Bulldogs combine for 23 steals as Miller passes sister

By Kristi Nixon

HAMPTON – The Class 3A No. 13 Bulldog girls’ basketball team used its pressure to force 23 steals, led by six for senior Courtney Miller, who needed only four to pass her sister Cassy for fourth on the all-time career steals list.

It all culminated in a 52-22 win over winless Iowa Falls-Alden on Friday, Jan. 3.

The all-time leader in school history is Jessica Mennen with 339, followed by Jessica Speake (309) and Alexa Mennen (283). Courtney Miller had 279 after the win over the Cadets.

Ask both coach Miranda Valley and the senior guard, both were unaware she was approaching the top-five.

“That’s fun,” Valley said. “I didn’t know. That says a lot and she obviously had no idea. That’s what is fun about this team is they don’t care about individual milestones. They are out playing for each other, that’s pretty fun and a heck of a person to pass because she was good.”

Miller added, “I didn’t think I was anywhere close to my sister.”

Not only did she lead the team in steals, Miller had an overall solid night against IF-A with a team-high 12 points, adding five steals, three rebounds and blocked a shot.

The result of the game was never in any doubt after the first quarter as the Bulldogs led the Cadets 15-0, didn’t reach the scoring column until the 5 minute, 9 second mark of the second quarter and the continuous clock started rolling with 6:17 left in the game to allow everyone to play.

There certainly were no signs of rust after the holiday break for the 8-0 Bulldogs.

“We had good practices over break and these girls want it,” Valley said. “I wasn’t too worried about being too flat, but you never know.

“We’re looking at everybody. You can’t look ahead. Every team shows up. This team got beat by 11 by Humboldt and we beat Humboldt, knowing that you have to go in to every game ready to play.”

It was a complete team effort, however, with Avery Hanson adding 10 points and five rebounds and everyone on the roster contributed in some way.

“We play really well together as a team on the court, which is really nice,” Miller said. “My teammates put me in position to get me in this situation.”

The road gets a little harder for the Bulldogs with games at Algona and Nevada as well as a home test against Class 3A No. 2 Clear Lake coming up.

“I’m pretty excited because those games,” Miller said, “because it will show us how good we really are.”

Bulldogs 52, Iowa Falls-Alden 22

Bulldogs (8-0, 4-0) –Kaci Arjes 2-7 0-0 6, Alana Johnson 0-1 0-0 0, Lauren Meader 2-7 0-0 4, Maci Arjes 2-4 1-2 5, Calista Polk 2-6 0-0 4, Courtney Miller 4-11 0-0 12, Avery Hanson 3-3 3-4 10, Briana Grover 3-4 2-2 8, Morgyn Anderson 1-1 0-0 2, Skyler Valley 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-44 6-8 52.

IF-A0            7     5   10      -   22

Bulldogs    15   11   17     9      -   52

Three-point goals– H-D 8-44 (Miller 4-7, K. Arjes 2-6, Hanson 1-1, Polk 1-4, Johnson 0-1, M. Arjes 0-2, Meader 0-3). Rebounds– H-D 16, 4 off., 12 def. (Hanson 5, Meader 4, Miller 3, K. Arjes 2, Johnson, B. Grover). Assists– H-D 16 (Miller 5, Meader 3, M. Arjes 3, K. Arjes 2, Hanson 2, Polk). Steals– H-D 23 (Miller 6, Meader 4, M. Arjes 4, K. Arjes 3, Hanson 3, B. Grover 2, Polk). Blocks– H-D 4 (Meader, Miller, Hanson, Valley). Total fouls– H-D 9.Fouled out – IF-A, None; H-D, None.

Bulldog Career Steals Leaders

Jessica Mennen (1996-00) 339

Jessica Speake (2012-16) 309

Alexa Mennen (2002-06) 283

Courtney Miller (2017-present) 279

Cassy Miller (2013-17) 276

Macala Mennen (2004-08) 267

Jordan Prantner (2012-16) 226

Chandra Hampton (2006-10) 218

Laura Rowen (2000-03) 193

Tara Fox (1996-00) 172