JEFF B | Iowa Prep Illustrated / Iowa Grandstand Sports

EMMETSBURG — Two teams with a strong rivalry faced off against each other in their respective season openers on Tuesday. A veteran Cherokee squad traveled to Emmetsburg to face the host E’Hawks.

Cherokee has had the upper hand in the all-time series recently winning five-of-the-last-seven meetings. Make it six-of-the-last-eight with a statement like win, 70-34. Emmetsburg had the best of Cherokee going back to the 2008 season owning a 14-11 record against the Braves in the series.

Cherokee began the game on an 8-0 run and wrapped up the first quarter leading 21-8. The opening four minutes of the second quarter Emmetsburg was unable to buy a basket against a stingy Cherokee defense.

Meanwhile, Cameron Kohn of Cherokee knocked down a 3-point basket giving the Braves their biggest lead (40-11) of 29 points at the two minute mark of the first half. Cherokee went to the locker room at halftime leading 44-19. Kohn connected on three 3-point baskets from the floor in the opening half of play.

The story of the first halkf for Cherokee was balance offensively. “Big Dog” Coy Lewis had 10 points, Kohn the aforementioned eight points, Landon Stowater nine points, and Jaxon Paulsrud led all scoers with 11 points.

The third quarter came and went with the Braves more than doubling up Emmetsburgh in scoring (18-8) to take a 62-27 lead into the fourth quarter with a continous clock “Mercy rule”.

The fourth quarter saw alot of different players see action from both teams. Cherokee played 14 players in the win, and Emmetsburg tallied 11 players.

Cherokee shot a red-hot 50.8 percent (30-of-59) from the floor overall, including 6-of-12 from beyond the 3-point arch. They also had a huge advantage in rebounding, finishing a plus +18 (38-20). The Braves had 16 rebounds come off the offensive glass.

Emmetsburgh striggled with its shooting (27.8%) overall, which included a 2-of-24 (8.3%) performance on three point attempts. The E-Hawks also committed 16 turnovers in the loss. Cooper Chizek led Emmetsburghwith 11 points, and Marc Mania chipped in seven.

Four Braves finished in double figure scoring with Lewis posting a game-best 16 points. He completed a double-double with a game-high 15 rebounds from the 6-foot-6 senior.Paulsrud added 13, Kohn 12, and Stowater 11 in supporting roles. Paulsrud also had six rebounds, seven assists and a steal to his credit.

Up Next

Cherokee hosted LeMars Gehlen in a non-conference matchup on Thursday at Washington High School before turning their focus to a talented Ridge View team in Holstein on Dec. 8.

Teams	1	2	3	4	Final
Cherokee	21	23 (44)	18 (62)	8	70
Emmetsburg	8	11 (19)	8 (27)	7	34

Cherokee Record: 1-0 | Emmetsburg Record: 0-1

Emmetsburg Leading Scorer (s): Cooper Chizek 11.

Emmetsburg Leading Rebounder (s): Krayton Rutledge 7.

Largest Lead: Cherokee +35 (62-27) end of third quarter
Rebound Margin: Cherokee +18 (38-20)

Cherokee Scoring: Blake Lovell 7, Christian Vander Broek 4, Coy Lewis 16, Landon Stowater 11, Jaxon Paulsrud 13, Cameron Kohn 12, Brock Kanneigiter 3, Lincoln Mortenson 2, Wyatt Ludvigson 0, Tyson Fuller 0, Kyle Waldner 0, Peyton Gunn 0, Cooper Nixon 2, Caden Frederiksen 0.
Cherokee Statistics
Field Goals Overall: 30-59 (50.8)
3-Pt. Field Goals: 6-12 (50.0)
Free Throws: 4-7 (57.1)
Assists (13): Paulsrud 13, Stowater 4, Lewis 1, Lovell 1.
Steals (9): Stowater 4, Lewis 1, Paulsrud 1, Kohn 1, Mortenson 1, Kannegieter 1.
Rebounds (38): Lewis 15, Paulsrud 6, Stowater 4, Vander Broek 2, Kohn 2, Fuller 2, Mortenson 2, Kannegieter 2, Lowell 1, Ludvigson 1, Frederiksen 1.
Blocked Shots (1): Lewis 1.

MMCRU vs. Harris-Lake Park

LAKE PARK — Incredible 3-point shooting by MMCRU against War Eagle COnference opponent Harris-Lake Park on Tuesday was something to witness. The Royals finished 9-of-14 (64.3%) from beyond the arch and wound up 27-of-46 (58.7%) shooting overall in a convincing road win, 69-38.

Offensively, MMCRU took advantage of every opportunity present to them by Harris-Lake Park. It was the seventh consecutive win over the Wolves dating back to Dec. 6, 2022.

MMCRU quite arguably set a school record point total in the second quarter. They expanded on a 20-11 first quarter lead, making it 61-18 at halftime. MERCY !

The 43-point halftime lead saw the second half played with the continuous clock. MMCRU scored just six points in the third quarter and only two points in the final eight mninhutes of action. Harris-Lake Park actually outscored the Royals in the second half 20-8.

Senior Kamden Bork has his visions set on a spectacular senior season, and got off on the right note. Bork posted game-highs in points (19), assists (9), steals (6), and had a team-best five rebounds for the Royals.

Wyatt Alesch added 15 points, four assists, four steals, and a rebound. MMCRU is looking to carry that momentum of a state football title run, right into the 2025-2026 basketball season. There were 11 different Royals who saw time on the floor in the win.

Administrators Note: Harris-Lake Park has failed to report or post statistics from the game with MMCRU at time of publication.

Harris-Lake Park begins its season 0-1.

Up Next

MMCRU (1-0) hosts War Eagle Conference rival Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn (1-1) tonight in Marcus.

Teams	1	2	3	4	Final
MMCRU	20	41 (61)	6 (67)	2	69
H-LP	11	7 (18)	11 (29)	9	38

MMCRU Record: 1-0 | Harris-Lake Park Record: 0-1

Harris-Lake Park Leading Scorer (s): NA

Harris-Lake Park Leading Rebounder (s): NA

Largest Lead: NA
Rebound Margin: NA

MMCRU Scoring: Wyatt Alesch 15, Kamden Bork 19, Max Schnepf 6, Josh Peterson 2, Michael Schmillen 9, Eli Harpenau 2, Brandon Dreckman 13, Eli Schlenger 0, John Schmillen 3, Gavin Poeckes 0, Mason Hill 0.
MMCRU Statistics:
Field Goals Overall: 27-46 (58.7)
3-Pt. Field Goals: 9-14 (64.3)
Free Throws: 6-14 (42.9)
Assists (22): Bork 9, M. Schmillen 4, Alesch 4, J. Schmillen 3, Peterson 1, Harpenau 1.
Steals (19): Bork 6, Alesch 4, M. Schmillen 2, J. Schmillen 2, Schnepf 2, Peterson 2, Harpenau 1.
Rebounds (20): Bork 5, M. Schmillen 3, J. Schmillen 3, Schnepf 3, Peterson 2, Alesch 1, Harpenau 1, Dreckman 1, Hill 1.
Blocked Shots (2): Peterson 1, Schlenger 1.

Ridge View vs. Pocahontas Area

POCAHONTAS — The Ridge View boys basketball team got its season off on the right foot Tuesday defeating non-conference opponent Pocahontas Area 81-50.

This was only the third meeting between the two school in their brief three games head-to-head matchups since 2023.

The Raptors took a 13-9 lead following one quarter, capitalizing on big offensive production in the second and third quarters to seal the fate of the host Indians. Ridge View added 25 points in the second quarter for a 38-18 lead at halftime. The Raptors offense caught fire in the third quarter scoring 31 points and ballooning the lead to 32 points (69-37).

The game became a battle of senior Carter Todd of Ridge View and sophomore Karson Weilander of Pocahontas Area to see who would wind up with game-high scoring honors. Weilander won that battle scoring 24 points to Todd’s 21 total points.

Weilander had quite a performance against Ridge View finishing with a game-best nine rebounds, and adding four assists, two steals and a blocked shot.

As a team Pocahontas Area made 20-of-52 (38.5%) of their shots on the night. The Indians total included 3-of-12 25%) 3-point shooting. Pocahontas Area shot well from the foul line finishing 7-of-9 (77.8%).

Weilander may have left his mark on Ridge View, but so Ridge View View in rebound margin. The Raptors finished a plus +16 (41-25), and were led by Todd’s eight rebounds and

Drew Burk’s seven boards. Ten different Raptors had at least one rebound in the win.

Ridge View had 16 additional shots from the floor (68-52) than Pocahontas. Ridge View’s blemish in the game was only 57.1 percent (12-of-21) free throw shooting.

Up Next

Ridge View (1-0) renewed its rivalry with Alta-Aurelia on Thursday in Alta. Tonight, Ridge View travels to Lawton-Bronson (0-2) in Western Valley Conference basketball action.

Teams	1	2	3	4	Final
Ridge View	13	25 (38)	31 (69)	12	81
Pocahontas	9	9 (18)	19 (37)	13	50

Ridge View Record: 1-0 | Pocahontas Area Record: 0-1

Pocahontas Area Leading Scorer (s): Karson Weilander 24, Jack Gerdes 10.

Pocahontas Area Leading Rebounder (s): Wielander 9.

Largest Lead: NA
Rebound Margin: Ridge View +16 (41-25)

Ridge View Scoring: Carter Todd 21, Adam Stephan 3, Kinnick Jensen 14, Zach Kolpin 9, Drew Burk 6, Brayden Blum 10, Cole Jochims 11, Aiden Myrtie 2, Karsen Jensen 2, Luke Whitmer 3, Evan Kolpin 0, Robert Forristal 0, Jacob Friedmann 0.
Ridge View Statistics:
Field Goals Overall: 31-68 (45.6)
3-Pt. Field Goals: 7-24 (29.2)
Free Throws: 12-21 (57.1)
Assists (18): Kinnick Jensen 6, Z. Kolpin 3, Blum 3, Burk 2, Whitmer 2, Jochims 1, E. Kolpin 1.
Steals (13): Z. Kolpin 3, Stephan 3, Kin. Jensen 1, Todd 1, Kar. Jensen 1, Whitmer 1.
Rebounds (41): Todd 8, Burk 7, Kin. Jensen 6, Stephan 5, Kar. Jensen 4, Blum 3, Z. Kolpin 2, Jochims 2, Whitmer 1, Myrtue 1.
Blocked Shots (5): Stephan 3, Burk 1, Blum 1.