Area talent on display at SWCC

Southwestern Community College officials deemed their first attempt at hosting high school basketball all-star games a big success Sunday evening.

Men’s coach Darryl Fletcher and women’s coach Kori Zarzutzki coordinated their efforts to bring some of the top talents of Southwest Iowa together for an exhibition, regardless of their class in school.

The Blue team coached by Thad Streit of Mount Ayr edged the Red team coached by Nodaway Valley’s Brian Eisbach, 59-57, in the girls contest on a basket with :02 left by 6-2 sophomore Kenzley Bruck of Harlan. (Individual scoring totals were not available.)

Several area players were on Streit’s team, including Kadley Bailey of Creston, Jaxy Knight of Mount Ayr, Mylee Comstock and Maddie Weston of Nodaway Valley, Sadie Cox of Lenox and Hailey Randall of Southwest Valley.

Creston junior Ella Turner was on the Red team along with Nodaway Valley’s Izzy Eisbach, Izzy Gilbertson of Mount Ayr, Emma Boswell of Orient-Macksburg, Mackenzie Fast of Southwest Valley, Zoey Reed of Lenox, Izzy Curtis of Lenox and Aniya Hardee of Bedford.

The boys game was a high-scoring affair featuring a lot of dunks and 3-pointers. The Red boys team coached by Mount Ayr’s Bret Ruggles defeated the Blue team coached by Curt Schulte of Glenwood, 94-87.

Those on the winning Red squad included Jackson Ruggles of Mount Ayr and Alex Morgan of Southwest Valley. The Blue team included senior Jake Hoyt and sophomore Rhett Driskell of Creston.

There were at least three SWCC recruits in the game. Southwest Valley’s Morgan, a 6-foot senior, and 6-7 senior Cole Lundgren of Southeast Valley played Sunday and plan to walk on for the Southwestern men’s team, according to coach Fletcher. CAM 5-6 senior Maddie Richter plans to play on the Southwestern women’s team next year.

“A close friend of mine at NIACC does a similar all-star game and brought it up to me as something to try,” Fletcher said. “We thought it would be a good thing for the community. We kind of threw it together in the last week and a half, so we’ll have more time to plan things next year. For the most part we got exactly what we wanted — a good mix of juniors, seniors and some sophomores. It was nice to have a couple of our walk-ons in the game, Alex and Ethan.”

Zarzutzki was impressed with the turnout of fans, which nearly filled the south bleachers.

“We had heard of all-star games that usually feature seniors only,” Zarzutzki said. “So we decided to welcome some underclassmen, too. We took nominations and we were really happy with the turnout. We didn’t know what to expect in year one, but the crowd was great. Between the boys and the girls we had 20 schools represented. Maddie Richter will be playing here and did well, so that was cool.”

The benefits can be wide-reaching, the Spartan coach noted.

“It’s good for SWCC even beyond basketball,” Zarzutzki said. “It recognizes students in your back yard, and gives the school exposure. It’s just good on both ends.”

Creston girls basketball coach Tony Neubauer said he enjoyed watching two of his players participate. At times, Bailey was guarding Turner during the action. Lenox, Mount Ayr and Nodaway Valley also had players on opposing teams.

“It was fun,” Neubauer said. “Kadley had four points and a couple of nice assists to the Bruck girl inside. Ella did what she always does. She worked her tail off with some big assists and offensive boards, and hit a free throw to tie the game late. The best part of it is that we get to have both of them back for another year.”

Girls game

Blue Team (59) — Coach: Thad Streit, Mount Ayr. Players: Jaxy Knight, Sr., Mount Ayr; Mylee Comstock, Sr, Nodaway Valley; Sadie Cox, Sr., Lenox; Kadley Bailey, Jr., Creston; Kenzley Bruck, So. Harlan; Molly Swenson, Sr., Harlan; Makenna Perkins, Sr., Central Decatur; Maddie Richter, Sr, CAM; Hailey Randall, Jr., Southwest Valley.

Red Team (57) — Coach: Brian Eisbach. Players: Izzy Eisbach, Jr., Nodaway Valley; Izzy Gilbertson, So., Mount Ayr; Breya Nickle, Sr., Mount Ayr; Emma Boswell, Jr., Orient-Macksburg; Mackenzie Fast, Jr., Southwest Valley; Zoey Reed, Jr., Lenox; Izzy Curtis, Sr., Lenox; Aniya Hardee, So., Bedford; Alexis Schebaum, Sr. Shenandoah; Ella Turner, Jr., Creston.

Boys game

Red Team (94) — Coach: Bret Ruggles. Players: Cam Seuferer, Sr., Southeast Warren; Jackson Ruggles, Jr., Mount Ayr; Preston Stensland, Jr., Gilbert; Jathan South, Sr., ACGC; Jonathan Bergmeier, Sr., Glidden-Ralston; Jack Johnson, Jr., Glenwood; Alex Morgan, Sr., Southwest Valley; Cameron Gibson, Sr., Chariton; Chase Jahde, Sr., CAM; Ethan Utesch, Sr., Le Mars.

Blue Team (87) — Coach: Curt Schulte, Glenwood. Players: Jake Hoyt, Sr., Creston; Ayden Gibson, Sr., Glenwood; Ryan Clair, Jr., Kuemper Catholic; Owen Anderson, Sr., Mormon Trail; Payton Policky, Sr., ACGC; Kobe Klaasen, So. Harlan; Rhett Driskell, Jr., Creston; Drew Schroeder, Sr., Glenwood; Collin Bower, Jr., CAM; Cole Lundgren, Sr., Southeast Valley.