Top ranked Johnston too much for Glenwood

In a battle of unbeaten, top-ranked teams Johnston got the best of Glenwood 89-52 at the Winter Tipoff Classic Saturday in Johnston.   

The Class 5A, No. 1 ranked Dragons (3-0) sprinted out to an early 21-4 lead and extended their margin to 48-20 at the half on the Class 4A, No. 1 ranked Rams (2-1).

Aili Tanke led Johnson with 33 points. The sophomore wing hit 13-of-16 shots and grabbed five rebounds. Anna Gossling added 16 and Molly Noeick 15.

Jenna Hopp was the lone Ram to score in double-figures with 26 points.

Glenwood 63,
Atlantic 38

Glenwood scored the game’s first 19 points and cruised to a 63-38 victory Friday over Atlantic.

Cruised might be the operative word. The Rams led by as many 20 in the first quarter but didn’t play their sharpest over the final three quarters, head coach Brian Rasmussen said.

“There were some times we looked sloppy,” Rasmussen said after the game. “I thought we started out well and I think we put it into cruise control and lost some of our intensity on the defensive side, that was where we were getting out good looks offensively. I felt like we took a step back.”

It was full steam ahead for the Rams from the opening tip. They forced 10 first quarter turnovers – most turning into layups on the offensive end – and did not allow the Trojans to score until less than a minute was left in the frame.

Leading 23-2 in the second quarter, the Rams left their foot off the gas. The Trojans cut into the lead but never got closer than 15 points the rest of the way.

Rasmussen did feel like his team played better to open the second half.

“We had a good third quarter,” he added.

The win is the top ranked Rams second straight to open the year by 20 plus points.

Jenna Hopp scored 11 of her game-high 28 points in the first quarter. The junior guard matched her career high set three days earlier in the season-opener.

“She played well. She’s a heck of a player. Everyone looks at the offense and the 28 points she had tonight and the 28 she had the other night and they miss how hard she works on the defensive end and on the boards. That helps not only her to get points but it ignites the rest of the team. Her effort is contagious.”

Abby Hughes added 13 and Brynlee Arnold and Danika Arnold scored eight apiece for the Rams.

Glenwood played its second straight game without last season’s leading scorer, Madison Camden. The senior guard has been out following knee surgery.

“You’re talking about all-area, all-conference, all-state caliber player – we certainly miss her,” he said.. There’s no doubt about that. But I also think there’s opportunities for some other kids to step up and fill that role so if they are called upon they’ll be ready to go later in the season.”

Rasmussen said there’s a chance to have Camden back “sooner that later,” perhaps before Christmas.

“We will certainly welcome her back but I think the kids are floor are doing a good job getting themselves ready to play,” he said.

Glenwood 75,
C.B. Abraham Lincoln 52

Jenna Hopp and Brynlee Arnold both had career-high nights offensively as Glenwood pulled away for a 75-52 victory over Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln in the season-opener last Tuesday.

The Class 4A, No. 1 ranked Rams jumped out to an 18-10 first quarter lead and extended that margin to 39-20 at the half.

Hopp scored 28 points on 9-of-19 shooting, including 5-of-9 from behind the arc. Hopp also grabbed nine rebounds and dished out two assists. Arnold hit 8-of-15 shots for 20 points and pulled down eight rebounds.

Kate Hughes came off the bench to score eight points for the Rams.

Baylie Girres led the Lynx with 15 points.