No. 1 Unity just too much for Cascade

DES MOINES - Hard work beats talent, it is said, when talent doesn't work hard.

But when it does, this is what happens.

Top-ranked Unity Christian dominated the glass and defended extremely well in a 53-34 conquest of No. 13 Cascade in a Class 2A quarterfinal at the girls' state basketball tournament Monday afternoon at Wells Fargo Arena.

'They were extremely good, but we knew that coming in,” said Cascade's Bailey Holmes.

Last year's 3A runner-up, Unity Christian (25-0) pulled steadily away through the first half. The Knights held Cascade (21-4) to 23-percent shooting before halftime and worked for an almost unfathomable 21-5 rebounding advantage.

'I think it's just our athleticism,” said Unity Coach Jay Schuiteman. 'It's what we've done all year. We're a team built on defense and rebounding. If the ball isn't falling, we can hold teams down.”

The Knights will face No. 4 IKM-Manning/No. 6 South Central Calhoun in the semifinals at 11:45 a.m. Thursday.

Cascade was making their third consecutive state appearance, but Unity was just too good.

'Another season that ends in Des Moines,” said Cougars Coach Mike Sconsa. 'I told them afterward that I love them. They're warriors. I love the way we play. We're not the most talented team, but we play so hard.”

But the Knights matched the Cougars' effort.

A six-point run gave Unity a 10-3 lead midway through the first quarter, and the cat was essentially out of the bag. It was 15-6 after a quarter, 30-12 at halftime.

Chanda Zomermaand led the Knights with 19 points. Anna Kiel added 16, and Kassidy DeJong supplied eight points, 12 rebounds and five steals.

Carolyn Trumm scored 10 points and five steals for Cascade. Claire Molony added nine.

The final damage on the glass was 40-17. In terms of final margin on the scoreboard, Cascade played Unity to its third closest game of the year.

UNITY CHRISTIAN 53, CASCADE 34 (Class 2A State Quarterfinals)

At Des Moines

CASCADE (34): Lynsey Dolphin 1-5 1-3 3, Bailey Holmes 2-6 1-3 6, Lisa Tucker 1-1 0-0 2, Claire Molony 3-6 3-3 9, Carolyn Trumm 4-13 2-4 10, Anna Hunt 0-0 0-0 0, Macie Weber 0-0 0-0 0, Natalie Frasher 0-1 0-0 0, Noelle Green 0-0 0-0 0, Alyssa McDermott 0-0 0-0 0, Kylie Kelchen 0-0 0-0 0, Riley Takes 0-0 0-1 0, Rose Strang 1-1 0-1 2, Abbie Ruggeberg 1-4 0-0 2. Totals 13-37 7-15 34.

UNITY CHRISTIAN (53): Chanda Zomermaand 7-11 0-0 19, Alyssa Fedders 0-2 0-2 0, Kasside DeJong 3-8 2-5 8, Anna Kiel 6-9 4-8 16, Heather Schouten 2-4 0-0 5, Tessa Schoonoven 0-0 0-0 0, Stephanie Westra 0-0 0-0 0, Justine Van Sloten 0-1 0-0 0, Jena Schouten 0-1 0-0 0, Deidra Noteboom 1-2 3-4 5, Josie Blankespoor 0-2 0-0 0, Allison Timmermans 0-1 0-0 0, Paige Visscher 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 19-42 9-19 53.

Halftime: Unity 30, Cascade 12. 3-point goals: Cascade 1-9 (Dolphin 0-2, Holmes 1-5, Molony 0-1, Ruggeberg 0-1), Unity 6-17 (Zomermaand 5-8, Fedders 0-1, DeJong 0-3, H.Schouten 1-3, Van Sloten 0-1, J.Schouten 0-1). Team fouls: Cascade 17, Unity 18. Fouled out: none. Rebounds: Cascade 17 (Trumm 3), Unity 40 (DeJong 12). Assists: Cascade 3 (three with 1), Unity 14 (three with 3). Steals: Cascade 13 (Trumm 5), Unity 14 (DeJong 5). Turnovers: Cascade 20, Unity 21.

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com