TICKET PUNCHED: Cyclone Girls’ Win Defensive Battle Over Cherokee to Reach State, 50-47

HC Coach Zach Klaassen
(2-17-24)

HC's Ava Monson
(2-17-24)

HC's Erica Rust
(2-17-24)

HC's Hannah Sonderman
(2-17-24)

HC's Aubrey Schwieso
(2-17-24)

HC's Molly Swensen
(2-17-24)

TICKET PUNCHED: Cyclone Girls’ Win Defensive Battle Over Cherokee to Reach State, 50-47 –

(2-17-24) – The determination never wavered.

A wild back-and-forth battle ended in Harlan Community earning a 50-47 win over Cherokee Washington in 3A-7 Regional Championship Game on Saturday.

Despite being down by 4 pts at the end of the 3rd qtr, Cyclone Coach Zach Klaassen knew what his team could do to gain the victory.

“We didn't panic and I knew that throughout all the tough games we've had this year, we'd be all right. The kids just bought in, believed in themselves, believed in each other, and it worked out.”

Erica Rust hit the game-winning bucket with :35 sec to go. She led team with 15 pts and talked to KNOD Sports about the mindset to set up that shot.

“I knew when their bigger girl got fouled out that I needed to work in the paint. At halftime, I said, ‘We gotta run box. I can seal her.’ And that play we did and then we got that bucket to put us ahead.”

Rust also had 11 rebounds for her third double-double of the postseason.

Cherokee Washington was led by Harper Benson who had 18 pts and 8 rebounds. The Braves dominated the boards, grabbing 41 to just 28 for the Cyclones, including 22 on the offensive end, and getting several second and third chance opportunities to score.

Aubrey Schwieso had 13 pts came up with big rebounds and free throws late to seal the game for the Cyclones. It was a moment Schweiso has been practicing for her whole life.

“That's something I practiced in my driveway when I was like 10 yo, like going to State on the line. So I just kind of relaxed, shoot a free throw. First one doesn't go in, I just gotta shake it off and make the next one.”

This Cyclone team is excited at the opportunity to battle for a state title.

“It's so exciting,” said Molly Swensen. “It doesn't feel real. I mean, we've been together and just winning this is just amazing.”

“(I’m) overwhelmed,” said Ava Monson. “There's so much excitement, joy, love. There's everything in this gym tonight and I'm so happy to be a Cyclone.”

“My feelings are so good right now,” said Hannah Sonderman. “I'm so proud of this team and everything we've accomplished and just everyone stepping up tonight and getting the job done.”

Klaassen has brought teams to Wells Fargo Arena before and knows what his players can expect.

“You got to treat it like another game. If you treat it more than being anything else, then your nerves are going to get the best of you and you're not going to be able to show the quality of basketball players that we have wearing in the Cyclone uniform. So ,we just gotta have composure, go down, not make the moment too big, but enjoy the moment as well.”

Rust is not only confident in her teammates, she tries to motivate them when the going gets tough.

“I'm confident. I knew that I needed to keep my composure and be confident. Every timeout or every huddle. I was telling the girls like something, ‘You can do this! Be confident and get the ball. Keep it high.’ I'm trying to motivate them because I knew when I was younger like that that I needed that.”

Harlan Community is the 5-seed in the Class 3A State Tournament and will play Mount Vernon on Monday, February 26th, at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines at 6:45pm. (KNOD 105.3FM)

1 2 3 4 F
CHEROKEE WASHINGTON 10 8 16 13 47
HARLAN COMMUNITY 10 9 11 20 50

POINTS: HC - Rust 15, Schwieso 13, Swensen 11, Sonderman 5, Albertsen 4, Monson 2. CW - H. Benson 18, L. Wolfswinkel 8, Volkert 7, A. Wolfswinkel 7, Pigott 5, M. Benson 1, Graveinsh 1

REBOUNDS: HC - Rust 11, Monson 5, Schwieso 4, Swensen 2, Albertsen 2, Bruck 2 . CW - H. Benson 8, Volkert 6, L. Wolfswinkel 5, Doeden 5, Pigott 5, A. Wolfswinkel 3, Gravenish 3, M. Benson 1

ASSISTS: HC - Schwieso 8, Sonderman 3, Swensen 2, Monson 2. CW - H. Benson 3, Volkert 1, M. Benson 1, Pigott 1

View past scores by visiting the Iowa High School Athletic Association's website, Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union website,
or Iowa Quik Stats