Winterset girls open strong

WINTERSET — Opening the season against two state-ranked opponents has been a challenge for the Creston girls basketball team looking for offense to complement returning all-state post player Doryn Paup.

A year ago, seniors Brianna Fields, Morgan Driskell and point guard Gracie Hagle kept opposing defenses from ganging up on Paup, a 6-foot senior who surpassed 30 points on multiple occasions.

This year, Paup has opened with production of eight points in the opening loss to Des Moines Christian, and a team-high 12 points on Monday in a 56-29 loss to Class 4A 15th-ranked Winterset.

Senior guard Jena Young led the Huskies with 18 points, while Raegan Coobs and Ashlyn Devine each tallied eight points.

Behind Paup’s hard-earned 12 points, often against more than one defender in Winterset’s zone, the next high scorers for Creston were seniors Nevaeh Randall and Jacy Kralik with four points each. Keely Coen and Kadley Bailey each made one 3-pointer for Creston.

“We’re still searching for our identity on offense after losing those three seniors,” Creston coach Tony Neubauer said. “We know Doryn is going to get a lot of attention. We have to find that consistent second and third scorer. Defensively, we did some good things tonight. Jena Young is a special guard for them. I thought holding them to 23 points at half was great. We just have to score more than nine.”

Neubauer said lack of rebounding allowed Winterset too many second and third shots. Creston’s tough early schedule continues Friday in a home contest against Nodaway Valley (1-1).

“To be fair, we’ve played two very good basketball teams to start out,” Neubauer said. “Nodaway Valley is another good team. The (Lindsey) Davis girl is solid. They play up tempo. We took some strides forward tonight defensively. We just have to keep getting better. It’s November. The good thing about our early schedule is that it exposes what we need to work on.”

Winterset 56, Creston 29

WINTERSET (56) — (FG FT PTS) Totals — 21 7-10 56. Jena Young 18, Ashlyn Devine 8, Raegan Coobs 8, Bailey Acton 5, Avery Darling 4, Brynn Acton 4, Madeline Young 4, Jaya Kleemeier 2, Olivia Boyle 1. 3-point goals (6) — Young 2, Devine 2, Darling 1, Bailey Acton 1. Team fouls — 13. Fouled out — none.

CRESTON (29) — (FG FT PTS) Totals — 12 3-9 29. Doryn Paup 12, Nevaeh Randal 4, Jacy Kralik 4, Keely Coen 3, Kadley Bailey 3, Brynn Tussey 2, Ella Turner 1. 3-point goals (2) — Coen 1, Bailey 1. Team fouls — 11. Fouled out — None.