Cascade puts chill on Maquoketa Valley

CASCADE — A long drought made a big, big difference.

No. 13 Cascade held Maquoketa Valley without a field goal for a stretch of more than 14 minutes, an 0-for-23 cold spell that enabled the Cougars to gain separation in a 50-43 Class 2A girls' basketball regional semifinal victory Friday night at Cascade High School.

'We just wanted to get some good stops,' said Bailey Holmes, a Cascade senior guard. 'Maquoketa Valley has some good shooters. We knew we had to play really hard.'

A state semifinalist each of the past two years, Cascade (20-3) is on the brink of a third consecutive state berth. The Cougars will face Durant (16-7) in a regional final at 7 p.m. Monday at Clarence.

Durant downed West Branch, 50-35, Friday.

Maquoketa Valley bowed out at 17-6. Despite their shooting inaccuracy (12 of 53, 22.6 percent), the Wildcats still had a chance deep into the fourth quarter.

Brianna Mensen's two free throws pulled Maquoketa Valley within 42-40 with 1:32 to play. But Carolyn Trumm hit 1 of 2 free throws, then located Riley Takes on a backdoor cut to make it 45-40 with 45 seconds left.

From there, free throws carried the Cougars home.

'They made a great run, but we knew they would,' said Cascade Coach Mike Sconsa. 'We bent, but we didn't fully break, and we're moving on.'

Holmes and Lynsey Dolphin made three 3-pointers apiece and both scored 13 points to lead the Cougars, who prevailed despite major foul trouble. Holmes fouled out with 2:50 to go, Trumm followed her to the bench with 39 seconds left, and two others finished with four fouls.

'It was a long fourth quarter, especially since I fouled out,' Holmes said. 'It was so intense.'

The first quarter ended in a 10-10 stalemate before the Wildcats went cold. They were 0-for-12 from the floor in the second quarter, then missed their first 11 shots of the third.

In the meantime, Cascade built a 27-14 advantage late in the third period.

'We just couldn't make a shot,' said Maquoketa Valley Coach Scot Moenck. 'We rushed some shots early.

'It's tough. We played hard and came up a little short.'

Mensen scored 14 points to pace the Wildcats. Abby Jay posted eight points and 11 rebounds.

Trumm and Takes added nine points apiece for Cascade and combined for 18 rebounds.

CASCADE 50, MAQUOKETA VALLEY 43 (Class 2A Regional Semifinal)

At Cascade

MAQUOKETA VALLEY (43): Erin Digmann 1-14 3-4 6, Megan Mensen 1-7 2-2 4, Brianna Mensen 4-12 6-9 14, Annie Fjelstul 1-1 1-2 3, Abby Jay 3-8 2-5 8, Ashley Holtz 1-6 1-2 4, Morgan Manternach 1-3 2-4 4, Kristi Goedken 0-2 0-0 0, Caitlyn Schuman 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 12-53 17-28 43.

CASCADE (50): Lynsey Dolphin 4-8 2-2 13, Bailey Holmes 3-13 4-8 13, Lisa Tucker 0-1 0-0 0, Claire Molony 1-5 0-1 2, Carolyn Trumm 1-6 7-8 9, Riley Takes 3-4 3-6 9, Abbie Ruggeberg 1-3 2-4 4, Macie Weber 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 13-40 18-29 50.

Halftime: Cascade 22, Maquoketa Valley 12. 3-pointers: Maquoketa Valley 2-18 (Digmann 1-8, M.Mensen 0-1, B.Mensen 0-3, Holtz 1-6), Cascade 6-16 (Dolphin 3-4, Holmes 3-9, Molony 0-3). Team fouls: Maquoketa Valley 21, Cascade 24. Fouled out: M.Mensen, Holmes, Trumm. Rebounds: Maquoketa Valley 38 (Jay 11), Cascade 40 (Takes 10). Assists: Maquoketa Valley 3 (B.Mensen 3), Cascade 9 (Molony, Trumm, Takes 2). Steals: Maquoketa Valley 11 (Digmann 5), Cascade 7 (Holmes 3). Turnovers: Maquoketa Valley 12, Cascade 20.

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