Keota Girls Fall at No. 14 NM

NEW SHARON – Keota girls’ basketball coach Jeff Sprouse knew his team was facing a tall task when they went to New Sharon Friday to face the 14th ranked in Class 1A North Mahaska Warhawks. They had size and physicalness he knew would be a challenge. 

North Mahaska forced 18 first half turnovers on its way to a 77-23 victory in South Iowa Cedar League play.

“The pace of the game was more than we wanted,” said Sprouse. “We are not physical and they were much more physical. You find that on this side of the conference. We have got to get better and find a way past it.”

Senior Bailey Sieren, who finished with a team-high six points, earned half of those on the only score in the first quarter. Junior Taylor Kindred scored five points.

Kindred and senior Sky Weber had their hands full battling North Mahaska’s three six-footers and two others at 5-10. The Warhawks also rang in a season-high 13 3-pointers as they ran their season mark to 7-1. Keota fell to 2-6.

Junior Addie Schilling led Nm in scoring with 25 points including six treys. She grabbed six rebounds and doled out five assists. Junior Kaitlyn VanDonselaar also hit six 3-pointers and finished with 18 points, five steals and three assists. Another junior Layla Hargis finished with 12 points, 15 rebounds, three steals, three assists and a blocked shot.

The Eagles host HLV Tuesday then go to ninth-ranked Montezuma on Friday.