Vinton-Shellsburg stuns No. 1 ELC at the girls’ state basketball tournament

DES MOINES — He told you so.

Before Vinton-Shellsburg’s first state-tournament game in 24 years, Coach Rich Haisman could be heard in the Wells Fargo Arena tunnel, announcing to a bystander:

“We’re winning this game.”

Haisman believed. The Vikettes believed. And, by golly, they did it.

No. 10 Vinton-Shellsburg overcame a rocky start, made hay at the free-throw line and stunned No. 1 Estherville-Lincoln Central, 54-46, in a Class 3A quarterfinal at the girls’ state basketball tournament Monday evening at Wells Fargo Arena.

With all due respect to ELC’s nickname (the Midgets), the Vikettes (18-7) were giant killers, snapping the defending 3A champions’ win streak at 38 games.

“We knew we were going to win,” Ashlie Meyer said. “Everyone out there doubted us. But we wanted it more, and they hadn’t played the same teams we’ve played.”

Vinton-Shellsburg earned its first state-tournament win since a 1996 3A semifinal victory over Washington (Iowa).

The Vikettes will face No. 4 Benton Community (22-3) in a semifinal at 1:30 Thursday afternoon. Benton topped the Vikettes twice in the regular season, but the Vikettes are relishing their underdog status.

It didn’t look good early. The Vikettes were 1-of-13 in the first quarter, and the Midgets led 14-2.

“We took a deep breath, shook off the nerves and played our game,” Alyssa Griffith said.

By halftime, it was a game again, with the Vikettes within 20-16. It was 35-29 entering the fourth period.

Then the Vikettes pounced.

Kalie Burke’s basket on an inbounds play gave Vinton-Shellsburg a 38-37 lead with 5:53 left, and the Vikettes never trailed again.

Jordan Stokes’ free throw tied it, 43-43, with 1:58 left. Griffith scored on a drive, then Julia Johnson did the same, and the Vikettes held a 47-43 lead with a minute left.

Hillary Ruschy’s 3-pointer made it 47-46 at the 0:48 mark, then the Vikettes closed it out with 7 of 8 free throws down the stretch.

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Girls’ state basketball photos: Vinton-Shellsburg vs. ELC in 3A quarterfinals

“If we took care of the ball, got to the fourth quarter and made it a tight game, I felt we were going to win,” Haisman said.

Vinton-Shellsburg made 24 of 32 foul shots, ELC 11 of 24.

“Haisman talks to us all the time about poise,” Abby Davis said. “We relaxed out there and just played like it was open gym.”

How’s this for poise? The Vikettes turned it over just nine times.

Griffith finished with 17 points to lead all scorers, and grabbed 10 rebounds. Meyer added 12 points, Davis 11. Brylee Bruce snagged 12 boards.

Ruschy paced ELC with 11 points. Both of the Stokes sisters tallied 10.

“Look at our personnel, and look at their personnel,” Griffith said. “They have the Stokes sisters, and we have five to seven girls that can score.”

Depth won. Poise won. Belief won.

Rich Haisman told you so.

Vinton-Shellsburg 54, Estherville-Lincoln Central 46

Class 3A State Quarterfinal, at Des Moines

VINTON-SHELLSBURG (54): Abby Davis 3-10 4-4 11, Sophia Kreutner 0-1 1-2 1, Ashlie Meyer 2-5 8-10 12, Alyssa Griffith 4-7 9-12 17, Brylee Bruce 1-3 2-3 4, Julia Johnson 2-9 0-0 5, Kalie Burke 2-4 0-1 4. Totals 14-39 24-32 54.

ESTHERVILLE-LINCOLN CENTRAL (46): Brei Christoffer 1-4 0-2 2, Jordyn Stokes 2-9 6-7 10, Rylee Yager 3-4 1-7 7, Jasey Anderson 3-6 0-0 6, Haylee Stokes 3-16 3-6 10, Cara Schiltz 0-0 0-0 0, Hillary Ruschy 4-11 1-2 11. Totals 16-50 11-24 46.

Vinton-Shellsburg 2 14 13 25 — 54

Estherville-Lincoln Central 14 6 15 11 — 46

3-point goals: Vinton-Shellsburg 2-10 (Davis 1-1, Kreutner 0-1, Meyer 0-2, Johnson 1-6), ELC 3-16 (J. Stokes 0-2, Anderson 0-1, H. Stokes 1-7, Ruschy 2-6). Team fouls: Vinton-Shellsburg 16, ELC 25. Fouled out: none. Rebounds: Vinton-Shellsburg 34 (Bruce 12), ELC 33 (H. Stokes 6, Ruschy 6). Assists: Vinton-Shellsburg 7 (Meyer 5), ELC 8 (H. Stokes 4). Steals: Vinton-Shellsburg 5 (Griffith, Bruce 2), ELC 4 (Christoffer 2). Turnovers: Vinton-Shellsburg 9, ELC 11.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com