2 games, 2 impressive wins for CPU girls’ basketball

CEDAR RAPIDS — Now, THAT is a week.

Tayler Reaves hit four 3-pointers and scored 15 points, and Class 3A eighth-ranked Center Point-Urbana made a strong case as best in the Wamac Conference, downing 4A No. 13 Benton Community, 59-36, as part of Rivalry Saturday at Johnson Hall.

“I saw some space, and I was feeling good,” Reaves said. “If I’m open, I’m going to shoot it.”

CPU (2-0, 2-0 Wamac) topped preseason East Division favorite Solon on Tuesday, then built a 30-point lead early in the fourth quarter of this one before coasting home.

The key to the fast start, according to CPU Coach Philip Klett, has been slowing other teams down on the perimeter.

“We weren’t very good on the perimeter defensively last year,” said Klett, whose teams generally are stout on that end. “We really wanted to push that.”

Center Point-Urbana pretty much put this one to rest late in the first quarter. Trailing 10-9, the Stormin’ Pointers closed the period with a 14-2 run for a 23-12 lead, and it was 34-20 at halftime.

Ryley Goebel, a University of Northern Iowa recruit, added 12 points for the winners. Nicole Rick scored nine, Ryanne Hansen eight.

Jenna Twedt led Benton (1-1, 1-1) with 12 points.

Center Point-Urbana 59, Benton Community 36

At Johnson Hall

CENTER POINT-URBANA (59): Tayler Reaves 5-12 1-1 15, Ryanne Hansen 3-5 0-0 8, Kora Katcher 1-2 0-0 2, Ryley Goebel 6-11 0-0 12, Nicole Rick 4-8 1-2 9, Alivia Sweeney 2-2 0-0 5, Laine Hadsall 0-2 1-4 1, Alison Christensen 0-1 0-0 0, Kailey Spurlock 0-0 0-0 0, Addyson Tupa 3-3 1-2 7, Jaclyn Wooldridge 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-46 4-9 59.

BENTON COMMUNITY (36): Emma Townsley 2-5 3-3 7, McKenna Kramer 3-5 0-0 8, Jenna Twedt 4-15 1-2 12, Zoey Junge 1-3 0-0 3, Grace Embretson 3-6 0-0 6, Emma Von Ahsen 0-2 0-0 0, Kennedy Donald 0-1 0-0 0, Addison Phillips 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 13-38 4-5 36.

Benton Community 12 8 3 13 — 36

Center Point-Urbana 23 11 16 9 — 59

3-point goals: CPU 7-17 (Reaves 4-10, Sweeney 1-1, Hadsall 0-1, Hansen 2-3, Tupa 0-1, Rick 0-1), Benton 7-19 (Townsley 0-1, Donald 0-1, Von Ahsen 0-2, Kramer 2-4, Twedt 3-8, Junge 1-2). Team fouls: CPU 11, Benton 12. Fouled out: none. Rebounds: CPU 26 (Rick 8), Benton 13 (Twedt 5). Assists: CPU 14 (Hadsall 5), Benton 4 (four with 1). Steals: CPU 6 (Hansen, Goebel 2), Benton 6 (Von Ahsen 2). Turnovers: CPU 13, Benton 11.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com