Nachazel and Menster are best buddies, big scorers

Reaching the 1,000-point milestone is an accomplishment.

Two players from the same school, in the same class, even more so.

Those two players from the same school, in the same class, as juniors ... now, that's rare.

'Definitely something special,' Springville girls' basketball coach Nate Sanderson said of Oriole co-stars Mikayla Nachazel and Rylee Menster. 'I've been coaching 15 years and I'd never had a 1,000-point scorer. Now we have two within the same week.'

A 5-foot-10 post, Nachazel reached the quadruple-figure mark on Jan. 24 against Central City.

The Orioles' quick-handed guard, Menster joined her four days later in a win at Starmont.

Nachazel ranks third in Springville history with 1,057 points. Menster is No. 4 at 1,037.

'They still have a year ahead of them, so both have a chance (at Katie Eiben's school record of 1,598 points),' Sanderson said.

'The unique thing about those two is that they're best friends and have been playing basketball together since fourth grade. They have a little bit of a connection, knowing where each other are on the court.'

Menster already is Springville's career leader in steals; Nachazel tops the chart in blocks.

Since their arrival in high school, Springville has posted a 66-7 record. The Orioles were Class 1A state runners-up in 2015, then won the championship last season.

This year's team is ranked No. 1 in 1A. The Orioles take a 17-2 record into Friday's game at home against 2A No. 4 North Linn (21-0).

Mount Vernon's Kaitlyn Volesky also reached the 1,000-point mark, Friday against West Delaware.

MAKING STRIDES

In sheer terms of victories, Meskwaki Settlement School is the most improved team in the area.

After a 3-18 season in 2015-16, the Warriors have advanced to 10-9 this year.

Senior Grace Tahahwah has her fingerprints all over the Warriors' turnaround. She averages 19.5 points, 4.3 assists, 6.6 steals and 2.2 blocks per game.

Jesup (14-5) and Dyersville Beckman (7-11) both have increased their win total by five over last season.

RUFFRIDGE CLOSING IN

Pocahontas Area dynamo Elle Ruffridge is likely to close with 100 points of the state scoring record tonight, when the Indians host Fort Dodge St. Edmond.

Generously listed at 5-foot-4, Ruffridge has 2,648 points with four regular-season games to play.

She scored 68 points last Thursday, a night in which the Indians played two games (beating Storm Lake and Southeast Valley by a combined 173-43).

Deb Remmerde of Rock Valley (1999-2003) holds the record with 2,756 points. Jennifer Jorgensen of Southeast Webster (2004-08) is second on the list at 2,708.