Rivalry Saturday XXI: Maquoketa Valley 51, Gladbrook-Reinbeck 38

ANAMOSA — The nickname comes not from her long-range shooting ability, but rather from her school-girl softball slugging.

Bomber.

“That’s what they’ve called me since I was really little,” Audra Burbridge said. “(Coach) Scot Moenck knew me since I was little, so that’s what he’s always called me.”

Burbridge scored 18 points and was a pest defensively, leading Class 2A seventh-ranked Maquoketa Valley past 1A No. 4 Gladbrook-Reinbeck, 51-38, in the opening game of Rivalry Saturday at Anamosa High School.

The Wildcats (3-0) led from start to finish, building a 20-point margin on multiple occasions. They held Gladbrook-Reinbeck (2-1) to a lone first-quarter basket.

“I just think we have a really good defense,” Burbridge said. “We rotate really well.

“We like to call it chaos, and it’s what we roll with.”

Grace Richter added 16 points, most coming on a variety of swift post moves in the paint. Lanni Beaman provided 11.

Beaman’s 3-pointer capped a 15-4 run to start the second quarter, sending Maquoketa Valley to a 26-6 lead.

The Rebels got within 29-14 by intermission, then cut the deficit to 29-19 early in the third quarter. But the Wildcats scored the next nine points — including back-to-back steal-and-layups by Burbridge — to regain control.

Kennedy Brant led Gladbrook-Reinbeck with 15 points.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com