JEFF B | Iowa Prep Illustrated / Iowa Grandstand Sports

CHEROKEE — Nothing like being at home. Cherokee’s third-ranked (3A) girls and the fifth-ranked (2A) boys each were unbeaten and had winning streaks on the line against Spencer.

The Lakes Conference matchup between the Tigers and Cherokee was a four point Braves lead after one quarter, but thereafter the game was never in doubt. Cherokee won 59-39, winning its fifth straight against Spencer in the all-time series.

Cheroke defensively looks to create chaos — contesting, pressing, and continually switching defenses to keep Spencer confused. The Braves forced 24 Spencer turnovers. The Tigers shot just 12-of-47 (25.5%) overall. From 3-point range Spencer struggled making only 3-of-24 (12.5%). The Tigers did win the battle on foul shots converting 12-of-16 (75%). Cherokee has struggled with foul shooting all season, finishing at 42.9 percent (12-of-28).

On the season, Cherokee is shooting 49.5 percent, something future opponents might expose. Currently, Cherokee is ranked 28th in Class 3A for free throw percentage out of 64 schools.

The junior duo of Addy Wolfswinkel and Deidra Doeden continue to pace Cherokee offensively. Wolfswinkel finished with a game-high 20 points. Doeden picked up another double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Wolfswinkel added four assists, seven steals, and four rebounds. A total of 13 Braves saw action in the victory.

Spencer (3-3) was led in scoring by Sydnee Hopkins with 15 points. Caliesta Frankenstein and Kennedy Graettinger led pulled own six rebounds for Spencer who finished with 28 as a team.

Up Next

Cherokee (4-0) will travel across Hwy. 7 to Buena Vista County to Face the host Tornadoes of Storm Lake (3-3) tonight.

Teams	1	2	3	4	Final
Spencer	13	6 (19)	11 (30)	9	39
Cherokee	17	12 (29)	19 (48)	11	59

Spencer Record: 3-4 | Cherokee Record: 4-0

Spencer Leading Scorer (s): Sydnee Hopkins 15.

Spencer Leading Rebounder: Caleista Frankenstein 6, Kennedy Graettinger 6.

Largest Lead: NA
Rebound Margin: Cherokee +4 (32-28)

Cherokee Scoring:  Jillian Paulsrud 7, Macy Gravenish 3, Deidra Doeden 17, Kadyn Volkert 8, Addy Wolfswinkel 20, Nora Hare 3, Bryn Lewis 0, Ava Kremer 0, Anna Nixon 1, Mya Benson 0, Ally Timmerman 0, Kenda Smith 0, Avalyn Pruitt 0.

Cherokee Statistics
Field Goals Overall: 20-50 (40.0)
3-Pt. Field Goals: 7-22 (47.0)
Free Throws: 12-28 (42.9)
Assists (14): Wolfswinkel 4, Volkert 4, Paulsrud 2, Doeden 1, Hare 1, Gravenish 1, Nixon 1.
Steals (18): Wolfswinkel 7, Volkert 4, Leis 3, Paulsrud 1, Gravenish 1, Doeden 1, Kremer 1.
Rebounds (25): Alesch 9, Schroeder 5, Youde 3, Florine 3, Tentinger 1, Rupp 1, Draper 1, B. Lux 1.
Blocked Shots (5): Doeden 2, Gravenish 2, Hare 1.

Spencer vs. Cherokee boys basketball

After a contested first half and third quarter, Cherokee boy’s basketball outscored Spencer 15-8 in the fourth period to earn the Lakes Conference 58-48 victory. It marked the fourth-straight win against Spencer in the series. Since the beginning of the Bound ERA (2006), Spencer leads alltime 26-12.

The Braves’ lead after the first quarter was four points (18-14). At halftime, Cherokee grew the lead to eight points (31-23). Spencer outscored Cherokee 17-12 in the third quarter to cut the Braves lead to three points (43-40).

The Braves were led in scoring by Coy Lewis who finished with a near double-double. He posted a game-high 26 points and fell one rebound (9) shy of the double-double. Jaxon Paulsrud had a solid performance with 10 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and a steal. 

Cherokee was a plus +5 (34-29) in rebound margin. Spencer junior Tate Von Ehwegen picked up a double-double with 15 points, and a game-best 10 boards. Senior Drew Piercy added 11 points.

Spencer (0-5) remains in search of its first win in the 2025-2026 season

Up Next

Class 2A fifth-ranked Cherokee (4-0) has a tall order tonight to remain unbeaten as the travel to Class 3A second-ranked Storm Lake (4-0). The Tornadoes are loaded with talent that included Creighton signee Jaidyn Coon, and senior guard Cameron Boyd.

Teams	1	2	3	4	Final
Spencer	14	9 (23)	17 (40)	8	48
Cherokee	18	13 (31)	12 (43)	15	58

Spencer Record: 0-5 |Cherokee Record: 4-0

Spencer Leading Scorer (s): Tate Von Ehwegan 15, Drew Piercy 11.

Spencer Leading Rebounder: Von Ehwegan 10.

Largest Lead: NA
Rebound Margin: Cherokee +5 (34-29)

Cherokee Scoring:  Blake Lovell 2, Christian Vander Broek 8, Coy Lewis 26, Landon Stowater 2, Jaxon Paulsrud 10, Cameron Kohn 8, Brock Kannegieter 0, Lincoln Mortenson 2, Wyatt Ludvigson 0, Kyle Waldner 0, Peyton Gunn 0, Caden Frederiksen 0, Max Ruschman 0, Cooper Nixon 0, Tyson Fuller 0.

Cherokee Statistics
Field Goals Overall: 19-39 (48.7)
3-Pt. Field Goals: 3-8 (37.5)
Free Throws: 17-22 (77.3)
Assists (12): Paulsrud 8, Kohn 2, Stowater 1, Lovell 1.
Steals (6): Kohn 3, Lovell 1, Paulsrud 1, Stowater 1.
Rebounds (34): Lewis 9, Paulsrud 9, Vander Broek 5, Lovell 4, Stowater 3, Kanneigiter 3, Mortenson 1.
Blocked Shots (0):