Fourth-ranked Waukee Hands No. 1 City High First Loss in Regular Season Finale
John Naughton
Your Prep Sports
WAUKEE – Top-ranked Iowa City High’s hopes of an unbeaten season ended Saturday with a 55-39 loss at No. 4 Waukee.
The Little Hawks, who fell to 20-1, were topped in most statistical areas. But they gained a lot in an unmeasurable category – lessons learned in defeat.
Waukee (19-2) outscored City High 17-2 to end the second quarter and dominated the game.
For senior Aubrey Joens, it reinforced the importance of her team playing its best as City High moves toward the postseason.
“You only get one chance,” Joens said. “If you don’t play well in one game, it can all be over.”
City will play host to Liberty High at 7 p.m. Feb. 22 in a Class 5A regional semifinal.
Joens scored a game-high 23 points and Kelsey Joens added 10 Saturday. The only other Little Hawk to score was Rose Nkumu, who had six.
Katie Dinnebier led Waukee with 18 points, Taryn Reitsma had 17. The Warriors held City High to a season-low 39 points.
Coach Bill McTaggart looked at the value of a loss against one of the state’s top teams.
“They looked more determined,” McTaggart said. “They did a better job of rebounding than we did. We took some poor shots, too, to Waukee’s credit.
“They really frustrated us,” McTaggart said.
Several coaches from other programs had suggested to McTaggart that a loss before tournament play might not be entirely bad, he said.
In the past, entering the state tournament with an undefeated record didn’t guarantee a championship, he added.
City High’s three seniors have all committed to Division I programs – Joens to Iowa State, Nkumu to Marquette and Paige Rocca to Missouri State.
“We want to get a state championship for each other,” Nkumu said.
City led 14-10 at the end of the first quarter. Joens scored 10.
Waukee went on a 17-2 run to end the second quarter and led 27-21 at halftime.
The Warriors outscored City 28-18 in the second half.
“They’re a tough team,” Joens said. “They brought a lot of energy to their defense.”
City’s previous low score was 57 vs. West High in a Jan. 31 victory.
“A lot of things didn’t go right for us,” Nkumu said.
Waukee is one of the state’s top teams despite lacking a senior.
Dinnebier, a junior guard, is a Drake recruit. Reitsma, a junior, plans to play soccer at Minnesota.
Joens said the loss hurt, but the players will focus on what’s ahead.
“We can’t hang our heads about it or place blame on anyone,” Joens said.
Nkumu and her two fellow seniors have been teammates for four seasons. She knows that their shared careers will come to an end soon.
“Those are some of my very best friends,” Nkumu said. “This is our last run together.”
City High 14 7 8 10 – 39
Waukee 10 17 14 14 – 55
City High (39) – Aubrey Joens 23, Nkumu 6, K.Joens 10. Also played: Cook, Rocca, Richardson, Westlake, Kimm, House, Kelly-Harvey, Koenig. Totals 14 6-6.
Waukee (55) – Dinnebier 18, Reitsma 17, L.Kelderman 6, P.Kelderman 6, Jones 4, Earney 2, Bartholomew 2. Also played:Weers, Lanz, Steffy, Lampe, Barnes. Totals 15 20-24.
3-point goals – City High 5 (A.Joens 3, K.Joens 2), Waukee 5 (L.Kelderman 2, Dinnebier 2, Jones). Fouls – City High 22, Waukee 14. Fouled out—Dinnebier.
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