Braves earn eighth appearance in girls state basketball tournament
CHEROKEE — Washington High School gymnasium was a buzz Saturday night for the Class 3A Region 5 Substate game between Iowa Prep Illustrated’s (IPI’s) No. 13-ranked Atlantic Trojans and IPI’s sixth-ranked Cherokee girls.
The electrical feel of the gymnasium atmosphere was definite plus for Cherokee, who came is with a sparkling 11-0 record on their home floor this season. This included a pair of wins over Greene County and Carroll Kuemper to get them to the game against Atlantic.
After a brief 2-0 deficit to Atlantic, Cherokee finished off the Trojans, 54-33, earning the eighth trip to the girl’s state basketball tournament in Des Moines (1977, 1991, 2003, 2005, 2016, 2017, 2021). The game was a rematch of last season’s semifinal. Atlantic was in the regional championship for the first time in 21 years.That season, Atlantic when they went to state under legendary Don Jenkins.
The win against Atlantic is the third in three tries by Cherokee against the Trojans in the Bound Era since 2021. Cherokee earned a February 14, 2024 win in Class 3A Region 7 play (55-44), and February 17, 2021 victory in Class 3A Region 1 play (63-48).
Hear From The Coach
“I’m relieved. I’m excited. I’m happy for these girls. This was one of our goals this year.”
Brandon Slaughter, Cherokee girls head basketball coach
Takeaway
Names like Addy Wolfswinkel and Deidra Doeden are a big reason why another state qualifier banner can be added to the Cherokee gym. The sophomore duo combined to score 37 of the 54 Braves points. Wolfswinkel finished with 19 and Doeden 18 points.
Cherokee opened the game with three straight possessions where they turned the ball over, before getting their first basket from Doeden off the low post with 6:26 left in the opening quarter.
The five Cherokee starters were the only to score. Six reserves failed to score in late appearances in the fourth quarter
Ket Statistics/Notables
The chaos credited by Cherokee’s defensive pressure forced Atlantic into 27 turnovers.
Cherokee took a 15-7 lead at the end of one quarter. The Braves had their biggest lead of the first half of 14 points (30-16) with 1:09 left. Cherokee matched their biggest lead of the first half with a 5-0 run on a basket by Doeden with 5:15 left in the third quarter. The remainder of the third quarter, Cherokee outscored Atlantic 12-4, taking a 22 point lead (49-27) into the fourth stanza.
The Braves increased their lead to a margin of 26 points (53-27) on a field goal and pair of free throws by Doeden in a span of 33 seconds.
Pacing Atlantic was Katrina Williams with 13 points. Payton Harter added eight points, seven rebounds, three steals and pair of assists. Zoey Kirchhoff led the Trojans with four assists.
Atlantic’s season ends with a 18-7 record overall.
Aside Doeden’s 18 points, she finished off her career 18th double-double with 10 rebounds (14th in 2024-2025). She added three steals and two blocked shots. Wolfswinkel tied teammate Kadyn Volkert for assists, each finishing with five. Wolfswinkel also came away with four steals.
Up Next
Cherokee (21-3) will be asked to defeat IPI’s No. 7-ranked Estherville-Lincoln Central (20-3), a familiar foe in the Lakes Conference in the state first round matchup. The two teamssplit regular season meetings, each winning on their home floor. Tip for the Class 3A state tournament game is Monday, March 3, at 6:45 p.m.
Atlantic 7 – 12 (19) – 8 (27) – 6 = 33
Cherokee 15 – 15 (30) – 19 (49) – 5 = 54
Atlantic Record:Â 18-7;Â Cherokee Record: 21-3.
CHEROKEE
Addy Wolfswinkel 19, McKenna Benson 3, Kadyn Volkert 5, Deidra Doeden 18, Laney Wolfswinkel 9, Jillian Paulsrud 0, Nora Hare 0, Kenda Smith 0, Ava Kremer 0, Danika Ducommun 0, Anna Nixon 0. Totals: 22-49 5-8 54.
3-Point Field Goals (5-16) — A. Wolfswinkel 2, Benson 1, Volkert 1, L. Wolfswinkel 1. Rebounds Leader (29) — Doeden 10, Volkert 6. Assists Leader (15) — A. Wolfswinkel 5, Volkert 5. Steals Leader (9) — A. Wolfswinkel 4, Doeden 3. Blocks Leader (2) — Doeden 2. Total Fouls (10). Fouled Out — none.
