Co-coaches pilot unbeaten Turkey Valley

DES MOINES — What happens when you have two coaches with equal authority, and they disagree?

'I don't know,' Carletta Nymeyer said. 'There's never been an occasion in which we haven't been on the same page.'

Nymeyer and Dan Stepan share coaching duties at Turkey Valley. They have been designated as 'co-head coaches' for the past three seasons.

'The biggest thing is, we respect each other,' Nymeyer said. 'He has more years coaching at a higher level.'

Stepan is in his fourth year as a head coach. Nymeyer joined him three years ago after coaching the nucleus of the current team — including her daughter, Sadie — in middle school.

Nymeyer said she generally gets the practices organized and works on fundamental skills. Stepan is the X-and-O guy and takes care of statistics.

The past three seasons have produced a 61-12 record, including 25-0 this season after a 55-51 win over Mount Ayr in Monday's Class 1A quarerfinal, the Trojans' state-tournament debut.

The top-rated Trojans face Burlington Notre Dame in the semifinals Thursday.

ORIOLES WINNING, FEEDING

Two days before playing their Class 1A first-round game, the Springville Orioles played a big role in helping others.

The team generated more that $6,000 in the fight against hunger, and on Saturday, the team combined with the Springville student senate to prepare more than 24,000 meals in four hours.

NO COVER JINX

This year's state-tournament program cover photo comes courtesy The Gazette's Stephen Mally, a shot of Western Christian's Ashtyn Veerbeek and North Linn's Ashley Tull in last year's Class 2A state semifinals.

Now a sophomore, Veerbeek registered 21 points and 11 rebounds in Western's 61-50 defeat of Central Decatur in Monday's 2A quarterfinal.

Program is here ... And there are stats in it!!! February 29, 2016

Program is here ... And there are stats in it!!! #loveQuikStats pic.twitter.com/4OQzWFBQAO

— IGHSAU (@IGHSAU)

HERE COME THE HAWKEYES

Three future Iowa Hawkeyes will be on display this week, starting Tuesday, when senior Makenzie Meyer leads Mason City into a Class 4A quarterfinal against Western Dubuque. Tipoff is 6:45 p.m.

Senior Amanda Ollinger and Linn-Mar face Indianola at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in a 5A first-rounder, then junior Jinaya Houston brings Davenport North to its first state appearance against Ankeny Centennial at 5 p.m.

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com