Secret’s out: North Linn has top-shelf youth

There aren't many secrets in a small town, or a small school.

So Brian Wheatley has known for quite some time that there was young talent brewing in his program.

'I have a pretty good pulse as to what's going on with our youth teams,' said Wheatley, the girls' basketball coach at North Linn. 'I've been familiar with this class, and these girls, probably since second or third grade.'

The ringleaders of North Linn's talented freshman crew, twins Grace and Abby Flanagan have made an immediate impact as the Lynx have shot to a 10-0 start.

Grace is averaging 14.3 points (second to junior post Ashley Tull's 14.9), along with 4.8 assists and 3.8 steals per game. Abby is scoring at a 13.1-point clip, with 2.6 assists and 3.9 steals per contest.

'They're so much fun,' Tull said. 'At first, I couldn't tell them apart. Every time you kind of hang your head, they're there to bring you up.'

The mission of the graduating class of 2020 isn't to rescue or rebuild the program. North Linn is the only team in the state with six consecutive 20-win campaigns and is only two years removed from a state runner-up finish.

Instead, the goal is to reach new heights.

'The twins bring a lot to the table,' Wheatley said. 'They are really skilled on the offensive end, and they're long on defense. They add a new dimension, but they're still freshmen, and they're getting acclimated to the higher level of competition.

'We're lucky to have them, for sure.'

Seven freshmen are on the North Linn varsity. Sydney Burke and Hannah Bridgewater are key reserves.

AREA'S PERFECT 10

North Linn is one of 10 area teams to take an undefeated record into the holiday break.

Marion carries a 9-0 record. Iowa City High, Iowa City Regina, Springville, Sigourney, Turkey Valley and Highland are 8-0, and Western Dubuque and Union are 7-0.

The defending Class 1A state champion, Springville carries a 24-game winning streak. The Orioles face North Linn (at Troy Mills) and Turkey Valley (at the U.S. Cellular Center) on back-to-back days, Jan. 6-7.

Western Dubuque owns a 50-game regular-season win string, dating back to the beginning of the 2014-15 season, and has a Jan. 3 challenge at Center Point-Urbana (7-1). Regina has won 32 consecutive regular-season games.

Sigourney is the biggest surprise of the bunch. The Savages were 14-10 last season.

According to Quik Stats, there are 35 remaining unbeatens statewide.

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