Newell-Fonda Mustangs beat Saint Ansgar 77-58, advance to Class 1A semifinals

Newell-Fonda defeated Saint Ansgar 77-58 in the Class 1A quarterfinal at the Casey’s Center in Des Moines, forcing 32 Saint Ansgar turnovers and converting those mistakes into 36 points en route to a spot in the semifinals. The Mustangs’ pressure defense produced 21 steals and eight different scorers in the victory, a performance that sent coach Dick Jungers’ squad into the next round.

Ellie Sievers led Newell-Fonda with 18 points, while freshman Quinn Sievers delivered 17 off the bench. Rylee Hogrefe added 12 points and Jocee Walsh finished with six points, eight rebounds and a team-leading five steals. Ighsau and KCAU reported that Newell-Fonda’s depth and defensive activity created fast-break and transition scoring opportunities throughout the game.

Saint Ansgar received a big night from Jacey Johnston, who scored 28 points on 8-of-16 shooting and made 10 of 12 free throws, while grabbing six rebounds and dishing two assists. Lindsay Kruse posted a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, and Quinn Osgood contributed 11 points. Ighsau noted this was Saint Ansgar’s first trip to the state tournament in five years and the program’s eighth overall.

Ighsau listed Newell-Fonda’s record at 23-2 after the quarterfinal win and reported the Mustangs will play again Friday at 3:15 p.m., when Jungers’ team will pursue the school’s 14th appearance in a championship game. Ighsau’s tournament notes also place Newell-Fonda among the state’s most successful programs, with four state titles — including three straight from 2019–21 — and a 35-16 record in state tournament play that ties Dowling Catholic for second all-time.

That state berth was earned after a dominant regional final in Cherokee on Feb. 26, when Newell-Fonda beat George-Little Rock to punch its ninth straight ticket to Des Moines. Local outlets differ by a point on the regional final score — KTIV reported a 71-37 final while Messengernews carried 71-36 — but both accounts, plus StormLakeRadio, highlighted a second-quarter surge in which the Mustangs outscored George-Little Rock 19-1 and carried a 28-point lead at halftime. StormLakeRadio said Ellie Sievers scored 14 of her team-high 17 points in the first half of that regional, with Rylee Hogrefe and Jocee Walsh each adding 11 and Quinn Sievers chipping in 10; Messengernews noted Newell-Fonda shot 27 of 58 and made seven 3-pointers in the game.

Messengernews identified seniors Mareni Brabec, Camryn Puhrmann, Ava Vie and Jocee Walsh as part of a veteran core that has compiled 91 wins over the past four seasons. After the regional win, Jungers praised the defensive effort and senior leadership, saying, “We really came out strong on the defensive side with a lot of pressure,” “I liked the pace of the game. Once the kids settled in, the shots started falling,” and “A win this time of year is always a good one.” Jungers added, “I just can’t speak highly enough about our senior leadership … They’re great leaders and have worked the young kids in.”

The Mustangs’ quarterfinal was carried locally on 92.9 FM KKIA, and Newell-Fonda will return to the Casey’s Center on Friday at 3:15 p.m. to try to extend a season built on defensive disruption and balanced scoring.