Ranked Cubs hand Raiders first defeat

MAXWELL — Nevada is one of those programs which can defeat its opponent before the opening tip even takes place.

The Cubs won the Class 3A state title in 2015 and were the runner-ups last season. This year’s Nevada team has moved up to 4A but should still compete for the conference title.

Fortunately for Collins-Maxwell/Baxter coach Eric Padget, his Raiders came into the game with thoughts of nothing but winning.

CMB was within striking distance at halftime but didn’t make enough shots on the offensive end of the floor during a 52-27 loss Tuesday in the home opener.

“I was worried about that coming in because it’s happened in the past,” Padget said in response to being defeated before the game began. “To a player and coach, I felt we thought we had a chance to win tonight.

“I was really happy with the way we played the entire game. Our shots just didn’t fall.”

CMB trailed 20-10 at halftime after junior Brianda Bane scored five straight to close out the second quarter.

The Raider defense did enough, but CMB made only 10-of-36 from the floor in the Heart of Iowa Conference loss.

Nevada hit four 3-pointers in the third quarter and outscored the Raiders 17-5 to pull away.

“Anytime you put in two new things, the offense is going to be the slowest,” said Padget, who is back on the bench after a three-year hiatus. “They picked the defense up right away, but Nevada is obviously really good. Anyone who told me Nevada was going to be down this year are liars.”

Nevada, ranked 11th in 4A to start the season, scored the game’s first eight points before senior Kathleen Baldwin got the Raiders on the board. CMB stayed close with a strong second quarter.

Nevada led 20-5 when Bane converted a three-point play and then buried two free throws to make it a 10-point game at the break.

“We held them to 20 points at the half, and we cut our deficit to 10,” Padget said. “That gave us a chance.”

Two-time all-state post Lexy Koudelka had 13 points at halftime. She began the third quarter with back-to-back buckets then the Cubs’ two other returning starters got it going from outside.

Senior Abby Stephenson hit consecutive triples to push the Cubs’ lead to 30-13. Senior Claire Ausman followed with two more 3-pointers in the quarter, including one that came just before third-quarter buzzer.

CMB trailed 37-15 after three quarters before losing by 25. The Raiders lost to Nevada 68-18 in the season’s second game last year.

“There are no moral victories at the varsity level,” Padget said. “We did some things well and could have done some things better. In the end, we lost. We can’t be real happy about anything.”

Bane led the Raiders with eight points and six rebounds. Baldwin finished with seven points, senior Sydney Ziesman added five points and two steals and senior Mikayla Eslinger pulled down six boards.

Koudelka led the Cubs (1-1, 1-0) with 22 points, while Stephenson put in 15 and Ausman added nine.

Nevada 8-12-17-15—52

CMB 2-8-5-12—27

Nevada (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP) — Ausman 2/2-2-1-9, Stephenson 8/2-1-1-15, Coogler 0-0-2-0, Fortmann 0-0-1-0, Koudelka 8-6-3-22, Kelby Rewerts 0-1-0-1, Kapustka 1-0-1-2, Mailey 0-0-1-0, Wessell 0-0-1-0, Kacie Rewerts 2-0-0-4, Rhodes 0-0-3-0. Totals 19/4-10-14-52.

CMB (FG/3pt-FT-F-TP) — Hinegardner 1-0-4-2, Ziesman 2-1-2-5, Baldwin 3/1-0-4-7, Johnson 0-0-1-0, Cheville 1-1-0-3, Houge 1-0-0-2, Eslinger 0-0-3-0, Bane 3-4-3-8. Totals 10/1-6-17-27.