Record for wins; now, Huskies want more

Cedar Valley Christian has a new coach, its largest roster and a school record for wins in a girls' basketball season.

'We've had a successful year,' said Coach Ron Slagle. 'We've come together well. In the past, we've lost a lot of girls between fifth and eighth grade that didn't see a future here and went on to play elsewhere. Now, some of those kids are staying.'

The Huskies (9-11) open Class 1A regional action Thursday with a first-round contest with South Iowa Cedar League East Division champion Iowa Valley (17-4).

Tipoff is 7 p.m. at Marengo.

'I love the postseason,' Slagle said. 'You throw out the records and play the game.'

Now in its fifth season as an IGHSAU-sanctioned school, Cedar Valley eclipsed last year's school record of victories (eight). High-scoring Shelby Hembera, who suffered a season-ending knee injury midway through last season, graduated.

'We pondered how we were going to replace 32 points per game, but we let God handle the future,' said Slagle, who was elevated to head-coach role after Craig Foote took over the Huskies' boys program.

Along came Candace Wilson, a senior who joined the program and helped pick up the slack. Wilson is averaging 19.2 points per game, and the Huskies have displayed more depth and balance. Sophomore Molly Hembera adds 12.1 points per contest.

'All 11 of our girls have contributed in different ways,' Slagle said.

Still, the Iowa Valley matchup will be a challenge. The Tigers have won six straight games, including a 37-30 triumph over Lynnville-Sully in a showdown of SICL division leaders.

Iowa Valley is the best area 1A team not to earn a first-round bye. Powerhouses like top-ranked Turkey Valley (21-0), No. 3 Springville (20-1), No. 6 Lansing Kee (19-2) and No. 9 Montezuma (20-1) get started with quarterfinal games Tuesday.

Springville was the 1A state-runner-up last year.

THURSDAY'S CLASS 1A REGIONAL FIRST ROUND

(All games, 7 p.m.)

Region 2

Valley Lutheran (2-19) at Ackley AGWSR (12-8)

Riceville (11-10) at Janesville (13-8)

Latimer CAL (0-21) at Clarksville (10-11)

North Iowa (3-17) at Rockford (11-10)

West Bend-Mallard (0-20) at Algona Garrigan (15-6)

Region 3

West Central (1-20) at Elkader Central (12-8)

Waterloo Christian (3-18) at Dunkerton (17-4)

Central City (7-15) at Don Bosco (14-7)

Meskwaki Settlement (3-17) at Garwin GMG (11-10)

Gladbrook-Reinbeck (3-17) at Belle Plaine (14-7)

Colfax-Mingo (6-14) at North Tama (13-8)

Region 4

Keota (1-20) at WACO (7-15)

Winfield-Mount Union (4-18) at Fort Madison Holy Trinity (10-11)

English Valleys (4-16) at New London (13-8)

Clinton Prince of Peace (1-19) at Calamus-Wheatland (8-14)

Iowa Mennonite (1-18) at Lone Tree (14-7)

Midland (7-14) at Easton Valley (13-8)

Region 5

Tri-County (6-13) at HLV (7-12)

Cedar Valley Christian (9-11) at Iowa Valley (17-4)

Twin Cedars (1-18) at Sigourney (12-9)

Melcher-Dallas (1-18) at Southeast Warren (7-14)

Moulton-Udell (7-13) at Moravia (20-2)

Seymour (12-8) at Wayne (7-13)

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