Cyclones Shutdown Clarinda for Klaassen’s 200th Win, 71-40

Harlan Community's Erica Rust (2-14-24)

HC Coach Zach Klaassen (2-14-24)

Cyclones Shutdown Clarinda for Klaassen’s 200th Win, 71-40 -

(2-14-24) – “If you're a Christian and you love basketball and you believe in love, what a day! Valentine's Day, Ash Wednesday and a Cyclone victory.”

That’s how Cyclone Coach Zach Klaassen put a bow on Harlan Community’s 71-40 win over Clarinda Wednesday in the Class 3A Region 7 Semifinals at the Palace in Harlan.

It was Klaassen’s 200th win of his career and got his team one win away from reaching the State Basketball Tournament. He felt the defense did its job to lead them to victory.

“The one thing you can count on is defense. You don't know if your shots gonna fall before the game starts or whatever, but defense, it's all about effort and heart and just communication. I thought we were all on the same page for the most part. Got some good steals early that led to some easy transition buckets and kids were just running floor hard and we had heads up and just balls flying up forward and that's just the pace we like to play at and that's what we want to do with that basketball.”

Cyclone Erica Rust put up another double-double with 25 pts and 10 rebounds. Many of her baskets were set up in transition on the 20 steals Harlan Community was able to create against Clarinda.

“Defense turns into your offense, and we're getting those tip outs, steals, and we were running that floor really hard. They just said keep running the floor. Erica, we'll get you the ball and they did.”

“You know, that's what we preach,” added Klaassen. “Everybody's gotta step up. Everybody's gotta make plays. When you're out there, you gotta be a factor to score. Everybody's hands are active and everybody got a lot of steals.”

Rust said her team knew they could take advantage of the Cardinals down low.

“We knew we could work it inside, especially if their bigger girl was out and we had a look inside. Our 3-point shot was also going in. Molly, Hannah, Ava, I think they all hit a couple so that was really good. Our shots were going in and we just need to transfer that over to Saturday night.”

Meanwhile, getting win No. 200 for their coach was special to Rust and her teammates.

“It's awesome. We knew coming into this game that he needed it… I think my sophomore year I was here for his 150, so be able to get that 200 is awesome feeling.”

Klaassen will go for win 201 against Cherokee Washington in the Class 3A Region 7 Championship on Saturday. (KNOD 105.3FM)

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