Girls’ basketball, Rivalry Saturday 2023: ELC 52, Western Dubuque 33

CEDAR RAPIDS — Western Dubuque didn’t have to accept this game, this challenge.

But that’s what the Bobcats wanted. A measuring stick.

“That’s why I gave them this opportunity,” Coach Amy Ostwinkle said.

But, Haylee Stokes, man ...

“It’s unbelievable how she sees the court,” Ostwinkle added.

Stokes went past the 1,000-point career mark Saturday, notching 22 points, seven rebounds and eight assists as Class 3A No. 1 Estherville-Lincoln Central pulled free from the 4A 15th-ranked Bobcats, 52-33, as part of Rivalry Saturday at Johnson Hall.

The Midgets (1-0) led just 24-19 at halftime before pulling away.

Rylee Yager added 14 points, making all seven of her floor attempts.

Despite the outcome, Western Dubuque (1-2) did not resemble a team that managed just five wins last season, particularly in the first half.

To hold them in the 50s, that’s not bad,“ Ostwinkle said. ”Offensively, we didn’t finish well enough. The timing of out passes was a little slow.“

Karrington Asp, a junior and a North Dakota State commit, led Western Dubuque with 11 points and eight rebounds. Brooklyn Firzlaff added 10 points.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com