Warriors stumble against Ed-Co in playoff opener
Layla Embretson puts up a contested shot in Central’s postseason loss at Ed-Co. (Photo by Willis Patenaude)
Brylee Erickson eyes teammate Blair Scherf as she heads toward the basket in last week's postseason opener. (Photo by Willis Patenaude)
Katie Royer lays in a basket in the loss to Ed-Co. (Photo by Bev Hamann)
Oakley Armstrong puts up a three-point shot versus the Vikings. (Photo by Bev Hamann)
By Willis Patenaude | Times-Register
The Central girls basketball team traveled to Edgewood-Colesburg last week for the first round of the postseason. It was the second time this season the Warriors made the trip, looking to avenge a December loss.
The Warriors held a slim 9-8 lead after the first quarter, with Layla Embretson and Katie Royer, who combined for 20 points, leading the offense. The defense held Ed-Co’s leading scorers, Lilee Boriskey and Ellie Kirby, mostly in check, but the Vikings took a three-point lead into halftime.
The third quarter saw more scoring, as both offenses developed synergy and consistency. Brylee Erickson, who scored six in the game, and Blair Scherf, who finished with seven, added to the scoreboard. The defense, which finished with six steals while forcing 10 turnovers, did what it could to slow down Boriskey. She was held to 18 points, below her season average of 21, but Kirby found openings and put shots through the hoop, scoring 18 of her 20 points in the second half.
Near the end of the third quarter, Embretson hit a pass to Scherf for two points, cutting the deficit to four points with Ed-Co leading 34-30 heading into the decisive fourth quarter.
“It was a sign of our maturing as a team. It was well executed, done by a good in bounds pass, a pass up the sideline, and Blair knowing how much time was left on the clock. We couldn’t carry that momentum into the fourth quarter, unfortunately,” said coach Mark Wiley.
The fourth quarter was a forgettable one for the Warriors, as turnovers and fouls took a toll. The Vikings scored 19 points off Central’s 18 turnovers and 19 Central fouls sent the Vikings to the free throw line 21 times, where they added 11 more points. Conversely, the Warriors only shot eight free throws, making four of them.
Taking advantage of the situation, Ed-Co out-score Central 17-4 in the fourth quarter and won 51-34, ending the Warriors’ season.
“Hard fought loss for our young team,” Wiley said. “Our ability to handle the basketball needs to be a top priority in the off season. Something that takes time, but is possible to work on anywhere there is a basketball.”
The Warriors ended the season in sixth place in the Upper Iowa Conference, with a record of 7-9. They were 9-14 overall. The season was highlighted by wins over North Fayette Valley, South Winneshiek and Clayton Ridge, while sweeping conference opponents Postville and West Central.
Team leaders included Scherf with 185 points, 155 rebounds and 19 blocks. Royer led with 63 steals and Armstrong had 57 assists. Embretson finished with the highest shooting percentage among starters, at 42 percent.
