Family, fans and friendly feuds

Melissa Wellhausen and Nikki Adamson were as close as sisters could be growing up in the Creston home of John and the late Sherrill Giza.

When Melissa’s and Nikki’s daughters reached high school, the two were then separated only by the basketball court their daughters were playing on.

Nikki’s daughter Ava is a senior at Creston High. Melissa’s daughter Carsen is a junior at Clarinda. The two have played against each other in basketball going back to middle school. The entire family agrees the only thing in the games called foul are by the referees.

“I think it’s one of those things you hope it will happen, but you don’t know,” Nikki said as she watched the two girls grow up. “It’s really cool when it did. It is fun to see them compete. It’s fun to see their personalities out there.”

Melissa expected to see the two girls play on the same court.

“There was a level of intensity in middle school, especially when you play Creston. It just brings something different. They know each other’s friends and it all brought out another dynamic,” she said.

Carsen also remembered the high emotion playing Creston in middle school.

“We were in separate pools in a tournament and we met in the championship and we came out with the win,” she said.

Nikki said she and Melissa agreed on some rules on game days when their daughters were both in high school. “Melissa and I mutually decided not sit together when they play each other,” she said. Melissa didn’t question it. “The higher the level played, the more intense. But it’s still fun to watch the girls go up against each other.”

The emotion is there.

“I think there is some build up. Both of the girls want to win, and I think there is some bragging rights. Afterward they can tease each other,” Nikki laughed. “They compete, but at the end of the day, they hope their cousin still had a good game.”

Ava said she saw more of Carsen off the court during their younger years. As they grew up and got involved, the meetings were fewer.

“And she only lives an hour away,” Ava said. “We wouldn’t really talk about sports, it wasn’t about big things. But when we play varsity, I was to be the athlete of the family,” she teased.

Ava remembered the middle school years. “I was guarding Carsen once. When we played each other in JV (high school) that wasn’t a big deal. Going back to middle school, no one cared then. But no way is she going to get the tall-girl rebounds.”

Carsen is taller than Ava. Because of basketball positions they play, it’s rare for them to be against each other.

“We talk before games, but not during as we play,” Carsen said.

Melissa said Ava has more intensity. Ava agreed she is more competitive than Carsen.

“Ava should have been my kid as she has more of my personality,” Melissa laughed. “We should sprinkle a little bit of Carsen into Ava and Ava into Carsen,” Nikki added.

Whatever the scoreboard shows at the end doesn’t reflect on the family.

“We still get along. Afterward we stay and watch the boy’s game. It’s not life-or-death. It’s high school basketball,” Ava said. Carsen’s freshman brother Cain is getting some varsity minutes.

“We talk basketball,” Ava said. “And we gang up on Cain since he’s only a freshy.”

Melissa likes how the entire family leaves the girls game on the court, regardless of what happened.

“They are very competitive, but they are both mature,” she said. “They can put those games aside knowing at the end of the day we are still a family. We are grateful our dad is there.”

John said he saw the interest Ava and Carsen had in sports during their younger years. When they reached high school, things changed for John.

“I never thought they would be playing against each other,” he laughed. John had to come up with some game time strategy of his own.

“I will wear something Iowa,” he said, not wanting to wear Clarinda or Creston apparel to avoid showing favoritism. “And I will cheer for both.”

As Melissa and Nikki sit on opposite sides of the court, John said he sits with Melissa. “I will set with her as I don’t see her as often.”

John said there are no hard feelings during or after games. It’s common for all the families to spend additional time at the boy’s game that follows or they all go find something to eat at a restaurant. John said he has gone to road games for both granddaughters when they don’t play against each other.

Ava and Carsen play other sports, but basketball is the only one they compete against each other. The two girls said they’d expect the same feelings if they met in other sports.

“I’m just glad it was one sport,” John said with a chuckle.

When Ava graduates this year, it will be a bittersweet moment for John. “I am just glad I got to see both of them play. I cheer for both as I know they both can’t win.”

Clarinda visits Creston Feb. 10.

Wellhausen and Adamson are not the only relatives in the area playing against each other.

Mount Ayr’s Jackson Ruggles has been an opponent of his cousin Jathan South who plays at Adair-Casey-Guthrie Center. Ruggle’s grandmother’s maiden name is South. They played against each other twice on the football field, the first time during the 2023 season.

Ruggles and South played the same positions at their respective school, quarterback and safety. Ruggles is a junior and South is a senior.

“In the playoffs, before halftime, I intercepted one of his passes,” Ruggles said. “We laughed it off. Our teams know we are related. I just get a little bit of teasing.”

They have also tackled each other, Ruggles said. Each one helps the other get up after the play ends. What started on the field, carried over off the field.

“We got closer,” Ruggles said. “We since have talked about sports to each other. We do see each other occasionally. We get along.”

Ruggles said the 2024 season felt different as Adair-Casey-Guthrie Center became a Mount Ayr rival.

“We would be on the field at the same time. It was weird seeing him across the line,” Ruggles said.

The football field may not be the only place where they meet as opponents.

If the basketball playoff schedules works out, it’s possible the two could see each other then. If not, they will have to wait until spring and see each other at track meets. Until then, the supportive relationship continues.

“We text, Snapchat, ask each other about games. We even give each other advice at times,” Ruggles said.

South called the first-time meeting on the field “crazy” but an awesome experience.

“The second time we played (football) it was more friendly. We have had great conversations playing each other,” he said.

South said if it wasn’t trying to tackle each other, it was getting in some trash talk, but the relationship was never threatened.

“We are great friends. We talk constantly. We talk almost everyday,” South said. “It would be awesome to be in the same basketball game or at track.”

Track may be a challenge as the two are in different events. South likes hurdles and certain relays. Ruggles is focused on the 400.

South said he is appreciative of his teammates’ attitude toward the situation.

“My teammates thought it would get in the way. But they know we are great friends and still competitive with each other,” he said.

Ava had a similar sentiment with Carsen.

“Maybe I can watch her next year rather than watch her drop 20 on us. It will be a little sad when it’s over but I can watch her next year.”