(Des Moines) Nodaway Valley opposes Maquoketa Valley in a Class 2A Girls State Basketball semifinal on Friday morning. The 4th rated Wolverines and the top rated Wildcats square off at 10:00 a.m. on KSOM.
Coach Brian Eisbach and his team are not intimidated in the slightest by matching up with the #1 team in Class 2A. “Our kids feel like they can play with anybody. Amy and I feel like they can play with anybody so long as we do us and do it to the best of our abilities. Now we get an opportunity. As they say if you want to be the best you have to beat the best and we feel like we are up for the challenge.”
Coach Eisbach identifies two huge keys to this one, beginning with rebounding. “We have to box out and rebound. We got outrebounded the other night and that was only the 2nd time all season.”
Another important factor will be limiting turnovers. “We have to take care of the ball. We feel like we can run on Maquoketa Valley and get out wide and go, but that doesn’t happen if we can’t take care of the ball.”
Nodaway Valley downed defending champ North Linn 53-47 on Tuesday night while Maquoketa Valley moved on with a 51-35 decision over Rock Valley. “They have some pretty good three-point shooters. Ella Imler hit four in the first round so she is obviously someone we are watching and will have to guard. Then they have two forwards Taya Tucker and Emerson Whittenbaugh that are very active, very athletic, and can shoot from the outside or drive.”
The winner of Friday’s game moves into the 2A State Championship game at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday against either #2 Dike-New Hartford or #3 West Branch.
