NM Girls Could Surprise

NEW SHARON – In many ways this season will be a rebuilding year for the North Mahaska Warhawks. Girl’s coach L.E. Moore has to replace five starters and a sixth man from a team that finished 20-3 last season. However, Moore and his team view it as a chance to continue a tradition of strong play.

Moore returns five letterwinners including junior post players Layla Hargis and Breanna Fogle, senior forward Mackenzie Hicklin and junior guards Kaitlyn VanDonselaar and Addie Schilling. Moore is counting on them to be the nucleus of the squad with sophomores Jess Castaneda, Essica Whitehead, Kaia Munger and Amelia Dahm along with senior Emily Sampson to fill out starting and supporting roles.

“Nice team, with a great work ethic athletic,” said an excited Moore. “We are very long with our size. We will be a better team as the season grows. Just playing and growing with every game. This group of girls are the hardest working group I have had in several years. Low numbers but high in heart and effort.”

Hargis is the leading stat holder returning. She was the fifth highest scorer from a year ago with 138 points on 66 percent field goal shooting. She was 50 percent from the free throw line. She was third in rebounding with 97.

Fogle was fifth in rebounding with 60. Schilling was sixth on the team in assists with 22. She and Hargis were also credited with 17 steals apiece.

South Iowa Cedar League powers Montezuma and Lynnville-Sully look to be the teams to beat said Moore.

“Montezuma has four starters back and Sully has (Krystal) Van Dyke and a nice group of starters back,” said Moore. “We have a whole new group but a very athletic, tall group of young ladies that have will surprise several teams. We were conference champs last year and I really believe we can do it again.”

North Mahaska looked strong in its final tune-up scrimmage at Carlisle defeating the Class 3A power 46-36. They will open the 2020-21 campaign Tuesday, Dec. 1 when they host Montezuma.