JEFF B | Iowa Prep Illustrated / Iowa Grandstand Sports

SPIRIT LAKE — The Cherokee Braves girls basketball team has been one that has marched to the beat of a different drummer to earn high praise for its talents on the basketball court. But one team, Spirit Lake has had no part of that. They’ve become a nuisance to Cherokee, finding out ways to kill the Braves momentum during the season.

It happened in December of 2024 in Cherokee, and it happened again Friday. The marquee read Iowa Prep Illustrated / Iowa Grandstand Sports Class 2A second-ranked and unbeaten Cherokee, versus a one-loss, and Class 3A ninth-ranked Spirit Lake squad.

It was the productive eight minute stretch of the third quarter that was the difference for Spirit Lake. The Indians outscored Cherokee 22-12, and dealt Cherokee its lone loss this season 63-55 in the Lakes Conference matchup.

It was an extremely competitive first half of basketball. Cherokee led 19-14 after one quarter and 30-29 at halftime. Cherokee came out the second half and found it tough sledding as they were outscored 34-25.

It was a heartpounding game that had Cherokee at times rely too much on its 3-point shooting and it failed them in this one. The Braves finished 3-of-24 (12.5%) behind the 3-point arch, while converting 56 percent (19-of-34) two-point attempts. Cherokee has arguably the best post player in the conference in 6-foot-3 junior Deidra Doeden, but quite a few times they don’t go to her enough.

Doeden picked up 26th career double-double, and has had a double-double in each of the Braves six games this season. She finished with 15 points and 15 rebounds against Spirit Lake.

Double-Double Doeden Machine

• Nov. 24 | at Sioux City West | 20 pts., 11 RBs
• Dec 2 | at Emmetsburg | 20 pts., 16 RBs
• Dec. 8 | at Ridge View | 18 pts., 15 RBs
• Dec. 12 | Spencer | 17 pts., 11 RBs
• Dec. 16 | at Storm Lake | 20 pts., 13 RBs

Along with Doeden’s ever-steady performances this season, there is fellow junior Addy Wolfswinkel. The 5-foot-8 guard has averaged 19 points per game this season. Against Spirit Lake she finished with 18 points to poace Cherokee. Wolfswinkel added six rebounds, four steals, and pair of assists in the loss.

Cherokee got its first look at a pair of talented Spirit Lake freshmen. Albany Reinke is a 6-foot forward, and 5-foot-7 guard McKinley Lalumendre. The Indians played without senior Claire Turner, an all-state performer as a junior, who averaged 20.4 points and 6.6 rebounds. Turner is a North Dakota State signee for women’s soccer.

It was Reinke, who along with junior Hayden Kuhlmann and Lalumendre, that led the Indians to victory. Reinke had her own double-double with game-high’s in points (23) and rebounds (18). Kuhlman tallied 12 points, eight assists, and four steals. Lalumendre finished with 10 points.

Senior Lauren Travis posted 10 rebounds and two blocked shots for the Indians. Cherokee and Spirit Lake each finished with 37 rebounds as a team.

Up Next

Cherokee (5-1) enters the holiday break to make any necessary adjustments prior to its next game. The Braves return to action on Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at MVAOCOU in a non-conference tilt. Cherokee will host Central Lyon on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2025.

Cherokee Record: 5-1 | Spirit Lake Record: 5-1

Spirit Lake Leading Scorer (s): Albany Reinke 23, Hayden Kuhlmann 12, McKinley Lalumendre 11.

Spirit Lake Leading Rebounder: Reinke 18, Lauren Travis 10.

Largest Lead: NA
Rebound Margin: EVEN (37-37)

Cherokee Scoring:  Jillian Paulsrud 4, Macy Gravenish 4, Deidra Doeden 15, Kadyn Volkert 6, Addy Wolfswinkel 18, Nora Hare 2, Anna Nixon 6.

Cherokee Statistics
Field Goals Overall: 22-58 (37.9)
3-Pt. Field Goals: 3-24 (12.5)
Free Throws: 8-12 (66.7)
Assists (6): Volkert 3, Wolfswinkel 2, Nixon 1.
Steals (7): Wolfswinkel 4, Doeden 3.
Rebounds (37): Doeden 15, Wolfswinkel 6, Gravenish 5, Volkert 4, Paulsrud 4, Nixon 3.
Blocked Shots (0):