indians had one game of unfinished business in the NEIC to take care of before the new season starts, that was a young inexperienced New Hampton Chickasaw team.

The Indians went to work and dismantled them in the early going with a huge spurt and great play from all of the Tribe. Waukon jumped out to an early advantage and cruised to an 82-39 victory.

Kristyna Herman led the Indians with 22 points and 11 rebounds and also 4 steals. Herman has played great down the stretch since coming off a resting period for her knee. Mary Halvorson continued her hot streak as well scoring 21 points and ripping down 11 boards herself. Halvorson also had 3 assists and steals each.

The rest of the Indians were a strong supporting cast as usual…..Logan Hjerleid had 9 points and pulled down 5 rebounds. Carissa Berger 8 points 3 steals and a couple of assists. Jordan Reiser also had 8 points including 2 three point bombs. Tatum Meyer had 6 points and team highs of 10 assists and 5 steals.

Meyer’s 10 assists broke a school record that was held by Beth Reinke who had 9 vs MFL in the 96-97 season.

Waukon finshes with its second straight conference sweep and title.

The Indians head to the “New Season” as they host Decorah on Wednesday February 17th in the first round of district action. The game is being called a “Blackout” and all Indian fans are encouraged to wear black and support the Indians.

Waukon Defeats Cresco, Wraps Up 2nd Straight NEIC Title

The Waukon Indians came out hot in the early going, and were looking to put the Cadets away early…. Logan Hjerleid got 6 quick points and the Indians jumped out to a 10-4 lead but the Cadets battled back and took a 12-10 lead late in the first quarter. The Indians however tied the game at 12 to end the first quarter.

Waukon held a small lead through the second quarter but Cresco got a couple of transition baskets and took a 20-17 lead with 2 minutes left in the half. The Indians were cold from the perimeter as they missed their first 8 3 point attempts vs the packed in Crestwood 2-3 zone, and the Cadets even hit their own three to push their lead to 25-21 with 25 seconds left in the half, however Jordon Reiser answered big with her 2nd 3 point bomb as the 1st half buzzer sounded to make the score 25-24 Crestwood.

Hjerleid stayed hot and got the first bucket of the second half and the game went back and forth at that point and the Cadets took the lead again at 29-28 with 3 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter.

Waukon then went on a huge 9-0 run to bust the game open. It started with a frantic rebound and put back by Tatum Meyer who got fouled and sunk the free throw. Mary Halvorson then got a basket down low. Hjerleid struck again on a drive and basket.

Halvorson then got an open court steal and took it one on one vs the lone Crestwood defender who was back and drove by her with an open court move and got the basket.

Crestwood answered back again with an inside bucket, but with time running down in the 3rd Jordon Reiser struck again from downtown as the buzzer sounded and the Indians had a 40-31 lead going into the fourth quarter.

Crestwood came out in man to man in the fourth but it was too late. The Indians moved the ball well, hit shots when they were open and went an incredible 13-14 from the line in the second half as they did not have a FT in the first half. That lead to the Indians widening the gap and winning the game 58-43.

Reiser came off the bench to lead the Indians with 15 on the night. Mary Halvorson and Logan Hjerleid both finished with 12 points. Halvorson also had 5 steals and 7 rebounds. Tatum Meyer popped in 9 and Kristyna Herman finished with 8 points and 14 huge rebounds along with 7 steals.

Congratulations to the Indians who now have won 23 NEIC games in a row and have their second Conference Crown and own a overall record of 19-1. Coach Gene Klinge records career win #950 and the Indians just have one bump left in the road to keep them from a perfect conference season, New Hampton on Saturday.