Springville advances to 1A final

DES MOINES — This stage isn't too big. This team isn't too young.

No. 11 Springville scored the first 16 points and snuffed out a comeback bid by No. 2 Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton to capture Thursday's Class 1A semifinal, 68-57, at the girls' state basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena.

'I keep saying, 'Do what we do,'' said Orioles Coach Nate Sanderson. 'The kids are confident in the shots that they want and the shots that they get.

'The stakes keep getting higher and the crowd keeps getting bigger, but that doesn't change anything.'

Springville (23-3) plays for the 1A championship at 6 p.m. Friday against No. 7 Newell-Fonda (22-4). The Mustangs were runners-up last year and shocked No. 1 Burlington Notre Dame, 63-56, Wednesday night.

Don't expect the Orioles to shrink from the moment. They've already taken out the fourth- and second-rated teams this week.

Springville's freshmen — Rylee Menster, Mikayla Nachazel and Alyssa Jaeger — combined for 39 points. Senior Sarah Matus hit six 3-pointers, and rescued the Orioles when Exira-EHK (25-1) was making a push.

The Spartans sprinted out of halftime on a 12-4 run to climb within 35-31, then a technical foul was called on the Spartans for having six players on the floor.

Matus hit 1 of 2 free throws, then followed with a 3-pointer on the following possession, and another shortly thereafter to make it 42-31.

'I kind of feel it off and on,' said Matus, who hit six treys in 14 attempts Thursday. 'I hit a couple, then got some more open looks, and these guys do a great job finding me.'

Exira-EHK got right back within four, but Menster closed out the third period with a layup, and Springville scored the first seven points of the fourth quarter to take a 52-39 lead.

The margin didn't drop below 10 points again.

It was all Springville early. The Orioles scored the first 16, led 19-2 after a quarter and 25-6 before the Spartans got anything going.

'We were able to find Mik (Nachazel) in the post,' said junior Megan Wagaman. 'We did a good job executing and found gaps in their defense.'

Meanwhile, Exira-EHK missed its first 11 shots.

'Today just wan't our day,' said Exira-EHK's Maggie Rasmussen. 'And (Springville) has really quick ball movement, and we had problems finding their shooters.'

Matus led the Orioles with 23 points, pushing her career total to 1,003. Menster contributed 19 points and seven steals. Nachazel scored 14 points, and Wagaman assembled an impressive stat line — six points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.

Exira-EHK has comparable youth to that which Springville possesses. Freshman Sophia Peppers finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomores Mara Burmeister and Rasmussen added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Springville had not enjoyed a winning season since the last time it got here (the Orioles were 1A champions in 2008, runners-up in 2009). But this tightly-knit blend of veterans and youngsters are a game from completing an improbable journey.

'It's like a team full of sisters,' Wagaman said.

Matus said, 'I'm not into how many points I score, and neither is anybody else. I'd give anything to win one more tomorrow night.'

SPRINGVILLE 68, EXIRA/ELK HORN-KIMBALLTON 57 (Class 1A State Semifinal)

At Des Moines

SPRINGVILLE (68): Megan Wagaman 2-3 2-2 6, Rylee Menster 7-9 5-7 19, Sarah Matus 8-17 1-3 23, Rachel Gloeckner 0-0 0-0 0, Mikayla Nachazel 7-11 0-2 14, Katelyn Gloeckner 0-1 0-0 0, Sydney Williams 0-0 0-0 0, Ashley Brady 0-0 0-0 0, Emily Horak 0-0 0-0 0, Alyssa Jaeger 1-2 4-7 6, Chrissy Hoogland 0-0 0-0 0, Madi Wagaman 0-0 0-0 0, Melissa Deeney 0-0 0-0 0, Sami Johnson 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 25-43 12-21 68.

EXIRA-EHK (57): Rachel Smith 4-13 0-0 10, Maggie Rasmussen 3-11 2-2 11, Mara Burmeister 5-12 0-0 14, Kealey Nelson 0-0 0-0 0, Sophia Peppers 7-12 4-4 18, Sadie Schultes 0-0 0-0 0, Malaina Leader 0-0 0-0 0, Alex Petersen 0-0 0-0 0, Rose Anderson 1-5 0-0 2, Kennedy Madsen 0-1 0-0 0, Sydnee Young 0-1 0-0 0, Grace Greving 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 21-56 6-6 57.

Halftime: Springville 31, Exira-EHK 19. 3-point goals: Springville 6-15 (Menster 0-1, Matus 6-14), Exira-EHK 9-25 (Smith 2-6, Rasmussen 3-9, Burmeister 4-9, Anderson 0-1). Team fouls: Springville 9, Exira-EHK 14. Fouled out: none. Technical fouls: Exira-EHK (team, 6 on the floor). Rebounds: Springville 27 (Meg.Wagaman 11), Exira-EHK 30 (Rasmussen, Peppers 10). Assists: Springville 19 (Meg.Wagaman 11), Exira-EHK 12 (Anderson 4). Steals: Springville 16 (Menster 7), Exira-EHK 12 (Burmeister 5). Turnovers: Springville 16, Exira-EHK 17.

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