Linn-Mar pops No. 9 Muscatine

MARION -- Linn-Mar's defensive scheme on Leti Lerma was straight forward and simple.

"Total denial," said Sara Strauel, who had the majority of the duty on Lerma in a straight-up, man-to-man strategy. "I tried to not let her get the ball."

The Lions held Lerma to less than half of her season average, and Mykaela Brandt (22 points) and Strauel (16) posted career-highs as Linn-Mar raised some eyebrows with a 71-49 stroll over Class 4A No. 9 Muscatine in a non-conference girls' basketball game Saturday night at Linn-Mar High School.

Kiah Stokes, Miss Iowa Basketball 2011, has taken her game to the University of Connecticut. But life goes on at Linn-Mar. And for now, life is pretty good.

"It was fun to watch Kiah. She was great," Strauel said. "Now we really have to work hard and work together. All five of us have to be on the same page."

They were in nice harmony Saturday. the Lions (2-0) took charge late in the first quarter, and took it to their guests from the Mississippi Athletic Conference.

The day started poorly for the Muskies (2-1), who waited in vain at their school for a bus to arrive before giving up and making the trip in four cars. It didn't get much better once they got to the gym.

"They came out aggressive and played hard," said Muskies Coach Susan Orvis. "We were behind that all night."

Strauel was indicative of the aggression, staying in Lerma's hip pocket and holding her to 11 points, and grabbing eight rebounds in leading the Lions to a 32-25 rebounding advantage.

Lerma came into the game averaging 23.5 points per game.

"I'm very happy with our defensive effort," said Linn-Mar Coach Mike Brandt. "We made (Lerma) work for everything she got. We know she likes to get the ball and go to work. We wanted to keep it out of her hands."

Meanwhile, Mykaela Brandt was fiery on the offensive end. Normally a spot-up shooter in the past, she drove to the hoop relentlessly.

"It's really something I worked on this summer," she said.

After a 94-7 four-year run with Stokes in the post, Mykaela Brandt and her teammates are relishing the under-the-radar life this season.

"No one expects much out of us," she said. "But we believe in each other, and I like being the underdog."

Linn-Mar trailed, 10-9, before scoring the final six points of the first quarter. In one series, Shanice Cheatham scored on a fourth shot.

The Lions pulled away from there, leading 38-22 at the half.

Cheatham added 12 points.

Linn-Mar opens Mississippi Valley Conference play Tuesday at Iowa City High. Muscatine begins its MAC slate Friday at home against Burlington.

LINN-MAR 71, MUSCATINE 49

At Linn-Mar

MUSCATINE (49): Emily Clemens 2-5 0-0 5, Megan Thiesse 4-14 0-0 9, Alex Walgren 3-6 3-4 9, Leti Lerma 5-12 1-2 11, Megan Beauchamp 0-0 0-0 0, Shalyn Greenhaw 3-8 2-4 8, Katie Shoultz 1-4 1-2 3, Kaylie Miller 2-3 0-1 4. Totals 20-52 7-13 49.

LINN-MAR (71): Mykaela Brandt 8-12 3-4 22, Sara Strauel 5-10 6-8 16, Rachel Thrune 4-7 0-0 9, Shanice Cheatham 5-7 2-4 12, Courtney Major 1-4 4-6 7, Alexis Libenguth 0-2 0-0 0, Hannah Yearling 0-1 1-2 1, Kristen Eiles 1-1 0-0 2, Jenna Harms 0-2 0-0 0, Carly Ryder 0-0 0-0 0, Kelsey Duggan 1-1 0-0 2, Lauren Koelker 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-47 16-24 71.

Halftime: Linn-Mar 38, Muscatine 22.

3-point goals: Muscatine 2-11 (Clemens 1-2, Thiesse 1-6, Lerma 0-2, Shoultz 0-1), Linn-Mar 5-9 (Brandt 3-4, Thrune 1-1, Major 1-3, Yearling 0-1).

Team fouls: Muscatine 17, Linn-Mar 12.

Fouled out: Beauchamp.

Rebounds: Muscatine 25 (Greenhaw 8), Linn-Mar 32 (Strauel 8).

Assists: Muscatine 5 (Clemens 2), Linn-Mar 6 (six with 1).

 Steals: Muscatine 8 (four with 2), Linn-Mar 7 (three with 2).

Turnovers: Muscatine 15, Linn-Mar 13.