Ankeny drops Bulldogs in season opener

By KELLY TERPSTRA, Courier sports writer

OTTUMWA — Poetry in motion it was not.

When the opponent is Ankeny, that usually has a lot to do with it.

The 11th-ranked Ankeny Hawks and head coach Scott DeJong aren’t exactly a run-of-the-mill squad. The team from Polk County showed why on Tuesday night versus Stan Rupe and his Ottumwa Bulldog girls basketball squad.

Ankeny — who sports nine state titles — dominated a youthful Ottumwa team 58-20 at Evans Middle School in each team’s season opener.

The start to the season was a loss for Bulldog head coach Stan Rupe, but fans got a firsthand glimpse of several Ottumwa players that will certainly become future stars for the red and white.

Rupe played three freshmen and three sophomores and has just one returning player on its roster from last season — junior Missy Staloch. The Bulldogs entered the game missing almost 90 percent of their scoring from a year ago. Ankeny also played three freshmen a returned just one starter in Rheanna Egli.

Rupe would be the last coach to fault his team’s youth for the non-conference CIML setback.

“I’m not going to make excuses. Those are just facts that we’re young,” said Rupe.

Ankeny bolted out to a 23-4 lead after one quarter of play, ignited by a 12-0 run.

“We were aggressive. We had a lot of energy to start out with,” said DeJong, in his 17th season.

The Bulldogs netted two buckets in the opening frame — one by Staloch and a deuce by freshman Rachel Hinebaugh.

The second quarter provided Rupe with some encouragement as Ottumwa was only outscored 12-10 and trailed 35-14 at the break.

“I saw our kids grow in the second quarter. I really did. We scored 10 points and played good defense. We did some things right,” said Rupe, who began his 31st season of coaching.

Ottumwa freshman Kelsey Nickerson drained a deep 2-point bucket early on in the second quarter and led Ottumwa in scoring with seven points on the night. Nickerson got the fans on their feet with Ottumwa’s lone 3-pointer of the night with three minutes left before half.

Ottumwa’s only bucket in the third quarter was Paige Wetrich’s baseline floater.

The contest seemed like a game of hot potato with the basketball at times, as it was evident it was the first contest of the season for each squad. Ankeny forced 29 Ottumwa turnovers.

Egli netted 11 points, as did Kiara Bomben for Ankeny. Shayla Starkenburg netted 10 points for the Hawks.

“They’re physical, they’re big, they’re strong, they’re quick,” said Rupe.

Ankeny went 19-4 last season while Ottumwa played to 9-13 mark.

Ottumwa (0-1) plays at Washington this Friday.

Ankeny 58, Ottumwa 20

ANK 23 12 13 10 — 58

OTT 4 10 2 4 — 20

ANKENY (58) — Rheanna Egli 5-9 0-0 11, Kiara Bomben 2-6 7-10 11, Shayla Starkenburg 5-8 0-1 10, Krista Pettepier 2-4 3-4 7, Sydney Andrew 3-8 0-0 7, Maddie Muhlenbruck 2-4 1-1 5, Mackenzie Misel 1-2 0-0 2, Maddie Manning 1-1 1-2 3, Megan Fisher 0-0 1-1-2 1, Jesseka Kaldenburg 0-1 1-3 1. Totals 21-43 14-23 58.

3-point goals — 2-12 (Egli, Andrew). Fouled out — None. Rebounds — 25 (Starkenburg 6). Steals — 13. Total fouls — 15. Turnovers — 14.

OTTUMWA (20) — Kelsey Nickerson 3-5 0-0 7, Missy Staloch 1-3 2-2 4, Courtney Klyn 0-0 2-2 2, Amy Albertson 1-4 0-0 2, Paige Wetrich 1-3 0-0 2, Rachel Hinebaugh 1-2 0-1 2, Jessi Black 0-2 1-2 1, Liz Cason 0-1 0-0 0, Hailey Sheldahl 0-5 0-0 0, Ashley Salgado 0-2 0-1 0, Kaitlin McElroy 0-1 0-0 0, Katie Martin 0-1 0-0 0, C.J. Toomire 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 7-28 5-8 20.

3-point goals — 1-4 (Nickerson). Fouled out — Sheldahl. Rebounds — 18 (Salgado 4). Steals — 7 (Nickerson 2, Klyn 2). Total fouls — 20. Turnovers — 29.