Newell-Fonda pulls away late in 79-57 win over West Liberty

CEDAR RAPIDS — West Liberty won’t see a team like that again this season.

“They’re good,” Kelsey Joens said, referring to Newell-Fonda and somewhat understating the obvious. “They run the floor well, they can shoot. They have strong post play.”

Meanwhile, it’s unlikely that Newell-Fonda will see a player like that again this season.

We’re talking about Joens.

The Iowa City High transfer and Iowa State University signee scored 33 points (including a Rivalry Saturday record 15 free throws in 19 attempts), but Class 1A second-ranked Newell-Fonda had more greyhounds and defeated 3A No. 6 West Liberty, 79-57, Saturday afternoon at Johnson Hall.

Newell-Fonda (2-0) did what Newell-Fonda does, running the court, pushing the pace and subbing a lot. It dimmed the Joens sister debut at West Liberty, but just a little.

Courtney Joens was named the Comets’ head coach last summer. A 5A all-stater last year, Kelsey Joens transferred early in the fall.

“It’s working well,” Kelsey said. “It’s a bit different from what I’m used to, but different is good. I love these girls. They have accepted me and have allowed me to be me.

“Right now, (Courtney) isn’t my sister. We have to have a player-coach relationship. We understand each other well.”

Saturday was trial by fire, but there are many good days ahead for the Comets (0-1), who trailed by only eight points with 5 minutes to go.

“We’ve got a lot of good athletes,” Courtney Joens said. “We got to see a lot of things today, but there are a lot of things we’ve got to work on.”

Kinzee Hinders came off the bench to lead Newell-Fonda with 18 points.

Newell-Fonda 79, West Liberty 57

At Johnson Hall

WEST LIBERTY (57): Sophie Buysse 2-8 2-4 6, Monica Morales 4-7 0-0 8, Finley Hall 2-12 2-2 7, Pearson Hall 1-4 1-2 3, Kelsey Joens 7-16 15-19 33, Brooklyn Buysse 0-4 0-0 0, Mckinzie Akers 0-1 0-0 0, Maelyn Wainwright 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 16-52 20-27 57.

NEWELL-FONDA (79): Mary Walker 4-14 3-7 11, Mia Walker 3-5 2-3 8, McKenna Sievers 3-7 1-2 8, Laney Hogrefe 3-5 2-2 8, Kierra Jungers 6-14 3-3 18, Greta Larsen 0-0 0-0 0, Isabel Bartek 2-7 2-2 6, Emma Erickson 2-9 0-0 5, Kinzee Hinders 6-10 6-7 21. Totals 29-71 19-26 79.

West Liberty 18 13 13 13 — 57

Newell-Fonda 23 21 10 25 — 79

3-point goals: West Liberty 5-26 (S. Buysse 0-5, Morales 0-2, F. Hall 1-7, P. Hall 0-1, B. Buysse 0-1, Akers 0-1, Joens 4-9), Newell-Fonda 2-23 (Mary Walker 0-5, Bartek 0-3, Mia Walker 0-1, Sievers 1-3, Erickson 1-7, Hogrefe 0-1, Jungers 0-3). Team fouls: West Liberty 20, Newell-Fonda 21. Fouled out: F. Hall. Rebounds: West Liberty 23 (Joens 10), Newell-Fonda 35 (Hogrefe 8). Assists: West Liberty 8 (F. Hall, P. Hall 3), Newell-Fonda 13 (Sievers 7). Steals: West Liberty 7 (F. Hall 3), Newell-Fonda 15 (Bartek 4). Turnovers: West Liberty 21, Newell-Fonda 10.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com