Waverly-Shell Rock looked nothing like a state
tournament rookie in beating Winterset.
The
second-ranked Go-Hawks, in the five-player tourney for the first time, shot
their way into an early 24-5 lead and rolled past the 12th-ranked Huskies 67-45
to reach the Class 4A semifinals.
Waverly-Shell
Rock showed excellent inside-outside balance in its fast start, knocking down
four 3-pointers and getting baskets inside from 6-foot-2 Aftin
Phyfe and 6-foot Elena Gray.
Phyfe,
the daughter of former Nashua and Northern Iowa player Steve Phyfe, led the
Go-Hawks with 19 points and 10 rebounds. When Phyfe wasn't scoring in the lane,
she was drawing fouls and finished 9-for-12 on free throws.
Naomi
Phillips when 3-for-5 from 3-point range and finished
with 17 points. Morgan Neuendorf added 10 points and
five assists, Mattie Gray had seven points and seven assists and Elena Gray
finished with six points.
Taylor
Benshoof's 17 points led Winterset, which earned its
first trip to state since 1951. Mariah Criswell, a skilled 5-foot-9 sophomore,
added 12 points for the Huskies.
Waverly-Shell
Rock was never seriously threatened after building its big early lead.
Winterset did draw to 50-35 on Benshoof's driving
shot at the start of the fourth quarter, capping a run of 12 straight points.
But that was as close as it would get the rest of the way.
Waverly-Shell
Rock will take 22-2 record into a semifinal game against No. 8 Harlan at 6:45 p.m.
Thursday. Winterset closed with an 18-6 record.