Ascendant Independence appears ready to compete in the Wamac East

Like all schools, Independence has always had girls that played basketball.

Now, it’s got something different:

Basketball players.

“They’re not kids that are just out for basketball,” Coach Rod Conrad said. “A couple of the younger kids, they’ve played a lot of ball already.”

That would be sophomore Libby Preuss and freshman Kiersten TeBockhorst, who are combining to alter the program’s trajectory.

Independence is 3-0 and has climbed into the Class 4A rankings, at No. 13.

Keep in mind, this is a program that hasn’t enjoyed a winning season since 2012-13. The Mustangs made a regional final in 2012.

This crew appears to have the goods to compete with pretty much anybody and everybody in the Wamac Conference East Division.

As a freshman last season, Preuss led the Mustangs in scoring at 10.5 points per game. That rate is up to 16.0 ppg this winter.

TeBockhorst, Conrad said, “brings a lot of energy and is super quick on her feet.” The rookie is coming off the bench for the time being, and is averaging 13.0 points per game.

Junior Devin Ludwig and senior Jaeda Rupprecht both are scoring at a 9.3-point clip, with the latter snagging 8.7 rebounds per contest.

The Mustangs have prevailed in a pair of close games, against Dubuque Hempstead and Edgewood-Colesburg, which “we would have lost last year,” Conrad said.

The Ed-Co game was Dec. 4, and the Mustangs haven’t played since. Their game Tuesday at home against Vinton-Shellsburg was postponed.

They’ll get a close look at excellence Friday, when they travel to Clear Creek Amana, then open Wamac East action at home next Tuesday against Center Point-Urbana.

“We’ve just got to keep believing in ourselves, believing we can win,” Conrad said.

Nine unbeatens remain

The list of area unbeatens has dwindled into single digits, and that includes a pair of teams scheduled to play in a Tri-Rivers Conference West Division showdown tonight.

Maquoketa Valley (3-0 overall, 1-0 division) visits Springville (4-0, 1-0), if weather allows.

Both teams were triumphant at Rivalry Saturday: Maquoketa Valley topped Gladbrook-Reinbeck, 51-38; Springville rallied past Turkey Valley, 39-28.

Elsewhere across the area: Iowa City High, Iowa City Regina and Keota are 5-0, Williamsburg is 4-0, Clear Creek Amana and aforementioned Independence are 3-0 and English Valleys is 2-0.

Early-season scoring leaders

Three area players are in the top 20 statewide in scoring.

Clear Creek Amana senior Averie Lower, an Arizona State University signee, is fifth at 29.7 points per game. Ed-Co senior Lilee Boriskey is sixth (26.4 ppg), Sigourney sophomore Brynn Clarahan (25.0) is 11th.

Clarahan leads the state in steals, at 9.7 per contest.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com