Overtime win sends Springville to its first outright league title in 10 years

DELHI — It’s not bravado. And it’s certainly not false bravado.

But when the ball is off the rim and up for grabs, Rowan Jacobi likes her chances.

“I don’t think anybody can beat me on the glass,” she said.

Jacobi got better as the game got longer, posting 25 points and 15 rebounds to lead Class 1A sixth-ranked Springville to a 57-54 overtime victory over 2A No. 5 Maquoketa Valley in a Tri-Rivers Conference West Division girls basketball game Tuesday night at Maquoketa Valley High School.

The outcome assures the Orioles (15-1 overall, 7-0 division) of their first outright divisional title in 10 years. They shared the crown in 2022.

“It’s been a while,” Springville Coach Christina Zaruba said. “It’s exciting.”

So was this game. The Orioles overcame a 10-point third-quarter deficit, plus a mini-epidemic of sniffles and coughs.

“We’ve had our days,” Lexi Dietiker said between sniffles. “But we kept it together as a team.”

Maquoketa Valley (14-2, 5-2) had a chance to win in regulation, but Audra Burbridge missed two free throws with 2.1 seconds left.

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Burbridge led all scorers with 26 points, many directly as a result of seven steals.

Jacobi hit two foul shots to start the extra session, Dietiker followed with two more, and the Orioles led throughout the four bonus minutes.

With Springville clinging to a 55-54 lead, Jacobi got in a passing lane on the wing, secured a steal and provided two free throws with 1.7 seconds left.

A signee of the University of South Dakota, Jacobi had a modest seven points and two rebounds at halftime.

Obviously, she picked it up after that.

“We have shooters that can shoot,” said Jacobi, who led the Orioles to a 28-13 rebounding margin after halftime.

“I had more (opportunities) for second chances (later in the game).”

Dietiker added 13 points, Addison Merritt 11 for the winners. Jacey Martin came off the bench to secure 10 rebounds.

“Even when we were down 10, I thought we had a shot,” Zaruba said. “We were going to go on a run at some point.”

Dietiker had a pair of baskets in a 6-0 run late in regulation that gave Springville a 49-48 lead — its first since 3-2.

Grace Richter’s free throw with 1:03 remaining to got the Wildcats even.

Richter notched 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Springville 57, Maquoketa Valley 54 (OT)

At Delhi

SPRINGVILLE (57): Addison Merritt 2-9 5-7 11, Lexi Dietiker 5-15 2-4 13, Ella Hoge 1-2 0-0 3, Kalleigh Greene 1-4 0-0 2, Rowan Jacobi 9-14 7-7 25, Jacey Martin 1-3 1-2 3, Madison Williams 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 19-48 15-20 57.

MAQUOKETA VALLEY (54): Lanni Beaman 1-10 3-3 5, Madison Thompson 3-9 0-0 8, Audra Burbridge 10-21 3-6 26, Grace Richter 5-11 3-5 13, Macee Nolan 1-2 0-0 2, McKenna Mineart 0-2 0-0 0, Taryn Burbridge 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 20-55 9-14 54.

Springville 7 12 17 13 8 — 57

Maquoketa Valley 9 14 16 10 5 — 54

3-point goals: Springville 4-23 (Merritt 2-8, Dietiker 1-8, Hoge 1-2, Greene 0-2, Jacobi 0-3), Maquoketa Valley 5-27 (Beaman 0-5, Thompson 2-8, A. Burbridge 3-11, Richter 0-1, Mineart 0-2). Team fouls: Springville 14, Maquoketa Valley 14. Fouled out: Richter. Rebounds: Springville 44 (Jacobi 15), Maquoketa Valley 25 (Richter 11). Assists: Springville 8 (Greene 3), Maquoketa Valley 6 (Beaman 3). Steals: Springville 4 (four with 1), Maquoketa Valley 10 (A. Burbridge 7). Turnovers: Springville 16, Maquoketa Valley 7.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com