No. 1 Crestwood girl cagers crunch Anamosa, return to State

OELWEIN - Dominating performances on offense and defense by the Class 3A No. 1 Crestwood girls’ basketball team allowed the Cadets to thrash Anamosa, 77-45, Saturday in the Region 4 Final to advance to the State Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

This year marks the seventh time overall trip to State for the Cadets, including the fourth time in the past five years. Crestwood qualified for State in 1995, 1997, 2003, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.

No. 1 seed Crestwood (23-0) will face No. 8 South Tama (15-9) in the first round at the State Tournament in Des Moines at 11:45 a.m. on Feb. 27. The winner will face either Davenport Assumption (16-8) or North Polk (21-3) in the semifinals at 5 p.m. on Mar. 1. The championship game will be at 3 p.m. on Mar. 3.

Saturday’s Region 4 Final against Anamosa turned into a rout before most fans got comfortable in their seats. The Cadets opened the game on a 14-0 run before the Raiders finally got on the scoreboard with 3:18 left in the first. Crestwood snagged a 27-7 lead after one period and extended the advantage to 46-22 at halftime.

“When we started out the game with a 14-0 run, and with the way our defense always plays, we knew great things would happen,” Cadet Coach Doug Sickles said. “We jumped out on Anamosa early, and they weren’t quite ready for us. Our kids always do a darn good job of sharing the ball on offense.

“Our defense also played well by holding Anamosa scoreless on their first six possessions. With our team, it can be hard for our opponents to defend us because we are not afraid to throw it to the open girl. I’m very proud of our girls with the way they share the ball,” Sickles said.

Senior Brynn Bodermann noted the defense was a big key to the win.

“We started strong on defense and I think that helped to push us,” Bodermann said. “Coach Sickles always talks about how defense wins games. I think if our defense will lead us at State, that will be our ticket (to success). It feels amazing to get back to State!”

Seniors Ellie Friesen and Shannon Pisney said the whole team played well on both ends of the court. This year marks Shannon’s third trip to State with the Cadets and Ellie’s second trip.

“We came out firing on offense, and our defense played well,” Pisney said. “Coach Sickles told us we needed to contain Anamosa’s tall players, and we did a good job with that.”

“Our teamwork was a big factor,” Friesen said. “We knew this was a big game, but we also knew we could count on each other, which was important.”

“Getting to State this year feels different this year because we have more confidence,” Pisney said. “Our defense, teamwork and doing what we usually do will be keys for us at State this year.”

Sickles noted the entire team was ready to make another State Tourney run.

“Our girls have been on a mission all year, and hopefully, we can continue it,” Sickles said. “Our girls will be focused at State. We always play one game at a time. It’s pretty cool for our kids (to get back to State). I know how much time the kids put in during the summer, and how much they care for each other, and that’s what it’s about. People sometimes ask me if I’m nervous about a game, but I’m nervous that I might disappoint the kids because that is what it’s all about,” Sickles said.

 

Cadet statistics

Sharon Goodman led the Cadets on offense with 26 points, had three rebounds and four assists. Shannon Pisney tallied 22 points, including one three-pointer, had seven rebounds, three assists and three steals. 

Ellie Friesen posted 22 points, including four three-pointers, had 11 assists, three rebounds and two steals. Emily Friesen had three points on one three-pointer, had five assists and two steals. 

Kaylee Thomas had two points. Brynn Bodermann had two points, three steals and two rebounds. Sam Balk and Laken Lienhard each had one rebound.

Score by quarters

CW   27   19   21   10 - 77

Ana   7    15   12   11 - 45