West Delaware girls’ basketball stock: Buy, buy, buy

If girls’ basketball teams had stock value, you would be wise to consider a big purchase into West Delaware.

“Our future looks really bright,” Hawks Coach Matt Uthoff said. “As for the present, the girls have that belief that they haven’t had here for a while.”

At 9-12, the Hawks are enjoying their best season since 2015-16. Three freshmen figure prominently, including Brooke Krogmann, the team’s second-leading scorer and top rebounder.

West Delaware travels to Waukon (12-8) Saturday in what should be the top area Class 3A regional-quarterfinal matchup. Tipoff is 7 p.m.

“I think it will be a great game,” Uthoff said. “They have a really nice post player and some athletic guards. We’re going to have to make shots to advance.”

Uthoff is in his second year with the West Delaware girls. Previously, he coached the school’s boys team for seven years, earning Gazette area coach-of-the-year honors in 2017.

“I love it,” Uthoff said of the switch. “I’ve had so much fun with this group. It’s a little bit different, but basketball is still basketball. Relationship-building is a little more positive with girls.”

After a 4-17 campaign last year, the Hawks have stepped forward this winter, particularly since returning from the holiday break. They have won five of their last eight games, triggered by one-point victories over Decorah and Solon.

Two of their losses in that span — against Mount Vernon and Wamac Conference East Division champion Marion — came in overtime.

“I love where we’re at,” Uthoff said. “I’m really happy that (four-year starter) Ella (Koloc) got to experience some success. She is probably the most competitive kid I’ve had, and she has experienced some lows in basketball.”

A four-sport athlete who was the libero on West Delaware’s state-championship volleyball team last fall, Koloc leads the Hawks at 11.1 points per game.

Krogmann adds 10.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game, shooting 56 percent from the field.

Another reason for optimism: The eighth- and seventh-grade teams both were 11-1 this winter.

Waukon counters with the duo of junior Emma Palmer (12.5 ppg) and sophomore Breckan Stewart (10.4 ppg).

The West Delaware-Waukon winner likely will face No. 6 Center Point-Urbana in the regional-semifinal round Wednesday; the Stormin’ Pointers (18-3) welcome Anamosa (0-21) Saturday.

Among other ranked 3A teams in the area, No. 7 West Liberty (17-4) takes its small roster — now expanded to eight — into action at home against Northeast (7-14), and No. 13 Vinton-Shellsburg (13-8) hosts Oelwein (2-19).

The top area teams in 2A begin their tournament trek Tuesday. The best area squad in action Saturday is Dyersville Beckman (6-15), which hosts North Cedar (2-19).

Saturday’s Class 3A Regional Quarterfinals

(All games, 7 p.m.)

REGION 2

Clarion CGD (6-15) at Estherville ELC (20-2)

Iowa Falls-Alden (7-14) at Hampton-Dumont/CAL (15-6)

Crestwood (5-15) at Clear Lake (16-4)

New Hampton (7-13) at North Fayette Valley (15-6)

REGION 3

Anamosa (0-21) at Center Point-Urbana (18-3)

West Delaware (9-12) at Waukon (12-8)

Oelwein (2-19) at Vinton-Shellsburg (13-8)

Dubuque Wahlert (8-13) at Monticello (14-7)

REGION 4

Northeast (7-14) at West Liberty (17-4)

Davenport Assumption (12-9) at Central Lee (13-8)

Tipton (2-19) at Mid-Prairie (13-8)

Camanche (7-14) at West Burlington (15-6)

REGION 5

South Tama (1-20) at Roland-Story (16-5)

Independence (5-16) at Mount Vernon (11-10)

Union Community (4-17) at West Marshall (20-2)

Washington (3-17) at Williamsburg (12-9)

Saturday’s Class 2A Regional First Round

(All games, 7 p.m.)

REGION 4

Postville (3-16) at Clayton Ridge (6-15)

Starmont (1-20) at South Winneshiek (7-13)

REGION 5

Waterloo Columbus (8-13) at Hudson (7-14)

North Cedar (2-19) at Dyersville Beckman (6-15)

REGION 6

Cardinal (5-17) at Van Buren County (7-14)

Pella Christian (3-17) at Pekin (9-12)

Columbus Community (3-18) at Danville (11-10)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com