An Independent Newspaper Serving the Athletes of the

Springville Schools and Area Community

Wednesday, December 9, 2015 Volume 6>>Issue 17> An Independent newspaper serving Springville, Iowa

“I Learned The Value Of Hard Work

By Working Hard” ~ Margaret Mead

ORIOLE PRIDE

DANCE TEAM TAKES CENTER STAGE

It’s an annual affair each winter—the girls dance team spends a couple of days in Des Moines competing among other 1A programs for the coveted trophies and ratings. Head Coach Liz Port took another team with her last week and had to save room on the bus for the hardware they’d return with. In Class II Hip Hop the girls received a Division 1 Rating, in Class I Novelty they received another Division 1 rating as well as a Third Place Trophy. Congratulations to the girls and Coach Port. Hopefully we’ll be seeing their performances at half time of some upcoming basketball games. (Photo courtesy of Melissa Williams)

LADY O’S HAVE THEIR FIRST TEST—AND PASS WITH FLYING COLORS

It needs no explanation—your 2015 Lady Oriole basketball team begins this year ranked 1st in the state and for any cynic out there—just a two minute video clip will prove to anyone that they are the real deal. After disposing of East Buchanan efficiently last Friday the big hype began around the area media circles. Maquoketa Valley was awaiting the O’s arrival for a Tuesday match up that pitted our #1 team against the 2A #11 Wildcats—lots of eyes were watching. But let’s go back to the East Buchanan game for a quick summary. It was all Springville from the onset. The girls jumped out to a 26-0 first quarter lead, took a 49-4 spread into the half time break and thankfully the continuous clock sped up the victory that ended with a final of 73-6. Don’t rub your lenses—that is correct, 73-6. Coach Sanderson said that “We played a very active defense forcing East Buchanan into 30 turnovers for the game, many of which led to some easy baskets in transition”. Sophomore Rylee Menster was on fire and finished with 22 points. The star was 3-3 from two point territory and 4-5 from three point land. Oh, and she added 8 steals to her arsenal of statistics while Sophomore team mate Mikayla Nachazel added 16 points from the paint. With the big victory, the girls shifted their focus to Tuesday’s game and an early test for Sanderson’s

bunch. The game lived up to its hype, it was fast paced and physical with plenty of offense from both teams and early, it looked like our girls could have been in a bit of trouble. The Wildcats jumped out to an 8-0 lead on a couple of three’s and a bucket inside. But Coach Sanderson called a quick TO and had the girls collect themselves and they worked their way back into the game, leading after the first quarter, 16-15. The second quarter was fairly even but the Oriole’s held a 28-21 advantage at the half and I was just wondering who would tucker out first because both teams were pushing the ball. Springville kept their heads in the second half, Senior point guard Megan Wagaman was plagued with foul trouble but there’s another Wagaman on the roster, Sophomore Madi—and she took over the reins and kept her team poised and in the lead. Coach Sanderson remarked that “ Madi Wagaman played a terrific game finishing with 8 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists” and he added that “ we were able to make some huge free throws down the stretch (11-14 from the line in the 4th quarter) to earn Springville's first victory in Delhi since Brian O'Donnell took the Orioles to the state tournament in 2008 & 2009”. Nachazel led her team with 23 points, Alyssa Jaeger and Megan Wagaman finished with 10 while Rylee Menster added 11 points and 4 steals. You’ll hear a common theme this year and it goes like this—Rylee Menster is the quickest, slickest, most annoying defender our opponents are going to see for the next three seasons. It’s more entertaining to watch the body language of the poor kid she’s picking the pocket of because she is just a menace and boy am I glad she’s on our team. Next up for the 3-0 girls is a road trip to Prince of Peace on Friday. Sounds like another win in the making! (Madi Wagaman to the left brings the ball up the floor at M. Valley and above is Nachazel putting up a shot.)

Wednesday, December 9, 2015 Oriole Pride 2

YOUTH TEAMS ARE HOOPING IT UP

Basketball season is in full swing across all of Springville. The high school teams are in action at least twice a week and the Middle School girls are also playing a couple times each week—and add to that our youth sports teams and we have a recipe for round the clock basketball!(Photos provided by Shawnna Embry)

WE NEED YOUR HELP… Are you a youth coach? A parent with a camera? Please share with us the results of Springville competitions. Email us scores, names, photos and event titles at oriolepride@gmail.com

Wednesday, December 9, 2015 Oriole Pride 3 SPRINGVILLE BOYS REMAIN UNDEFEATED

Last week the boys kicked off their season with a decisive win over Cedar Valley Christian at home. On Friday, they kept a pesky East Buchanan team at bay and earned another home victory, beating the Buccaneers 37-20. While the boys didn’t play exceptionally well, they did get the job done and find a way to win. The O’s were led by Junior Cavanaugh Riley with 12 points and Sophomore Ryan Barner chipped in a hard earned 9 from down low. On Tuesday the boys played at Maquoketa Valley which is usually a tough environment. Springville looked confident early, jumping out to a 16-6 lead in the first quarter. Then, the rim sealed up and the O’s couldn’t buy a basket and at the half they trailed 22-20. The Oriole’s came out in the second half with a new intensity and not only rattled off 20 points, they put on a fierce press that had the Wildcats on their heels. Going into the last quarter, Coach Merritt and his squad had a 40-35 lead. Maquoketa Valley didn’t lay down though and they put on a press of their own and the O’s once again found the rim to be closed for business. Like the girls however, one could say this game ended up being their first test of the season and I am happy to report the boys passed. Tied at 44 with 4.4 seconds to play the O’s had the ball and Coach Merritt called a time out. He drew up a play that he later told me in practice has not worked yet—well, it worked on Tuesday. Andrew Blakely inbounded the ball, Jacob Loehr set a screen for Riley who popped out to the corner and the Junior drained a three at the buzzer to give the O’s a huge road win and confidence builder! Sure it’s early in the year but to pick up a road win on a night where the Gods of shooting percentage were not on our side—that is pretty encouraging. Junior sharp shooter Andrew Blakely led the O’s with 15 points and Riley tossed in 14. Sophomore big man Ryan Barner is blooming before our eyes as well. Each game he gains more experience and starts to fill his shoes more and more as a true post player. Next up for the guys is to follow the girls to Clinton on Friday to take on Prince of Peace. Not a bad way to start off the week-end!

(Pictured above is Blakely with an Oriole three and to the right is Barner going up for a lay up. Below is Riley’s buzzer beater. Photo courtesy of Doug Shaffer.)

Wednesday, December 9, 2015 Oriole Pride 4

WEEKLY PICKS CONTEST… we have great match-ups this week:

Army vs Navy UNI vs NDSU Shephard vs Grand Valley State Cowboys vs Packers Make your picks and for the tie-breaker, predict the total number of touchdowns does Browns QB Johnny Manziel account for against the 49ers —on the ground and in the air. This week’s winner came down to the tie-breaker. Both Joe Martin and Larry Riley were 3 for 4 but Larry nailed the tie-breaker and he wins it. Beathard only had 1 TD last week and Martin predicted 4 while Riley said 1. Thanks for playing and have a great week!

Find us online at http://issuu.com/oriolepride E-mail; oriolepride@gmail.com

ONCE AN ORIOLE—NOW A HAWK

Oriole Legend Jake Hulett graduated in 2013 from Springville and converted himself from a big fish in a little pond to a little fish in a big pond when he ventured off to the University of Iowa that fall. Redshirting his first year we saw glimpses of Jake on the sideline and boy did we celebrate. This season Jake has worked his way into the special teams unit and those sightings of #88 grew more and more frequent. Coach Martin tells us that Jake weighed in at 235-240 his first year at Iowa, now? He is pushing 285 and has gained muscle mass without losing his speed and agility. Martin said that “he is on the starting punt team as a protector (middle of back three guys) and has been in for a few plays at Defensive Tackle. He’s had a lot of good plays and even had one of his blocks played and talked about by Coach Ferentz during one of their whole team film sessions”. Those of you who knew Jake remember him as a humble, likeable and very talented student athlete for the Oriole’s. Coach Martin said he checks in weekly with Jake and it’s no surprise to hear he hasn’t changed one bit and he shared a telling story us… “We went to the last home game this year and got chills (even more than normal in the snowy bleachers)

when I saw him on the field in a Hawkeye jersey. I could not be more thrilled for him for choosing the "harder" road and having success. More importantly was after the game, before coming to talk with us after leaving the locker room, Jake took time to sign autographs for kids waiting for players which shows you he has not changed at all”. No, he has not changed one bit . Jake is the son of Alexis and Kevin Hulett and has a younger brother Trevor. Trevor too is making the move from Springville to the college system, he is a freshman at Wartburg and plays football for the Knights. (Pictured above is Jake on the field prior to the Michigan State game (courtesy of Alexis Hulett. To the left is Jake in his Oriole uniform and below with parents, CJ Fitzgerald and Coach Martin. Family photo provided by Joe Martin.)