Rams Split Pair Of Hawkeye 10 Conference Games

Glenwood split a pair of Hawkeye 10 Conference girls basketball games last week with Clarinda and Council Bluffs St. Albert.

The Rams began the week on Tuesday by avenging an early season loss to Clarinda with a 47-37 victory on Pink Out Night. The Rams opened up a 13-point lead before halftime and kept the Cardinals at bay for the remainder of the game.

“We got off to fast start and that was key, similar to last week against Underwood,” Glenwood Coach Brian Rasmussen said. “I was pretty proud of the kids. We didn’t play well against them the first time we played – it was probably our poorest game of the year, so I think the girls were pretty motivated by losing to them at their place.”

Clarinda edged Glenwood 38-37, in their first meeting back in December, but last week, the Rams turned up the defensive pressure and took control of the boards to take down the Cardinals.

Glenwood’s defense forced 30 Clarinda turnovers and the Rams pulled down 15 offensive rebounds.

“I felt like our defense was probably the difference in that game, forcing some turnovers,” Rasmussen said. “I felt like we played with good intensity, even when we weren’t getting it done offensively. And 15 offensive rebounds, for us that’s a pretty big number because we don’t typically rebound really well. That’s something we kind of really put a focus on.”

Maggie McChesney was a force all night for Glenwood, recording 13 points, six rebounds and four steals. Lauren Hughes scored 13 points with four rebounds, while Danika Arnold totaled 10 points, four rebounds and three steals. Neyla Nanfito had eight points to go along with four assists, three rebounds and three steals.

Jerzee Knight led all Clarinda scorers with 13 points. Maddie Cole chipped in a dozen.

St. Albert 58,
Glenwood 32

Thursday night, St. Albert pulled away from Glenwood in the second half to clinch the Hawkeye 10 Conference championship with a 58-32 victory.

The Saintes, who have won 17 straight games, led by just four points at halftime but outscored the Rams 36-14 in the second half.

“Again, I feel like we had another great start, we just don’t quite have the size and depth that they do and that was the big difference in the game,” Rasmussen said. “Honestly, I actually thought we played really well defensively. For a half of basketball, we were right there with them and gave them fits. We matched their level of intensity, but they made some adjustments at halftime that got them the basketball with some good looks around the hoop.”

In the second half, St. Albert’s size and depth took a toll on Glenwood.

“Our kids are getting dog-tired. We only go about seven deep,” Rasmussen said. “They’re putting everybody on their bench out there and not losing a lot.”

Avah Underwood and Missy Evezic paced St. Albert’s attack, each scoring 14 points. The Saintes improved to 18-1 overall and 10-0 in the conference with the win.

Maggie Smith and McChesney were Glenwood’s leading scorers with 13 and eight points respectively.

Glenwood, 11-6 overall and 6-4 in the Hawkeye 10 after last week’s action, is completing the regular season this week. The Rams took on Harlan and Lewis Central on Monday and Tuesday night before hosting Denison on Friday night.

Rasmussen said the intensity of the last two weeks of the season has helped prepare the Rams for the postseason.

“I feel like we’re already in that mode, which to me is a good thing, because the kids just want to keep on playing,” he said. “The team is getting better. I truly do feel like we’re playing our best basketball now. We’re ready for the stretch (run).”