Sentinel-Press

Maquoketa

PRESENTS

2018-19

MAQUOKETA

Every shot. Every dribble. Every fan. Every supporter.

It all culminated into a magical season for the
Maquoketa High School boys basketball team.
This section celebrates just what made
A MAGICAL RUN
the 2018-19 Cardinals a team to remember.

A SPECIAL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

PUBLISHED BY SYCAMORE MEDIA / MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS
 2 SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | maqnews.com

About this
section...
T
he whoosh of the pass. The thunk of
the ball bouncing off the hardwood. Emmett #1 Kane #2 Connor #3 Nicholas #5 Brady #10 Macklin #11 Caiden #15
The clank of the ball if it bounces Sheets SO Kopp SR Becker SO Ehlinger SR Digman SO Shanahan SR Atienza SO
off the rim. The swish when the
ball finds nothing but net. The cheers as the
Cards score.
Those sounds and others dominated
Maquoketa’s airwaves this winter as the
Cardinals boys basketball team advanced
through one of its best seasons in decades.
This commemorative section celebrates
the team’s numerous accomplishments. It
honors the determined work ethic of a group
of boys, many of whom have played together Chase #20 Abe #21 Clayton #23 Kannon #24 Kaiden #32 Nathan #33 Ben #35
since third grade, and the coaching staff who Gruenwald JR Becker SR Widel JR Coakley SO Scott SR Watters SR Wagner SR
helped them succeed.
Community members cheered for their
young heroes and packed the 1,600-capacity
home gym many times as the team compiled
win after win.
Support ran high even after the team’s sub-
state loss. We approached families, businesses
and civic organizations to sponsor ads con-
gratulating the team, and most eagerly did.
We’ve enjoyed following and reporting on
James #42 Quentyn #50 Head Coach Asst. Coach Asst. Coach Asst. Coach Asst. Coach
the team’s growth and the level of excitement
Linden SR Huebbe SR Matt Hartman Brian Aunan Chance Jenkins Mark Petersen Jon Ernst
it generated in this small town. Through the
team, we grew together as a community. The
Cardinals showed us the value of hard work This commemorative edition is a specialty publication of Sycamore Media Corp., 108 W. Quarry Street, Maquoketa, Iowa 52060,
and commitment and reminded us of all that 563-652-2441 or 800-747-7377. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher.
Sycamore Media President: Trevis Mayfield Advertising: Brooke Taylor, Nancy Mayfield, Rosie Morehead, Maggie Ward
is possible when a town rallies together.
Creative: Brooke Taylor Editorial: Harv Hansen, Kelly Gerlach, Nick Joos
—The Sentinel-Press team Photography: Buddy Atienza, Harv Hansen, Trevis Mayfield, Nick Joos, Brooke Taylor, contributed

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2018-19 MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASKETBALL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

 maqnews.com | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 3

Great season,
Cardinals!
A
Kane Beck.Je.
Kopp #21 r Nathan
#2
Watters
Kaide Nicholas #33
Scot n Ehlinger
#32 t #5 Quenty
Huebben
Macklin #50
Ben Shanaha n
Wagner #11
#35 Jameesn
Con Lind 2
beckneor #4
Caidezna
atien #3 r
#15 Clayton
Chase Widel
gruenwald #23
n
Kannoley #20
Coak 4 Emmett
#2 Brady
Digmann Sheets
#10 #1

Congratulations 2018-19 Maquoketa Cardinals Varsity Basketball Team

WE ARE SO PROUD OF ALL OF YOU!

WITH LOVE FROM YOUR BIGGEST FANS...
YOUR CARDINAL PARENTS & FAMILIES
2018-19 MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASKETBALL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION
 4 SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | maqnews.com

COACHING THE CARDINALS

This gang of
athletes started
their basketball
careers together
in third grade as
the Red Dogs.
Shown, left to
right, getting
ready to play in
eighth grade as
the Cardinals
are Macklin
Shanahan, A.J.
Becker, Nicholas
Ehlinger, Kane
Kopp and Nathan
Watters.

Contributed photo

Signed, sealed and delivered...

Maquoketa coaching beginning.”
Included in those early-career practices

decisions shaped were communication lessons. To better their

on-court communication, Shanahan would

winning season
play music at a loud volume. That way, the
boys would need to yell over the music and

G
By NICK JOOS
ame one, 2016.
The signs started appearing.
The Maquoketa Cardinals
traveled to Center Point-
Urbana and started the season
with a lopsided 72-39 loss. It wasn’t pretty.
In that game, senior Abe Kinrade led the
scoring effort with 14 points. Second on the
team, though, was a sophomore shooting
guard. He scored eight points off the bench,
including a 2-3 shooting effort from behind
the three-point line.
By the second game of that season, A.J.
Becker was in the starting lineup, and has
been there ever since.
Game two, 2016.
The hosting Cardinals welcomed
Independence, a rebuilding team in its own
right. The game was close throughout and
Maquoketa held a three-point lead entering
halftime.
Then the third quarter happened.
The Cardinals came out firing. Kinrade hit
a trey from the corner, and the crowd jumped
to its feet.
After a Cardinals’ defensive stop, they
took the ball. Another sophomore guard —
this time a lefty — claimed a spot at the top
of the key. His defender gave him space.
The guard, who was also the shortest player
on the court at the time, pulled back and
launched a 25-footer.
Swish.
The Cardinals led by nine, and the crowd
was screaming in jubilation.
Kane Kopp had arrived.
In that same game, with the score tied at
six early on, a third sophomore — a lanky,
Bob Shanahan (left) is pictured with “the gang” on senior night. He instilled the
fundamentals of the game starting in third grade. Shown left to right are Shanahan,
A.J. Becker, Nathan Watters, Macklin Shanahan, Kane Kopp and Nicholas Ehlinger.
fair-haired point guard — put the ball on the
floor with a nifty behind-the-back dribble,
dropped a shoulder, and put in a contested
layup. He was fouled and made the free
throw to boot.
Macklin Shanahan’s first handful of var-
sity points helped set the tone for the rest of
his career: timely, aggressive, and calculated.
At that time, it may have been difficult for
Cardinals fans stuck in the midst of a losing
season to find a silver lining; the team fin-
ished 6-16 at the bottom of the WaMaC East.
But, the future of Maquoketa basketball
was on display.
Two games into their high school career,
those sophomores — who were joined by
post player Nathan Watters and point guard
Nicholas Ehlinger —introduced themselves
to the Cardinal faithful early.
Head coach Matt Hartman, who in 2016
was beginning his first season at the helm of
the Cardinals’ program following a stint in
the same role at Midland, said his decision to
give the sophomores significant playing time
right off the bat was an important one.
“I tried to stay out of their way and let
them play,” Hartman said.
Two years later, that sentiment seems to
have paid dividends. The 20-3 Cardinals
rolled through their WaMaC East schedule.
Leading scorer Becker celebrated 1,000
Contributed photo
points in his high school career this season
while setting school records along the way.
Shanahan led the team in rebounds, assists,
steals and blocks, and Kopp’s defensive
intensity held star competitors like Marion’s
Will Henricksen and Mount Vernon’s
Keaton Kutcher well under their season
scoring averages. Watters played a key role
under the basket snagging rebounds, and
Ehlinger’s work as backup point guard was
vital to the Cardinals keeping their momen-
tum in games while starters rested.
In doing all that, the boys basketball team
helped develop a winning culture in a pro-
gram looking to find direction.
But, it took an army.
Building skills
One member of that army is Stevland
Hardaway Morris, or more commonly
known as 25-time Grammy winner Stevie
Wonder.
It was the kids’ third-grade year when
Bob Shanahan, Macklin’s dad, first got
ahold of them. Shanahan and the boys would
practice in the Maquoketa Middle School
gymnasium. Early on Shanahan emphasized
the importance of fundamentals.
“They were just great teammates from
Day 1,” Shanahan said. “I think that’s
been the solid part of that group since the
thus become comfortable with that on-court
talk.
Shanahan said his practices included two
main rules:
n Communication is key — listening was
the most important skill
n Stevie Wonder is a musical genius
Hours were spent ingraining those lessons
into the boys’ brains.
The boys would announce — or yell
— screens, switches and defensive assign-
ments over “Sir Duke” and “Signed, Sealed,
Delivered.”
“You have to know who you are defend-
ing and who the other guys are defending,”
Shanahan said. “That’s a basic, fundamental
thing.”
Shanahan’s influence extended through
their early years. As the boys improved,
they played on the Amateur Athletic Union
(AAU) circuit. They grew up together.
Maquoketa Activities Director Tom
Gruenwald — in addition to Hartman —
credits Bob Shanahan for helping the players
learn the game.
“I think when you find a group like this,
there’s usually a guy behind them like Bob
Shanahan,” Gruenwald said. “They got start-
ed on the ground floor early, and he did a
great job of teaching them the game.”
Shanahan’s ability to coach the funda-
mentals — dribbling, blocking shots, etc.
— allowed Hartman to begin developing a
system to fit their strengths.
“He deserves a lot of credit for building
their habits,” Hartman said. “Once I got this
group there wasn’t a whole lot of things I
had to correct or change. He deserves a lot
of credit.”
COACHING | PAGE 5

f o r o u r C a r d s ! We’ve got spirit,

Rooting Awesome Season!! YES WE DO!
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2018-19 MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASKETBALL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

 maqnews.com | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 5

COACHING THE CARDINALS

Lining the
bench are
12th-grade
Cardinals
A.J. Becker,
Macklin
Shanahan,
Nathan Watters,
Kane Kopp and
Nicholas Ehlinger.
The team finished
its senior season
20-3, the best
Maquoketa has
seen in quite a
few years.

Contributed photo

Seniors crank it up for last season

Continued from page 4 spring. That’s an area where Bob Shanahan how you play. It was a huge psychological
On top of fundamentals, the boys learned fit in. advantage. We can tell the kids have gotten
defensive intensity under Shanahan’s tute- “I think it’s important, because when you bigger and faster and stronger.”
lage. Hartman said that, during practices, if get a limited time with [the players], we can
only do so much with them,” Hartman said. Building relationships
the defense was lackluster, Shanahan would Training together also built relationships
make players put the ball at half court and “Once the season is over we don’t get them
until summer. So, if they’re working but amongst the players and coaches.
they’d only play defense. Hartman said that’s important to a team’s
don’t have a true plan it can be detrimental.
To that end, in 2018-19 the Cardinals success.
Not only are we working hard, but we need
allowed opponents to score 60 points or “We spent a lot of time outside the court
to work smart. Bob was great with that.”
more only three times. getting to know each other,” he said. “That’s
The summer practice schedule is not con-
Hartman credits the thing I will miss the most about these
sistent. Yet, Shanahan said the boys deserve
Kopp for evolving guys. All of them were great kids. They had
credit for continuing their workouts in the
into a plus defender. year’s warmest months. such an impact on my life, not just coaching
“When he first “Nobody was watching, and nobody knew but personally as well.”
started playing varsi- what they are doing. But they were going to Hartman said getting to know the athletes
“Nobody was ty he was a shooter. the weight room or shooting or working on on a personal level helped him understand
He spread the floor dribbling drills,” Shanahan said. “Sometimes
watching, and what their skills — as well as limitations —
nobody knew what and opened up things they organized and did them together. were on the court.
for other guys. The Nobody made them go. They just did it.”
they are doing. “They knew I was sincere and I was trying
last two years he’s That practice consistency has translated
But they were to put them in the best position possible,”
going to the weight become more,” to the basketball court, where Macklin is, at Hartman said.
Hartman said. “He times, an extension of Hartman and what he
room or shooting Now that the season has come to a close,
plays with such great expects.
or working on
heart. He attacks
Photo by Brooke Taylor Hartman hopes those relationships don’t
dribbling drills. “He was so in-tune in the time we spent Coach Matt Hartman calls to his disappear. However, there’s little doubt the
everything with great together; he knew what I wanted. I didn’t
Sometimes they passion. He’s one of players to execute a play during the team’s impact on the community will be
organized and did have to relay a lot of messages,” Hartman final game of the 2018-19 season. felt for years to come. He said one season
those guys who is said.
them together. going to fight every like 2018-19 can steer a program into a new
Nobody made In a competitive setting, when the going in practices that he was one of our better dimension.
second on the floor. gets tough, a player-coach relationship is players and he could become a special
them go. They just He’s usually the “[Younger] kids were excited about bas-
key. player.”
did it.” smallest guy on the ketball,” Hartman said. “Not only were there
“I think that’s vitally important. We only The team’s success also cannot be dis-
floor and that didn’t kids coming to games, but adults, too. Young
— Bob Shanahan get five timeouts a game, and it’s not like cussed without considering Colton Feller’s
bother him. He was football where we can call a huddle after kids were coming up to Macklin,
impact. The Maquoketa strength and condi-
willing to get after each play. There are a lot of live-action deci- tioning coach was hired in 2016 to imple- A. J., Kane, and Nathan and all of [their
it. This year he took a huge stride in his sions that need to be made, and to have that ment workout regimens throughout all ath- teammates] to get autographs after games.
defense putting pressure on other people’s relationship with a point guard is phenome- letic programs. “[The players] rejuvenated some kids, and
guards.” nal. I can put trust in him.” Gruenwald said he knew Feller’s impact became their heroes. Those [younger] kids
Macklin Shanahan’s play is also reflective And Becker’s shooting prowess can be wouldn’t be noticed immediately, but it can picture themselves being a part of a win-
of that defensive prioritization; he was third partially credited to his devotion to putting began to trickle into practices and then into ning team.”
in the WaMaC with 26 blocked shots this up shots in the summer. games. “The young kids who showed up to our
season despite not playing a post position on “I saw the potential in him,” Hartman “I think you really saw that payoff,” basketball games and sat behind that bench
defense. said of the 2016 verion of A.J. Becker. “He Gruenwald said. “We knew it was going to are incredible,” Gruenwald said. “I’m not
The team’s attitude, and culture, can be could obviously shoot the ball with the best take a little while.” sure I’ve seen a basketball team have that
attributed to practicing all year round. Per of them … his range is unlimited. I’ve never “We made a lot of gains athletically,” kind of impact on our elementary kids. It
Iowa high school rules, Hartman cannot seen a high school kid with his range and Hartman said. “We got stronger and quicker shows what kind of people they are. They
coach the team in any capacity in the fall or accuracy. But, I saw other areas of his game and in better shape. That has a lot to do with had time for all those kids.”

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2018-19 MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASKETBALL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

6 SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | maqnews.com

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 maqnews.com | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 7

Congrats, Cardinals! You’ve given your fans

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8 SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | maqnews.com
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
A.J.
BECKER
Age: 18
Grade: Senior
Parents: Darci and Kary Becker
Playing position: Guard
When did you start playing
basketball? How old were you?
I probably started playing when I was 3 or 4.
But I started traveling ball in 4th grade.
What are your first memories
of the game? My first memories of the
game go back to me playing on my “Little
Tikes” hoop in my basement every day.
What were your expectations
going into the 2018-19 season?
My expectations were to make it to state.
I thought we would be good.
What is your highlight of the
season and why? My highlight of
the season was cutting down the nets and
seeing so much of the community at all our
games, especially the DeWitt ones.
What were the keys to the
Cardinals’ success this season?
The keys were our defense, chemistry, and
all the hard work and time put in over the
years.
Will you play basketball after
high school? I plan on playing college
basketball somewhere, not sure where yet.
What lessons have you learned
playing basketball? I have learned the
lessons of hard work, determination, staying
humble, being respectful, practice, etc.
What is your advice to that kid
all alone on the playground who
keeps shooting the basketball
and missing? It’s okay, it may be tough
now but just keep working on it little by little. It
won’t be an easy path, but it will be worth it.
What word(s) sums up the 2018-
19 season? Magical.
2018-19 MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASKETBALL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION
WEEK OF DEC. 5, 2018
Kane Kopp, center, clears two Independence defenders as he dribbles the ball down the court. Standing by him
are teammates Macklin Shanahan and A.J. Becker.
Cardinal basketball teams
earn 3-0 records
Becker, Shanahan
lead team in scoring
By HARV HANSEN
Sports Editor
hhansen@mspress.net
VINTON-SHELLSBURG — Both
Maquoketa Cardinals boys and girls
basketball teams started the young sea-
son with 3-0 records.
That has not happened since the girls
started playing full-court, 5-on-5 bas-
ketball in 1985, or at least as far back
as 1980, according to Jack Marlowe,
Maquoketa sports historian.
Friday night the boys hosted
Independence in their home opener.
The Cardinals started slow, turning over
the ball on the first two possessions
while Indy made its first two shots to
lead 4-0.
But once the Cardinals got going they
never let up, outscoring the Mustangs
19-11 in the first quarter and never
looking back.
Macklin Shanahan recorded a dou-
ble-double by grabbing 11 rebounds
along with his 13 points.
The Cardinals had a quick turn-
around, playing Saturday afternoon at
Davenport West. Maquoketa played a
boys and girls quad Dec. 1 with the JV
girls starting it off at noon followed by
the JV boys and both varsity teams.
A.J. Becker scored 20 points
Saturday afternoon. Caiden Atienza had
18 and Shanahan chipped in 12 points.
Both teams played tough man-to-
man defense all night. The Cardinals
were 31-38 for 81.6 percent at the free
throw line. Davenport West pressured
full court, forcing 21 Cardinals turn-
overs to West’s 23. West scored 16
points off turnovers.
West committed 27 fouls compared
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Macklin Shanahan prepares to go
up for two points inside the paint.
to the Cardinals’ 13. The Cardinals
recorded 17 assists on 22 made baskets.
The Cardinals next play Friday at
South Tama and Dec. 11 at home vs.
Mount Vernon.
Maquoketa 67
Vinton-Shellsburg 42
M (1-0) 18 9 29 11—67
V (0-1) 4 11 13 14—42
Points — A.J. Becker 19; Macklin
Shanahan 13; Connor Becker 9; Kane
Kopp 8; Nicholas Ehlinger 7; Caiden
Atienza 6; Nathan Watters 3; Clayton Widel
2. Rebounds — Shanahan 7; Watters
6; Atienza 4; Widel 4; Kopp 3; A. Becker
3; Ehlinger 2; Assists — A. Becker 5;
Shanahan 4; Kopp 4; C. Becker 2; Atienza
1; Chase Gruenwald 1. Steals — A. Becker
4; Shanahan 3; Ehlinger 3; C. Becker 2;
Kopp 1. Blocks — Shanahan 2; Atienza 1;
It’s been a Proud of our Cardinal athletes!
privilege
watching
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Congrats! Maquoketa: 918 W. Platt St. 652-5145 | Preston: 411 W. White St. 689-3201
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Photos by Harv Hansen
Connor Becker snags a rebound
early in the Cardinal season.
Widel 1. FG — 25-55. FT — 8-15. 3PT—
9-26
Maquoketa 75
Independence 53
(At Maquoketa Nov. 30)
Ind. (0-2) 11 17 6 19—53
Maq. (2-0) 19 25 12 19—75
Points — A.J. Becker 24; Macklin
Shanahan14; Kane Kopp 8; Connor Becker
7; Nathan Watters 7; Caiden Atienza 5;
Nicholas Ehlinger 4; Clayton Widel 4; James
Linden 2. Rebounds — Shanahan 11; A.
Becker 6; Watters 6; C. Becker 5; Ehlinger
5; Atienza 4; Widel 4; Koop 3; Linden 1;
Kaiden Scott 1. Assists — Shanahan 7;
Kopp 2; Ehlinger 2; C. Becker. Steals —
Shanahan 2; A. Becker 2; C. Becker 1.
Blocks — C. Becker 1. FG — 26-53. FT —
17-24. 3PT —6-21
Maquoketa 78
Davenport West 58
(Davenport West Dec. 1)
M (3-0) 16 19 16 27 — 78
D (0-1) 14 11 7 26 — 58
Points — A.J. Becker 20; Caiden Atienza
18; Kane Kopp 13; Macklin Shanahan
12; Connor Becker 7; Nathan Watters
6; Nicholas Ehlinger 2. Rebounds —
Shanahan 10; Watters 7; Atienza 6;
Ehlinger 5; A. Becker 4; C. Becker 1.
Assists — Shanahan 6; Kopp 3; A. Becker
3; Watters 3; C. Becker 2. Steals — Kopp
4; Shanahan 3; C. Becker 1; Ehlinger 1.
Blocks — Shanahan 2. FG — 22-41. FT —
31-38. 3PT — 3-11.
THANK YOU
for an exciting season.
We loved rooting for you!
Dana, Duane, Taylan,
Aubrey and Marcus Howell

Undefeated Cardinals snag
No. 2 Class 3A ranking
5-0 season start is
best since 1978-79
By HARV HANSEN
Sports Editor
hhansen@mspress.net
It’s been a few years — 39, actually
— since the Maquoketa Cardinals boys
basketball team was ranked in the top
10 and since the team held an unbeaten
record early in the year.
But the Cards continued their win-
ning ways last week, notching two
more wins to keep their record perfect
at 5-0 in the young season.
As a result, Coach Matt Hartman
and the Cardinals find themselves
ranked second in Class 3A, accord-
ing to the Iowa Associated Press,
ahead of WaMaC Conference foe West
Delaware, which is ranked fifth.
Maquoketa’s coaches said they
couldn’t pinpoint any specific reason
for the team’s success so far this year
but noted that many of the teammates
have been playing together since they
were at least in middle school.
Hartman said his players gained a lot
of experience playing together during
tournaments against 4A schools over
the summer.
A new offensive strategy is also
getting the ball in the hands of mul-
tiple players, the coach said. Back in
1979-80, the Cardinals started the year
8-0; that was the best start in Cardinals
history since the 1962-63 season and
one of the highest-ranked teams in
Cardinals history. The 1978-79 team
was ranked No. 1; that team lost the
first game of the year, then won 19
straight before losing to DeWitt in the
district finals.
Back to the 2018-19 Cardinals, A.J.
Becker leads the team in scoring aver-
age with 22.8 points a game, shooting
60 percent from the field (30-50), and
57 percent from the three-point line.
Becker also shoots free throws at a
high success rate, going 15-17 for 88.2
percent.
A point guard rarely leads the team in
rebounds, but that’s the case for Macklin
Shanahan. He notched 33 rebounds for
about 8.3 a game. Shanahan also aver-
ages 12.5 points, second-highest on the
team. He leads the team in the rest of
the major categories, too: 23 assists, 11
steals, and five blocks. One category
Shanahan doesn’t want to lead is turn-
overs. He has 19 on the season.
But the ball is almost always in his
hands as he brings the ball up when
opponents try to press.
Hartman and the Cardinals encour-
®
Licensed Real Estate Broker • 18066 Highway 64 • Maquoketa, IA • Email: tiffany@tiffanymangler.com • Call Tiffany Mangler, Cell 319-721-2245
SLAM DUNK
SEASON!
You’re an inspiration to all
the young athletes out there.
BE PROUD.
• Deb, Joel and Tanner Swanson •
2018-19 MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASKETBALL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION
WEEK OF DEC. 12, 2018
Photos by Harv Hansen and Brooke Taylor
(Top) Nicholas Ehlinger applauds a play from the sideline along with
teammates and coach Brian Aunan. (Above left) Nathan Watters
attempts a free throw. (Above right) Alana Barker and teammates
perform a routine at halftime for the hometown crowd.
age the fans to cheer on the class 3A
No. 2-ranked Maquoketa Cardinals,
who will battle a tough schedule head-
ing into Christmas break and the new
year.
This Cardinals team played Mount
Vernon at home Tuesday, then will
take on the undefeated Marion Indians
Friday, Dec. 14. The Maquoketa boys
play No. 5 West Delaware (5-0) at
Manchester Dec. 12, then finish up
the year at home against Dyersville
Beckman Friday, Dec. 21.
(At Maquoketa Dec. 4)
Maquoketa 66
Center Point-Urbana 56
C (1-2) 10 14 15 17—56
M (4-0) 18 15 19 14—66
Points — A.J. Becker 28; Connor Becker
13; Macklin Shanahan 11; Kane Kopp 5;
Nathan Watters 4; Nicholas Ehlinger 3;
Great season,
Cardinals!
YOU’VE MADE YOUR COMMUNITY SO PROUD!
maqnews.com | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019
Caiden Atienza 2. Rebounds — A. Becker
7; Atienza 6; Kopp 5; Shanahan 5; Watters
4; Ehlinger 3. Assists — Shanahan 6; A.
Becker 3; Kopp 2; C. Becker 1; Ehlinger 1;
Atienza 1; Watters.1. Steals — Shanahan
3; Kopp 1; Atienza 1; Watters 1. Blocks —
Shanahan 1; Atienza 1. FG — 25-45. FT —
7-11. 3PT — 9-19. 
(At South Tama Dec. 7)
Maquoketa 78
South Tama 46
Maq. (5-0) 20 20 15 23—78
Tama (0-5) 14 11 8 13—46
Points — A.J. Becker 33; Kane Kopp 20;
Clayton Widel 8; Nathan Watters 7; Macklin
Shanahan 4; Connor Becker 3; Caiden
Atienza 3. Rebounds — Shanahan 7;
Kopp 6; Watters 5; Widel 4; A. Becker 2; C.
Becker 1. Assists — Shanahan 7; Kopp 3;
A. Becker 3; Watters 2; C. Becker 1; Kaiden
Scott 1. Steals — Kopp 2; C. Becker 1;
Ehlinger 1; Shanahan 1; A. Becker 1;
Watters 1. Blocks — Widel 1. FG 25-21. FT
— 16-20. 3PT — 12-30.
CONGRAT
S!
to all Cardinal
players and
Emmett Sheets
From all of your fans at
Sheets General Construction
9
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
NICHOLAS
EHLINGER
Age: 18
Grade: Senior
Parents: Lynn and Sharon
Playing position: Guard
When did you start playing
basketball? How old were you?
I started playing on the “Red Dogs” travel
team in the 3rd grade with Coach Bob
Shanahan. He taught us the fundamentals,
helped us have fun while learning,
encouraged us when we didn’t believe we
could win, and helped us respect the game.
What are your first memories of
the game? We learned to play together,
win and lose together as a team. Most times
whether we won or lost, we celebrated the
improvements in our game, successful plays,
and helped each other grow as ball players.
What were your expectations
going into the 2018-19 season?
In the preseason, we set out to work hard,
we learned to be unselfish as teammates,
and to respect each of our roles on the court.
What is your highlight of the
season and why?
Winning the WaMaC conference title.
What were the keys to the
Cardinals’ success this season?
We work hard in the off-season, we push
each other to do better individually, and to
motivate each other. We were fortunate
and grateful to have Coach Hartman help us
develop our game, he believed in each of us,
and helped us prepare not only physically
but mentally to be the best that we could be.
Throughout the season we were able to rally
a renewed sense of community support and
improved Cardinal spirit.
What lessons have you learned
playing basketball? It was great to
celebrate not only the wins with this team, we
also learned from and supported each other
after the losses.
What is your advice to that kid
all alone on the playground who
keeps shooting the basketball
and missing? Believe in yourself, try
harder and work harder than the others.
What word(s) sums up the 2018-
19 season? Family.
10 SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | maqnews.com

WEEK OF DEC. 19-26, 2018

Boys keep winning streak alive

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
QUENTYN

HUEBBE
Age: 18
Grade: Senior
Parents: Rhonda and Lynn Huebbe
Position: Center
When did you start playing
basketball? How old were you?
Started playing 8th grade year,
13 years old.
What are your first
memories of the game?
Playing on B-team.
What were your expectations
going into the 2018-19 season?
Being one of the best teams in the
conference.
What is your highlight
of the season and why?
Beating DeWitt three times because
they are our rivals.
What were the keys to the
Cardinals’ success this season?
Hard work and teamwork.
Will you play basketball
after high school? No, I will not.
What lessons have you
learned playing basketball?
If you play as a team you will go far.
What is your advice to that kid
all alone on the playground who
keeps shooting the basketball
and missing? “You miss 100% of the
shots you don’t take.”
What word(s) sums up the 2018-
19 season? Memorable.
By HARV HANSEN
Sports Editor
hhansen@mspress.net
The Maquoketa boys basketball team
kept their winning ways last week,
extending their winning streak to seven
games.
Maquoketa outlasted a Mount Vernon
team that pushed the Cardinals to a
hard-fought game, but the Cardinals
pulled away in the fourth quarter.
That win set up a showdown with
the third-ranked Marion Indians
Friday, Dec. 14, at Maquoketa. With
the two highly ranked teams, the lead
bounced back and forth in the first
half. Just before half, A.J. Becker hit
a three-pointer at the horn to give the
Cardinals a six-point lead at halftime.
After half Kane Kopp nailed a
three-pointer to open up a nine-point
lead and the Cardinals never looked
back, coming away with a 61-44 win.
The Cardinals used a harassing
defense to keep the Indians off bal-
ance all night. Kopp drew the assign-
ment of guarding Marion’s top scorer, Photos by Nick Joos
Will Henrickson. Henrickson averages (Above left) Kane Kopp is airbound as he prepares to sink a layup.
22 points a game, shooting 60.7 per-
(Above right) Caiden Atienza works hard under the hoop to secure the
cent from the field and 60.9 percent ball and keep it in the Cardinals’ possession.
from three-point land. Kopp limited
Henrickson to just 12 points on 3-11 1. Assists — Shanahan 13; A. Becker A. J. Becker once again led the
from the floor and 0-4 from the three- 3; Ehlinger 1. Steals — Shanahan 3; C. Cardinals in scoring with 14 points,
point line. Becker 2; Kopp 1; A. Becker 1. Blocks —
Macklin Shanahan contributed 11, and
Shanahan 3. FG — 17-45. FT — 10-16.
Marion coach Mike Manderscheid 3PT — 7-24. Kane Kopp chipped in 9.
said he thought the third quarter made Shanahan struggled at the free throw
the difference in the game as the Indians Maquoketa 61 line Tuesday night, shooting just 3-8.
missed four or five shots at the rim. Marion 44 He was 0-4 in the first quarter, but 2-2
“You give us those 10 points and it’s in the fourth.
a different game,” Manderscheid said. (At Maquoketa Dec. 14)
West Delaware leading scorer Derek
Manderscheid also said his team Mar. (5-1) 12 9 8 15 — 44
Krogman, who averages 21.8 points
Maq (7-0) 14 13 13 21 — 61
almost always shoots a very low per- Points — A. J. Becker 26; Kane Kopp per game, was held to a team-high 15
centage in Maquoketa’s gym. 12; Connor Becker 11; Nathan Watters 6; points, while Kyle Kelley shot a perfect
Maquoketa coach Matt Hartman said Nicholas Ehlinger 3; Macklin Shanahan 2; 7-7 at the line for the Hawks.
he was proud of his team’s defense and Caiden Atienza 1. Rebounds — Watters The Cardinals took control of the
the way they play together every game, 9; Shanahan 6; Atienza 5; Kopp 4; C.
game in the second quarter. Their
Becker 3; A. Becker 3; Ehlinger 2; Kaiden
with nobody trying to do too much. He Scott 1. Assists — A. Becker 5; Kopp 4; smothering defense held the Hawks
really loves the unselfish play of his Shanahan 4; C. Becker 1; Atienza 1. Steals scoreless for the last six minutes of
squad, Hartman said. — Shanahan 3; C Becker 2; A. Becker 2. the second quarter and the first five
Becker led the Cardinals in scoring Blocks — Shanahan 1; Kopp 1. FG — minutes of the third quarter — a scor-
with 26 points. Kane Kopp chipped in 19-48. FT — 15-20. 3PT — 8-26.
ing drought of more than 11 minutes
12 while Connor Becker had 11; all 11 — which helped the Cardinals build
of Connor’s points came in the fourth
quarter. Nathan Watters grabbed nine Cardinals a 10-point advantage headed into the
fourth quarter.

rebounds to lead the way on the boards.
Maquoketa has two games left before
Christmas break and the new year. The
team will be on the road Tuesday, Dec.
18, at fourth-ranked West Delaware,
then return home Friday, Dec. 21
against Dyersville Beckman.
Maquoketa 51
Mount Vernon 44
(At Maquoketa Dec. 11)
Mt. V. (2-3) 9 13 8 14—44
Maq (6-0) 13 11 12 15—51
Points — Kane Kopp 11; Connor Becker
10; Macklin Shanahan 9; A.J. Becker
8; Caiden Atienza 7; Nathan Watters 4;
Clayton Widel 2. Rebounds — Shanahan
13; Atienza 5; Watters 5; A. Becker 4; Kopp
1; C. Becker 1; Widel 1; Nicholas Ehlinger
defense stifles
The Hawks cut the lead to just two
points with 2 minutes to go. But, the
West Delaware
Cardinals defense returned and held the
Hawks scoreless the last two minutes to
hold on to the 40-35 win.
By HARV HANSEN Maquoketa 40
Sports Editor West Delaware 35
hhansen@mspress.net
M (8-0) 9 11 10 10—40
MANCHESTER — The Maquoketa W (6-1) 8 4 8 15—35
boys basketball team traveled to Points — A. J. Becker 14; Macklin
Shanahan 11; Kane Kopp 9; Caiden Atienza
Manchester Dec. 18 for another tough 3; Nathan Watters 3. Rebounds —Atienza
early-season contest against West 3; A. Becker 3; Shanahan 8; Watters 8;
Delaware. Nicholas Ehlinger 2. Assists — Shanahan
And for the second game in a row, the 4; Kane Kopp 1; Watters 2; Ehlinger 2.
Steals — Shanahan 1; Kopp 4; A. Becker 2;
Cardinals came away victorious against Atienza 2; Watters 1. Blocks — Shanahan
a third-ranked team. They defeated 4; Kopp 1; Clayton Widel 1. FG — 15-43.
Marion Dec. 14. FT — 6-18. 3PT — 4-17.

YOU’RE A CUT ABOVE THE REST!

Congrats on a phenomenal season!!
WAY TO GO, CARDINALS!
Till’s Construction, LC
Maquoketa, IA • 563-249-4579

301 N Main St, Maquoketa 652-2240

Congratulations, Cards
On Your
Fantastic Season!!!
Scott Spalding VOY 3 61 DRIVE-IN
563-357-6243
101 Westgate Drive, Maquoketa
MaquoketaHomes.com
THEATRES THEATRE
Downtown Maquoketa Maquoketa

2018-19 MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASKETBALL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

 maqnews.com | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 11

WEEK OF JAN. 2-9, 2019

Cardinal boys
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
KANE

clinch No. 1 spot

By HARV HANSEN could handle Friday night, Jan. 4, in
KOPP
Age: 18
Grade: Senior
Parents: Jenny Wisco, Danny Riniker
Sports Editor front of a full house in the Cardinals
hhansen@mspress.net and John Kopp
gym. Position: Guard
The Maquoketa Cardinals boys bas- Macklin Shanahan got the loud and
ketball team reached a milestone over enthusiastic crowd on their feet from
When did you start playing
Christmas break, earning the No. 1 the start, grabbing the opening tip and
basketball? How old were you?
ranking in class 3A. racing in for a layup in
Coach Matt Hartman When I was 5 at the YMCA.
the first two seconds of the
said the high ranking is a contest. What are your first
blessing. However, it also The Cardinals continued memories of the game?
puts a target on the team’s the fast start, taking a 21-9 Playing competitively in 3rd grade
back because all opponents lead at the end of the first with the Red Dogs.
want to knock the top team “It is awesome quarter.
off its perch, he explained. for the fans, Maquoketa scored quick- What were your expectations
“It is awesome for the community, and ly at the top of the second going into the 2018-19 season?
fans, community, and rewards the quarter, forcing the Bobcats To work hard every day to be better.
rewards the boys for all their boys for all their to call a timeout in the first
dedication and hard work dedication and hard 38 seconds to slow the What is your highlight
this summer,” Hartman work this summer.” Cardinals’ momentum. of the season and why?
said, but as a coach he does Both teams were in foul Beating DeWitt all 3 times, and winning
not bring it up at practice or — Coach Hartman trouble most of the game; the WaMaC.
any other time. the Cardinals were whistled
Hartman said he does not for 22 fouls, the Bobcats What were the keys to the
want his players to think about rank- 20 fouls. Cardinals’ success this season?
ings. He wants them to go out and play With the score tied at 52-52 with We worked hard in the off-season, and
hard every game and continue to do just over 2 minutes left in the third, getting a ton of shots in this summer.
what they do best. Kane Kopp scored eight points for the
Will you play basketball
Maquoketa defends its No. 1 ranking Cardinals on two three-pointers and a after high school?
at home Friday against Benton. The steal and break-away layup to end the
If so, where and why?
Cardinals then play the Central DeWitt quarter leading 60-54.
With 4:11 to go in the contest, the No answer.
Sabers at home Tuesday, Jan. 8, which
is also the night of the 10th annual cake Bobcats called another timeout trailing What lessons have you
auction at Maquoketa High School. by only two 62-60. Shanahan came learned playing basketball?
back in the game with four fouls. It took I’ve learned to never give up,
Maquoketa 49 Shanahan just 50 seconds to pick up his
Photos by Harv Hansen
Dyersville Beckman 37 A.J. Becker jumps to get clearance and to just play at what you do best.
fifth foul, disqualifying him for the last
(At Maquoketa Dec. 21)
3:21 minutes of the game. for a shot over a Benton player. What is your advice to that
B (6-3) 13 8 10 6 — 37 The Cardinals made enough free
M (9-0) 16 10 20 3 — 49 kid all alone on the playground
Points — Macklin Shanahan 20; A. J. throws to push them to a 72-67 victory. who keeps shooting the
Becker 14; Kane Kopp 8; Nicholas Ehlinger Four Cardinal players scored in dou- basketball and missing?
5; Nathan Watters 2. Rebounds — ble figures, with Shanahan leading the To never give up and keep practicing so
Shanahan 8; Watters 6; Caiden Atienza 6; way with 16, Kopp adding 15, Connor you can be on the floor during the high
A. Becker 3; Kopp 3; Ehlinger 1; Connor Becker with 12, and A. J. Becker with school years. Just keep working hard.
Becker 1; Clayton Widel 1. Assists — A.
Becker 3; Kopp 2; Shanahan 2; C. Becker 10. Caiden Atienza added nine points
1. Steals — A. Becker 3; Kopp 2; Shanahan for a balanced attack.
The Cardinals could not stop
What word(s) sums
2; Ehlinger 1; Watters 1. Blocks — Kopp
1; Shanahan 1. FG — 19-48. FT — 6-12 Benton’s Nathan Michels as he poured up the 2018-19 season?
3PT — 5-15 in 38 points, shooting 4-9 from three- Unforgettable, teamwork,
point range and 10-13 free throws. dedication, love, family, trust.

Cardinal boys eke Maquoketa basketball teams have a

busy week, traveling to Solon Friday

out win, remain

night then to Clinton Saturday.
Maquoketa 72

undefeated
Benton 67
By HARV HANSEN
Sports Editor
hhansen@mspress.net
Maquoketa Cardinals boys basket-
ball team found out it is going to be
hard to keep the No. 1 ranking in class
3A.
The 4-6 Benton Community Bobcats
gave the undefeated Cardinals all they
B (4-6) 9 18 27 13—67
M (10-0) 21 14 25 12—72
Points — Macklin Shanahan 16; Kane
Kopp 15; Connor Becker 12; A. J. Becker
10; Caiden Atienza 9; Nicholas Ehlinger
7; Nathan Watters 2; Clayton Widel 1.
Rebounds — Atienza 11; A. Becker 6; C.
Becker 5; Shanahan 4; Watters 2; Kopp
1. Assists — C. Becker 5; Shanahan 5;
Ehlinger 2. Steals — Shanahan 3; Kopp
2; C. Becker 1; Ehlinger 1. Blocks — A.
Becker 1 FG — 27-51. FT — 13-22. 3PT Connor Becker eyes his teammates
— 5-19. while looking to connect for points.

KANE —
Your senior year is turning out to be just as amazing as you are.
Congrats on the
great season,
We've had such a great time watching you play!
We're very proud of all the accomplishments you've achieved. Kane!
Love, Grandpa Joe, Grandma Debbie, You make me so proud!
Matt, Christina and baby Miles Love your dad, JJ

Kennedy-Gilmore Celebrate CONGRATS ON A

Realty the season, SMOKIN’

563-652-6474
boys!
You’ve earned it!
hlhafner@msn.com
HOT
SEASON!
563-590-5139 ®
www.realtor.com

2018-19 MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASKETBALL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

12 SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | maqnews.com
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
JAMES
LINDEN
Age: 18
Grade: Senior
Parents: John and Paula Linden
Position: Center
When did you start playing
basketball? How old were you?
7th grade, 13.
What are your first
memories of the game?
Learning the fundamentals.
What were your expectations
going into the 2018-19 season?
Improve over last season.
What is your highlight
of the season and why?
Beating DeWitt in the second round. It
was just a fun game to be a part of.
What were the keys to the
Cardinals’ success this season?
Hard work and not losing focus.
Will you play basketball
after high school?
If so, where and why?
No.
What lessons have you
learned playing basketball?
Nothing beats hard work.
What is your advice to that
kid all alone on the playground
who keeps shooting the
basketball and missing?
Shooters keep shooting.
What word(s) sums
up the 2018-19 season?
Unforgettable.
2018-19 MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASKETBALL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION
WEEK OF JAN. 16-23, 2019
Cardinal boys remain undefeated
By HARV HANSEN
Sports Editor
hhansen@mspress.net
Maquoketa Cardinals boys basket-
ball had a busy week, with games
Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights.
The combination of undefeated
Cardinals, rival Central DeWitt Sabers,
and the annual cake auction brought
more than 1,600 people to Maquoketa
High School gym Jan. 8.
Senior leadership kept the team
focused as they raced out to a quick
6-2 lead, forcing the Sabers to call an
early time out with 4:28 left in the first
quarter. The lead swelled to 11-2 with
3:22 left in the first.
But the pesky Sabers would not go
away, clawing back to trail by seven
at the half.
The Cardinals pulled away from the
Sabers, scoring 48 in the second half to
an 81-64 victory.
Coach Matt Hartman said the game
plan was to get to the paint to open
the outside and keep the Sabers from
trying to slow down A. J. Becker.
Macklin Shanahan executed the plan,
driving to the paint time and again,
scoring 13 points in the first half
on four baskets and 5-7 free throws.
Shanahan finished the game with 18
points.
Kane Kopp led the Cardinals in
scoring, pouring in a season-high 21
points. A. J. Becker also chipped in
16. Connor Becker scored 14 of his
15 points in the second half and was
8-8 at the free throw line in the fourth
quarter.
On Jan. 11 the Cardinals traveled to
Solon. The Cardinals made quick work
of the Spartans, defeating them 82-49.
The Cardinals completed the trifecta
on Saturday, pulling away from the
Clinton River Kings with a strong
fourth quarter, winning 63-49.
A. J. Becker tallied 29 points to lead
a trio of Cardinals in double figures.
Caiden Atienza added 12 while Connor
Becker recorded 11. The Cardinals
made a living at the free throw line this
week, going 71 for 92 or 77 percent in
three games.
The 13-0 Cardinals were scheduled
to play Mount Vernon for a boy-girl
varsity double header Tuesday, and
stay on the road Friday with a game
against Beckman.
Maquoketa 81
Central DeWitt 64
C (6-4) 12 14 16 22—64
M (11-0) 19 14 25 23—81
Points — Kane Kopp 21; Macklin Shanahan
18; A. J. Becker 16; Connor Becker 15;
Nicholas Ehlinger 5; Caiden Atienza 3;
Nathan Watters 2; Kannon Coakley 1.
Rebounds — Shanahan 9; Atienza 4; Kopp
2; C. Becker 2; A. Becker 2; Ehlinger 1;
Clayton Widel 1. Assists — Shanahan 7;
A. Becker 3; Kopp 1; C. Becker 1; Ehlinger
1; Atienza 1. Steals — Kopp 2; C. Becker
1; Coakley 1. Blocks — none. FG — 23-37
FT — 26-35. 3PT — 9-17.  challenge Jan. 15.
Great season, Cardinals!
BURBS to BOONIES
GIFT SHOP
563-219-5349 • tempodancemaq@gmail.com • 10835 Hwy. 64, Maquoketa
Maquoketa 82
Solon 49
M (12-0) 19 16 27 20—82
S (4-6) 7 10 18 14—49
Points — A.J. Becker 22; Nicholas Ehlinger
16; Caiden Atienza 11; Connor Becker 10;
Macklin Shanahan 9; Kane Kopp 5; Clayton
Widel 3; Kannon Coakley 3; Nathan Watters
3. Rebounds — Atienza 11; A. Becker 6;
Shanahan 5; Kopp 5; C. Becker 4; Widel
3; James Linden 2; Ehlinger 1; Coakley 1;
Watters 1; Quentyn Huebbe 1. Assists —
Kopp 4; Shanahan 4; C. Becker 2; Ehlinger
2; A. Becker 2; Widel 1. Steals — Kopp 1;
Ehlinger 1; Atienza 1. Blocks — Widel 2;
Shanahan 1. FG — 22-47. FT — 28-37.
3PT — 10-26
Maquoketa 63
Clinton 49
M (13-0) 13 14 11 25—63
C (2-9) 7 13 13 16—49
Points — A.J. Becker 29; Caiden Atienza
12; Connor Becker 11; Kane Kopp 9;
Shanahan 2 Rebounds — Atienza 8; C.
Becker 3; A. Becker 3; Nathan Watters 3;
Kopp 2; Shanahan 2; Ehlinger 1. Assists
— Shanahan 4; C. Becker 3; A. Becker 3;
Nicholas Ehlinger 2; Kopp 1. Steals — C.
Becker 2; Kopp 1; Ehlinger 1; Shanahan 1;
Atienza 1. Blocks — none FG — 20-38. FT
— 17-20. 3PT — 6-10.
Cardinal boys
keep streak alive
By HARV HANSEN
Sports Editor
hhansen@mspress.net
MOUNT VERNON — The
Maquoketa Cardinals boys basketball
team kept its undefeated streak intact,
coming away with a convincing victory
over the Mount Vernon Mustangs 67-39
in the Cardinals’ third consecutive road
Ultimate Chiropractic
Health Center
Physical and Sport Therapy Services
So proud of these talented athletes!
616 W. Platt St., Maquoketa • 652-4364 • Brent D. Pauls DC
What a
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Be proud!
Flooring & Carpentry
409 E. Platt St., Maquoketa, IA
Cell: 563-357-1208 • Office: 563-652-1162
(Above) Macklin
Shanahan laughs with his
buddies on the bench.
(Left) Maize Gardner
shows her baton talent in
a home game vs. Central
DeWitt.
Photos by Brooke Taylor
Connor Becker and cousin A.J.
Becker were kings of the court in
Mount Vernon, leading the Cardinals in
scoring with 18 points apiece. Connor
shot a sizzling 5-6 from three-point
land while A.J. connected 3-8 on
three-pointers.
Macklin Shanahan also scored in
double figures with 11. Shanahan
and Nicholas Ehlinger also netted
three-pointers for the Cardinals.
The Cardinals defense set the tone
for the night, holding the Mustangs to
three points in the first quarter, for a
commanding 17-3 lead. When halftime
rolled around, the Cardinals more than
doubled the Mustangs’ point total, lead-
ing 31-14.
A lob pass from Shanahan resulted in
Caiden Atienza’s first slam dunk of his
high school career.
On Friday Jan. 18, the Cardinals
were scheduled to travel to Dyersville
Beckman. The Cardinals won every
game on the hardwood to that point,
but lost to a more powerful foe, Mother
Nature, which brought snow and high
winds to postpone the game.
Maquoketa 67
Mount Vernon 39
Maq (14-0) 17 14 18 18—67
MV (4-8) 3 11 15 10—39
Points — A.J. Becker 18; Connor Becker
18; Macklin Shanahan 11; Kane Kopp
6; Caiden Atienza 5; Nathan Watters 4;
Nicholas Ehlinger 3; Chase Gruenwald
2. Rebounds — Atienza 9; Ehlinger 3;
Shanahan 3; A. Becker 3; Clayton Widel 3;
Watters 1; Kaiden Scott 1; James Linden 1;
Quentyn Huebbe 1. Assists — Shanahan
5; Ehlinger 3; A. Becker 3; Kopp 2; C.
Becker 1; Atienza 1. Steals — Ehlinger 2;
Atienza 2; Kopp 1; Shanahan 1; A. Becker
1. Blocks — Shanahan 1; Linden 1. FG —
23-49. FT — 11-18. 3PT — 10-23.
It’s been fun
following
your journey!
BE
PROUD!

Cardinals get first
defeat of the year
By HARV HANSEN
Sports Editor
hhansen@mspress.net
MARION — The Marion Indians
caught the Maquoketa Cardinals at a
good time and handed the team its first
loss of the year Jan. 25.
The winter weather has caused missed
school, missed practice, and missed
games. When they traveled to Marion
to take on the Indians Saturday, the
Cardinals last took the court for a game
Jan. 15; Marion’s last game was Jan.
12, and that affected play, according to
Marion coach Mike Manderscheid.
“It’s been a nightmare the last two
weeks with the weather and games
being cancelled,” Manderscheid said.
“[Players] have been able to practice
three or four times a week.”
That wasn’t the case for Maquoketa.
“[The players] have not practiced
since Monday [Jan. 21],” said Coach
Matt Hartmann, so that’s four days the
boys were not going through the regular
weekly routine.
Cardinals players showed their rust
early with turnovers, missed layups,
and wide-open jump shots in the first
half of Saturday’s game. The Indians
scored the first two points of the game,
then led wire to wire.
The Cardinals picked up the 10th
team foul with 4:31 left in the second
quarter, then more foul trouble with
Macklin Shanahan picking up his third
foul with 3:50 minutes left in the sec-
ond quarter down by 12.
After the Cardinals fell behind 39-19
with 5:43 left in the third quarter, the
players finally shook off the rust and
started a comeback, scoring the next
nine points to trail 39-28.
Shanahan scored a two-pointer with
1:05 left to cut the lead to 49-45, but the
Cardinals could not get any closer than
four and ended up losing 53-47. The
Cardinals shot 15-50 from the field and
5-25 from three-point land.
Marion’s focal point, Manderscheid
noted, “was to keep the ball out of
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WEEK OF JAN. 30 - FEB. 6, 2019
A. J. Becker’s hand and to keep the
Cardinals from driving to the basket,”
he said. “The Cardinals have too many
scorers to hold them down. We had to
pick our poison.”
Becker was held to nine points
The weather does not look good for
this week, which may affect this week’s
slate of games. The Cardinals were
scheduled to travel to DeWitt for a girl-
boy double header Tuesday and a home
make-up game with West Delaware
Thursday. They then travel to Clear
Creek-Amana on Friday.
Marion 53
Maquoketa 47
Maq. (14-1) 7 10 15 15—47
Mar. (9-4) 12 20 11 10—53
Points — Macklin Shanahan 12; Kane
Kopp 10; A.J. Becker 9; Connor Becker
5; Nicholas Ehlinger 4; Caiden Atienza 4;
Nathan Watters 3. Rebounds — Shanahan
10; Watters 6; Ehlinger 4; C. Becker 4;
Atienza 3; A. Becker 3; Kopp 1. Assists —
Shanahan 4; Kopp 2; C. Becker 2. Steals
— Kopp 3; Ehlinger 2; Shanahan 2; A.
Becker 2; C. Becker 1. Blocks — Shanahan
1. FG — 15-50. FT — 12-18. 3PT — 5-25.
Cards to play four
games in five days
By HARV HANSEN
Sports Editor
hhansen@mspress.net
TIFFIN — The Maquoketa Cardinals
boys basketball team got only one game
in last week, traveling to Tiffin Friday
night to take on the Clear Creek-Amana
Clippers.
The Cards got off to a slow start, still
trying to shake off the rust from missing
all the days of practice and games due
to near-record-cold temperatures and
multiple snowstorms. But this week the
opposition also had a slow start as the
Cardinals managed a 12-2 lead in the
first quarter.
Then the Cardinals put together a
strong second quarter to take a 34-17
halftime lead. The Clippers cut into the
Great teamwork! We’re proud of you!
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Photos by Buddy Atienza
Caiden Atienza finds a clear lane
to the hoop and goes for the shot.
lead, trailing by only six, but that is the
closest they could get. The Cardinals
regrouped to pull away for the 60-46
win.
Macklin Shanahan sparked the
offense, pouring in 20 points and grab-
bing 12 rebounds. Kane Kopp also
contributed 10 points. Caiden Atienza
was one point shy of a double-double,
adding nine points and grabbing 11
rebounds.
The boys have only five games left
to play as of press time Monday night.
Beginning Friday, the Cards play four
games in five days: playing Friday
and Saturday, taking Sunday off for
a day of rest, then right back to the
court Monday at DeWitt. The Cardinal
boys close the regular season at home
Tuesday, Feb. 12, against Solon.
Maquoketa 60
Clear Creek-Amana 46
M (15-1) 12 22 11 15—60
C (9-6) 2 15 13 16—46
Points — Macklin Shanahan 20; Kane
Kopp 10; Caiden Atienza 9; Connor Becker
7; A.J. Becker 5; Nathan Watters 4; Nicholas
Ehlinger 3; Clayton Widel 2. Rebounds —
Shanahan 12; Atienza 11; Kopp 5; A. Becker
3; Watters 3; Widel 2; Ehlinger 2; C. Becker
1. Assists — Shanahan 6; A. Becker 3;
Kopp 2; Watters 2; C. Becker 1; Ehlinger 1.
Steals — Kopp 2; Shanahan 1; Ehlinger 1;
A. Becker 1. Blocks — Shanahan 1. FG —
19-60. FT — 15-23. 3PT — 7-22. 
Proud to be the
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FM 95.1
MAQUOKETA
13
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
KAIDEN
SCOTT
Age: 18
Grade: Senior
Parents: Dale and Theresa Scott
Playing Position: Guard
When did you start playing
ball? How old were you? What
are your first memories of the
game? I first started playing when I was
12 years old back when I lived in Joplin, MO,
at the local parks playing pick-up games. My
first memories are being the small kid playing
against grown men and being scared to play.
What were your expectations
going into the 2018-19 season?
Best defensive team in the WaMaC. Win the
WaMaC. Get 1% better every day.
What were the keys to the
Cardinals success this season?
The keys to our success this season were
first off the commitment everybody gave to
every practice and game. Nothing was more
important than the drill or game in front of us.
Another key was chemistry as most
everybody has been playing with each other
since 3rd grade. Experience also helped with
going to play teams in Illinois and Wisconsin
in the summer so the chemistry and the
experience mixed very well.
Lastly, I believe our coaches put everyone
in a place to succeed and gave us their 110%
percent every day. They had every scout
done and watched over and over again. Our
coaches were our backbone and we knew
we could always look to them for anything.
Big thanks to Coach Hartman, Coach Aunan,
Coach Peterson, and Coach Jenkins.
Will I play basketball after high
school? Not organized basketball, but I’m
sure I will still play pickup games.
What lessons have you learned
playing basketball? I’ve learned how
to be disciplined and with this being my first
sport of the year and feeling the moment of
“I will never play basketball with the guys
again,” it has definitely made me think about
cherishing moments more and who I’m around
and take it as a privilege to play sports.
What is your advice to that kid
all alone on the playground who
keeps shooting the basketball
and missing? Confidence is key. If you
can’t even believe in yourself then you won’t
accomplish anything. Having confidence
after failure will do wonders for any athletes.
Failure sets you up for success. You can’t
learn to win without learning how to lose first.
What word(s) sums up the 2018-
2019 season? Hard work.
14 SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | maqnews.com
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
MACKLIN
SHANAHAN
Age: 18
Grade: Senior
Parents: Bob and Becky Shanahan
Position: Point guard
When did you start playing
basketball? How old were you?
I started playing in third grade.
What are your first memories of
the game? My first memory is going to
the first practice we had and Dad (our coach)
explain to us his two rules. The first was to
listen. The second was that Stevie Wonder
was a musical genius.
What were your expectations
going into the 2018-19 season?
Our expectations were high and we knew
that we could have a great season. Our goal
was to do things that haven’t been done in
Maquoketa in a long time.
What is your highlight of the
season and why? Climbing the
ladder to cut down the nets after we won
the conference championship because it
was a moment where we knew that we had
accomplished something special.
What were the keys to the
Cardinals’ success this season?
I think our success came from a combination
of things. We worked really hard since we
were kids for this year, we had a great group
of guys that loved to be around each other,
and had an unbelievable coaching staff.
Will you play basketball after
school? If so, where? Yes, undecided.
What lessons have you learned
playing basketball? Basketball has
taught me responsibility, teamwork, how to
handle adversity, and how to act off the court.
What is your advice to that
kid all alone on the playground
who keeps shooting the
basketball and missing? Don’t
let your last shot affect your next one, and
you’re doing everything right by putting time
into the game outside of practice. But most
importantly, ask A.J. because his always
seem to go in more than mine.
What word(s) sums
up the 2018-19 season?
Unforgettable.
2018-19 MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASKETBALL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION
WEEK OF FEB. 13, 2019
Cardinals celebrated their hard work earning them the WaMaC championship title this season. Each player got
to cut and keep a piece of the net lining the rim. Shown left to right are: Dan Dague, Nathan Watters, A.J. Becker,
Macklin Shanahan, Clayton Widel, Kane Kopp, Quentyn Huebbe, Nicholas Ehlinger, James Linden, Kaiden
Scott, Caiden Atienza, Connor Becker, Chase Gruenwald, Ben Wagner, Kannon Coakley, Emmett Sheets and
manager Sydney Clark.
Cardinals claim
WaMaC championship
By HARV HANSEN
Sports Editor
hhansen@mspress.net
The Maquoketa Cardinals boys got
three games in last week, starting
with a tough 61-55 loss at Dyersville
Beckman Feb. 4.
A. J. Becker and Macklin Shanahan
led the team in scoring with 16 points;
Connor Becker was right behind with
14 points.
The Cardinals won game number two
68-54 Feb. 8 at Williamsburg, where
A. J. Becker tied a state record with 13
three-point baskets and poured in a a
career high of 43 points.
Then to end the week, the Cardinals
pulled out a hard-fought victory
Saturday night winning 59-50 to clinch
the WaMaC Conference championship
at home against West Delaware. The
last time the Cardinals boys won the
conference was 2004.
Dyersville Beckman 61
Maquoketa 55
M (15-2) 10 14 12 19—55
D (13-5) 16 4 22 19—61
Points — A. J. Becker 16; Macklin
Shanahan 16; Connor Becker 14; Caiden
Atienza 6; Kane Kopp 3. Rebounds — C.
Becker 4; Nicholas Ehlinger 4 Nathan
Watters 4; A. Becker 3; Kopp 2; Shanahan
2; Atienza 1; Kannon Coakley 1. Assists —
Shanahan 5; Kopp 1; Watters 1. Steals —
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WE’RE PROUD OF YOU, CARDINALS!
Contributed photo
Kopp 1; C. Becker 1; Shanahan 1. Blocks
— Shanahan 2; C. Becker 1. FG — 21-47.
FT — 3-5. 3PT — 10-28. 
(At Williamsburg Feb. 8)
Maquoketa 68
Williamsburg 54
M (16-2) 15 21 18 14—68
W (5-15) 11 4 17 22—54
Points — A. J. Becker 43; Macklin
Shanahan 10; Kane Kopp 8; Connor Becker
4; Caiden Atienza 3. Rebounds — A.
Becker 7; Shanahan 5; Nathan Watters 4;
Kopp 3; C. Becker 3; Atienza 2; Nicholas
Ehlinger 2; Clayton Widel 1. Assists —
Shanahan 7; C. Becker 3; Kopp 2; Ehlinger
2; A. Becker 2; Atienza 1. Steals — Kopp
Photos by Brooke Taylor
1; Shanahan 1; Atienza 1; A. Becker 1; Nathan Watters looks for a
Kannon Coakley 1. Blocks — Shanahan teammate to set up the play.
1; Atienza 1. FG — 22-45. FT — 7-14. 3PT
— 17-38. 
(At Maquoketa Feb. 9)
Maquoketa 59
West Delaware 50
M (17-2) 14 13 15 17—59
W (14-6) 14 8 14 14—50
Points — A. J. Becker 18; Connor Becker
15; Kane Kopp 11; Macklin Shanahan
9; Nicholas Ehlinger 4; Caiden Atienza
2. Rebounds — Shanahan 12; Kopp 5;
Nathan Watters 5; Atienza 3; C. Becker
2; Ehlinger 1; A. Becker 1. Assists —
Shanahan 5; Ehlinger 2; A. Becker 2;
Kopp 1; Atienza 1; Watters 1. Steals — C.
Becker 2; Ehlinger 2; Shanahan 1 Blocks
— Shanahan 1. FG — 21-47. FT — 10-13. Nicholas Ehlinger sinks an easy
3PT — 7-21. two points on a layup.
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Cardinals hold off
Sabers for third time
this season, continue
path toward state with
another game Monday
By HARV HANSEN
Sports Editor
hhansen@mspress.net
The Cardinals did it three times this
season, and Thursday night they did
it with free throws going down to the
wire.
The Maquoketa boys basketball team
knocked of the Central DeWitt Sabers
for the third time this year 55-47.
Thursday night’s win sends the
Cardinals to the sub-state game Monday
night against Marion at the US Cellular
Center, Cedar Rapids. The time is yet
to be set.
The Cardinals held off the Sabers
in front of a loud, standing-room-only
Maquoketa High School gym. It is dif-
ficult to beat the same team three times
in the same season, then you magnify
it by the rivalry between the Cardinals
and the Sabers.
The Sabers took the early lead, but
the Cardinals battled back to take an
11-8 first-quarter lead.
A. J. Becker connected for his only
three-pointer of the game in the second
quarter, stretching the Cardinals’ lead to
24-17 with 1:27 left until the half. The
score stayed there through halftime.
With the Cardinals up 28-22, Sabers
Coach Grady Gallagher was whistled
for a technical foul with 5:16 left in
the third. Becker made one of two free
throws to make it 29-22, but the Sabers
went on a 10-0 run to take the lead
32-30 late in the third.
The Cardinals held a tenuous two-
The Maquoketa Middle School cheering section was delighted to see the Cardinals claim another win against
DeWitt this season. Every corner of the gym was stuffed with basketball fans.
O,
WAY TO G S!
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WEEK OF FEB. 23, 2019
Photo by Trevis Mayfield
Macklin Shanahan roars with
excitement as the Cardinals
clinched the win Thursday. At
game’s end, he lost his shoe.
point lead to start the fourth quarter
36-34.
Maquoketa scored only four field
goals in the fourth quarter but won the
game making 11 free throws to seal the
victory. The last 10 Cardinals points
came from the free throw line.
The victory sent the at-capacity
crowd into a loud frenzy. It got only
louder after the team returned to the
court after a locker room celebration to
celebrate the win with the student body
and fans.
Macklin Shanahan led scoring
with 14 points, followed by Becker
Hours: Mon-Fri 8-4 and Sat 9-12 1208 E Summit St, Maquoketa, IA • (563) 652-0532
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maqnews.com | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 15
SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
BEN
with 12. The three-point touch eluded
the Cardinals, who did not make a
three-pointer in the second half and
did not even attempt one in the fourth
quarter.
WAGNER
Age: 18
After a couple of down years, 9-13 Grade: Senior
last year and 6-10 in 2016-17, a 20-win
season this year has brought this town
Parents: Brian and Julie Wagner
Position: Forward
back to life. The Cardinals last won a
sub-state game to advance to the state When did you start playing
basketball tournament in 1987. basketball? How old were you?
Thursday night’s win followed a I started basketball in 8th grade and I was
68-38 victory over the Independence 14 years old.
Mustangs Monday in Clinton. In that
game, A. J. Becker joined Maquoketa What are your first
High School’s 1,000-point club, which memories of the game?
includes only four other MHS gradu- My first memory was that I made by first
ates. basket, which was a 3-pointer.
MAQUOKETA 68
INDEPENDENCE 38 What were your expectations
going into the 2018-19 season?
M (19-2) 13 23 23 9—68
My expectations for 2018-19 season was
I (3-19) 7 11 9 11—38
Points — A.J. Becker 27; Macklin be positive.
Shanahan 11; Nicholas Ehlinger 8; Kane
Kopp 7; Caiden Atienza 5; Connor Becker What is your highlight
4; Clayton Widel 2; Kaiden Scott 2; James of the season and why?
Linden 2. Rebounds — Shanahan 4; My highlight of the season was that our
Atienza 4; A. Becker 4; C. Becker 3;
Ehlinger 3; Linden 3; Widel 2; Kopp 1;
team beat DeWitt.
Emmett Sheets 1. Assists — Shanahan
10; Kopp 5; C. Becker 4; Ehlinger 1 Nathan What were the keys to the
Watters 1. Steals — Ehlinger 3 Kopp 2; Cardinals’ success this season?
Shanahan 2; Atienza 2; Scott 1. Blocks
— Widel 1. FG — 26-56. FT — 5-11. 3PT
Positive attitude, experienced players, work-
— 11-30. 
ing together and trust each other.
MAQUOKETA 55
Will you play basketball after
CENTRAL DEWITT 47
high school? If so, where?
No.
M (20-2) 11 13 12 19—55
C (10-10) 8 9 17 13—47
What lessons have you learned
Points — Macklin Shanahan 14; A.J.
playing basketball?
Becker 12; Connor Becker 8; Nicholas
Never give up, be positive, trust one another.
Ehlinger 8; Caiden Atienza 6; Nathan
Watters 4; Kane Kopp 3. Rebounds —
Shanahan 13; Watters 5; A. Becker 4; What is your advice to that kid
Atienza 2; Ehlinger 2; Kopp 1. Assists
all alone on the playground who
— Shanahan 6; A. Becker 2; C. Becker
keeps shooting the basketball
2; Kopp 1. Steals — Kopp 2; C. Becker
2; Shanahan 2; Watters 1. Blocks — and missing?
Shanahan 2; Atienza 2; A. Becker 1. FG — I would help him or her how to shoot the ball
19-47. FT — 13-23. 3PT — 4-16. properly so he could make the basket and
tell him or her not to give up.
What word(s) sums up
the 2018-19 season?
Positive. Successful.
Photos by Trevis Mayfield
proud to be
a cardinal!
what a
season!
16 SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | maqnews.com

WEEK OF FEB. 27, 2019

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT
NATHAN

WATTERS
Age: 18
Grade: Senior
Parents: John and Jayne Watters 2018-19 Cardinals starting lineup, left to right:

No. 1 in our hearts

Position: Post/Center A.J. Becker, Connor Becker, Caiden Atienza, Macklin Shanahan and Kane Kopp
When did you start playing
basketball? How old were you?
I started playing in third grade when I was
9 years old. My first basketball memory is
scoring my first ever basket with the Red Dogs,
our traveling team, at the old Preston gym.

What were your expectations

going into the 2018-19 season?
The only thing I had was everyone would
give 100% at every practice and game.
What is your season highlight?
My biggest highlight was just seeing the
community coming together. It seemed like
everyone knew about all of our games and
the mass of people coming to our games, it
was incredible.
What were the keys to the
Cardinals’ success this season?
Our commitment to defense. After last year’s
loss, we wanted things to change. We knew
we were a pretty good team offensively, but
we needed to get better on the other side.
We worked all offseason and it worked out
quite well.
Will you play ball after high school?
I will go shoot around and play pickup games
because I love basketball too much to just
stop playing it.
What lessons have you learned
playing basketball?
I have learned that hard work pays off. We
as a team wanted to get better, and that’s
just what we did. We pushed ourselves to get
one board better each day, and it worked out.
What is your advice to that kid all
alone on the playground who keeps
shooting the basketball and missing?
My advice would to be keep shooting until
you get to where you want to be. Everyone
starts out missing, and that’s fine, failure is the
key to success, but it’s the tough minded and
determined who break through and succeed.
What word(s) sums up this season?
A: Magical.
Maquoketa boys basketball team defeated
in substate game, capture hearts
in the community during 2018-19 season
By HARV HANSEN
Sports Editor
hhansen@mspress.net
As the final two seconds ticked off
the clock Monday night, the Maquoketa
Cardinals fans were deflated. Their
hopes for an appearance at the state
basketball tournament faded along with
a memorable season in which the com-
munity rallied around the team.
Maquoketa, ranked No. 1 for part of
the 2018-19 season, traveled to the U.S.
Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids to take
on the Marion Indians with the winner
advancing to the state tournament in
Des Moines next week.
The Cardinals lost 41-38 to their
WaMaC Conference foe in a game that
featured more defense than offense.
It also marked the final game for
starting seniors Kane Kopp, Macklin
Shanahan and A.J. Becker, as well
as reserve seniors Nicholas Ehlinger,
Kaiden Scott, Nathan Watters, Ben
Wagner, James Linden and Quentyn
Huebbe.
Maquoketa got off to a strong start,
but the game became a defensive battle.
The Cardinals held a 12-6 lead in
the closing minutes of the first quarter,
but a Cardinal turnover gave Marion a
chance to cut the lead before the buzz-
er. Marion regained momentum when
point guard Will Henricksen dribbled
down the court and sank Marion’s only
three pointer of the night, cutting the
lead to three.
The Cardinals offense struggled in
the second quarter, scoring only seven
points. Two of those, however, were
memorable. When Kopp threw a back-
door lob pass to Caiden Atienza for the
alley-oop slam dunk the Maquoketa
fans roared.
Despite their offensive struggles,
Maquoketa’s defense allowed them to
maintain the lead through the first half
19-18.
Defense continued to dominate
the game in the third quarter as the
Cardinals scored only six points. With
a quarter to go, Marion was out front by
one point, 26-25.
Atienza made two free throws to open
the fourth quarter, giving the Cardinals
the lead. On his next trip down the
court, Atienza made one of two free
throws, giving the Cards the lead 28-26.
Then, Becker hit back-to-back three
pointers to give the Cardinals their big-
gest lead of the night at 36-29. Becker
led Maquoketa’s scorers with 13 points.
That’s when Marion came roaring
back thanks to pressure defense and
eight free throws. Marion led 39-36
with 29 seconds left in the game, but
Maquoketa still had life.
With time ticking away, Becker
dribbled to the top of the key, pump
faked and was fouled while shooting
a three-pointer that could have tied the
game with 6.7 seconds left. Instead,
Becker went to the foul line and hit the
first two shots. Then, after a Marion
timeout, Becker’s third shot rattled
around the rim and rolled off, leaving
the Cardinals down by one.
After Marion converted two more
free throws, the Cardinals still had one
possession left.
Shanahan took the ball down the
court under pressure and attempted a
James Linden, Kaiden Scott and Quentyn Huebbe encourage their
teammates from the bench.
three pointer to tie the game.
The buzzer sounded, the shot fell
short, and Maquoketa’s season came
to an end.
The Cardinals ended the season with a
20-3 record, winning its first 14 games
before losing to Dyersville Beckman
and Marion in the regular season.
After the game, Coach Matt Hartman
said he regretted trying to hold the
ball to run the clock out in the fourth
quarter.
“When we were up 36-29, I [wish I]
would have played it different,” he said.
“I would keep attacking the rim and just
play the way we play.”
After a locker room pep talk after the
game, Hartman said he was proud “of
each and every one of his players for
what they have accomplished and done
this year — for themselves, the school,
and the community.”
He said it was great to see the fans
rally around the team all season.
Maquoketa played to a packed gym for
many of their home games.
Maquoketa 38
Marion 41
Maq. (20-3) 12 7 6 13—38
Mar. (16-5) 9 9 8 15—41
Points — A. J. Becker 13; Macklin
Shanahan 9; Connor Becker 6; Caiden
Atienza 6; Kane Kopp 2; Nathan Watters
2. Rebounds — Shanahan 12; Atienza 4;
Kopp 3; C. Becker 3. A. Becker 3; Watters
3; Nicholas Ehlinger 2. Assists — Kopp 2;
Shanahan 1; Atienza 1; Watters 1. Steals
— none. Blocks — None. FG — 12-35. FT
— 10-14. 3PT — 4-14
Photos by Brooke Taylor

so
We aref our
A fine season, gentlemen!
We are proud of you!
proud onals!
CardY TiO GO,
WA
TES!
ATHLE
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2018-19 MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASKETBALL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

 maqnews.com | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 17

Thanks for the memories!

This team has worked hard and accomplished so much together. This season has been
one fans, families, players and community members will remember forever.

1211 E. Platt St.

Maquoketa
563.652.3483
PROUDLY SERVING THE
COMMUNITY SINCE 1997
18 SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | maqnews.com

Maquoketa
Cardinals
2018-19
Senior Boys
Statistics

A.J. BECKER

SENIOR
Season Games FG-FGA 3FG-FGA FT-FTA Pts/Avg. Reb. Asst. Steals
2016-17 22 60-166 35-103 17-21 172/7.8 56 31 19
2017-18 22 139-302 88-199 48-70 414/18.8 79 37 23
2018-19 23 145-323 89-203 71-88 450/19.6 84 56 23
Total 67 344-791 212-505 136-179 1030/15.4 219 124 65

MACKLIN SHANAHAN CAREER LEADERS

Season Games FG-FGA 3FG-FGA FT-FTA Pts/Avg. Reb. Asst. Steals
2016-17 22 58-141 21-55 36-53 173/7.9 67 40 43
2017-18
2018-19
22
23
67-133
95-181
6-23
12-35
75-112
71-110
215/9.8
273/11.9
112
171
94
122
46
38
FIELD GOALS: 344
Total 67 220-455 39-113 182-275 661/9.9 350 256 127 A.J. Becker

KANE KOPP FIELD GOAL ATTEMPTS: 791

Season Games FG-FGA 3FG-FGA FT-FTA Pts/Avg. Reb. Asst. Steals A.J. Becker
2016-17 22 20-59 14-46 2-3 56/2.5 13 12 6
2017-18 22 49-143 36-112 28-46 162/7.4 45 36 25
2018-19
Total
23 68-150 37-99
67 137-352 87-257
42-54
72-103
215/9.3
433/7.6
59
117
46
94
33
64
3-POINTERS: 212*
A.J. Becker
NATHAN WATTERS
Season Games FG-FGA 3FG-FGA FT-FTA Pts/Avg. Reb. Asst. Steals 3-POINT ATTEMPTS: 505*
2016-17 13 0-1 0-0 2-4 2/0.2 6 0 0 A.J. Becker
2017-18 22 22-44 0-0 13-22 57/2.6 85 7 6
2018-19 23 25-53 0-1 18-30 68/3 104 13 5
Total 58 47-98 0-1 35-56 127/2.2 195 20 11 FREE THROWS: 182
Macklin Shanahan
NICHOLAS EHLINGER
Season Games FG-FGA 3FG-FGA
2016-17 5 0-2 0-1
FT-FTA
2-2
Pts/Avg.
2/0.2
Reb.
0
Asst. Steals
1 1 FREE THROW ATTEMPTS: 275
2018-19 23 37-91 17-54 4-7 95/4.1 50 22 19 Macklin Shanahan
Total 28 37-93 17-55 6-9 97/4 50 23 20

POINTS: 1,030**
KAIDEN SCOTT A.J. Becker
Season Games FG-FGA 3FG-FGA FT-FTA Pts/Avg. Reb. Asst. Steals
2017-18 4 0-3 0-3 2-2 2/.5 0 1 0
2018-19 10
Total 14 1-15
1-12 0-10
0-13
0-0
2-2
2/0.2
2/0.3
3 1
3 2 1
1
AVERAGE POINTS: 15.4
A.J. Becker
JAMES LINDEN
Season Games FG-FGA 3FG-FGA FT-FTA Pts/Avg. Reb. Asst. Steals REBOUNDS: 350
2017-18 7 0-1 0-0 0-0 0/0 2 0 0 Macklin Shanahan
2018-19 10 1-3 0-0 2-2 4/0.4 9 0 1
Total 17 1-4 0-0 2-2 4/0.2 11 0 1
ASSISTS: 256
QUENTYN HUEBBE Macklin Shanahan
Season Games FG-FGA 3FG-FGA FT-FTA Pts/Avg. Reb. Asst. Steals
2017-18
2018-19
3
11
0-0
0-6
0-0
0-6
0-0
0-0
0/0
0/0
0
0
0
0
0
0 STEALS: 127
Total 16 0-6 0-6 0-0 0/0 0 0 0 Macklin Shanahan

BEN WAGNER Source: Quikstatsiowa.com

* School record
Season Games FG-FGA 3FG-FGA FT-FTA Pts/Avg. Reb. Asst. Steals
2018-19 2 0-6 0-0 0-0 0/0 0 0 0 ** Fifth all-time at Maquoketa

MAQUOKETA CARDINALS
BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM STATS
Record FG Att FG Made FG % 3 pt Att 3 pt 3 pt % FT Att FT Made FT % Pts Pts/G

2015-16 12 - 10 - 0 1094 481 44.0 339 122 36.0 443 303 68.4 1387 63.0

2016-17 6 - 16 - 0 1127 429 38.1 514 167 32.5 314 211 67.2 1236 56.2

2017-18 9 - 13 - 0 893 374 41.9 475 175 36.8 340 225 66.2 1148 52.2

2018-19 20 - 3 - 0 1088 489 44.9 504 180 35.7 444 299 67.3 1457 63.3
Source: Quikstatsiowa.com

GO CARDS!
We loved watching you give
Proud
to be a
It’s been an honor to be by your
side, Cardinals! Stand proud!!
it your all this season! Cardinal!
563.652.0000 Way to go,
125 S. 2nd St., Maquoketa, IA
eastiowaland.com boys! 414 E. Platt St., Maquoketa • Ph: 652-7147 • Cell: 563-212-7463

2018-19 MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASKETBALL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

 maqnews.com | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 19

Black out: Maquoketa fans crowded the U.S. Cellular Arena in Cedar Rapids for what turned out to be the Cardinals’ final game of the 2018-19 season. In a
tight back-and-forth game, fans got excited when ace shooter A.J. Becker swished two back-to-back three pointers for the Cards.

YOUR BIGGEST FANS

Winning Cardinals basketball season unites community

Students from the high school consistently packed the

bleachers to root for the Cardinals this season.

(Above) The
Maquoketa cheer
squad pumps
their fists with
delight after it
was announced
that A.J. Becker
hit 1,000 career
points. (Right)
Fans get excited (Above) Manager Sydney
for the winning Clark and ball boy Jordan
Cardinals during a Hartman get ready for
home game. the game to start. (Left)
(Above) Wrigley Wisco, Adalyn Riniker, Following tradition, Coach
Photos by Brooke
Delanee Burmeister, Nora Ehlinger and Hartman received an
Taylor, Buddy Atienza, after-game hug from fan
Trevis Mayfield and (in front) Norah Scheper were there to cheer
contributed on their favorite hometown boys. Kathy Becker.

WAY You’ll always Be

BE PROUD OF ALL YOU
TOP DOG
TO GO,
Cardinals! HAVE ACCOMPLISHED!
You had a great
season - we are
proud of you!
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2018-19 MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASKETBALL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

20 SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | maqnews.com

PLAYING
Practice
basketballs
await use
before a
game.
WITH HEART
Cardinals finish season 20-3 in 2018-19

Kaiden Scott, Quentyn Huebbe, Clayton Widel, Caiden Atienza, Nathan Watters and Coach Matt Hartman applaud and yell out encouragements to their
teammates on the court. The 2018-19 boys basketball team won the WaMaC East Division and overall conference championships.

(Right)
(Second
Caiden
from left)
Atienza
Nathan
connects for
Watters
a dunk. The
looks for the
sophomore
open man.
scored the
(Near left)
first dunk of
A.J.
his career
Becker
this season.
focuses on
(Second
the basket
right) Connor
as he
Becker drives
releases a
to the hoop.
free throw.

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2018-19 MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASKETBALL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

 maqnews.com | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 21

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Cards a class act for this rookie reporter
I
started a new chapter in my life nine
months ago. With no photographic and
journalism experience, I took the job
as the sports editor for the Maquoketa
Sentinel-Press.
The term greenhorn really fits here,
because I had no idea what was going to
happen. I enjoy watching sports, and I’m a
coach and referee, but I’d never written a
recap of a game, described what was going
on, or taken pictures of it.
The Cardinal boys’ first home game of
the year was on a Friday night back on Nov.
30. The boys were cruising to a 20-point
victory.
In the second half I said to Maquoketa
Athletic Director Tom Gruenwald, “I
thought there would be more people in the
stands.”
Gruenwald’s response?
“We were hoping for more people on a
Friday night.”
Then attendance changed. More and more
fans trickled in through the doors and onto
the red bleacher seats.
By the third home game, the gym was
full.
It was standing-room only Dec. 14 when
the Cardinals played Marion for the fourth
home game of the year.
Why? The Cardinals happened to be
ranked No. 1 in Class 3A.
From then on the boys basketball team
was the talk of the town. People would
stop me and say they thought the boys had
a bad game or they played great or the refs
were terrible. The boys were still winning,
the fans just wanted to win by 20 points or
more so they would not get nervous watch-
ing the game.
There were a lot of coaches on the
streets — people telling me that Coach
Matt Hartman should do “this” and asking
“why did he do that?” It’s easy to coach
from the stands until you get down on the
court — then things change.
With more people coming to the games,
it also meant more people visiting some
of the local establishments before or
after the game to eat and talk about the
game. I know the players would go to
McDonald’s and some of the fans would
visit PerXactly’s Bar and Grill or Timber
Lanes for a sandwich and fries.
Maquoketa
varsity boys
basketball players
Kane Kopp,
Macklin Shanahan,
Nicholas Ehlinger
and A.J. Becker
stopped by a
practice at the
middle school to
pass forward some
instruction on the
game.
Contributed photo
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2018-19 MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASKETBALL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION
Connor Becker and A.J. Becker pose with one of their biggest fans, Caleb
Coates, after a basketball game this season. For Coates, Becker signed one of
the memento “1,000 points” signs that signified his milestone 1,000th career point.
HARV HANSEN
Sentinel-Press Sports Editor
But the coaches and players were not
sucked into all the water cooler talk; they
just wanted to play basketball. Mother
Nature at times blocked those plans, forc-
ing the school district to cancel games and
practices and putting the boys out of their
routine.
The Cardinals had a stretch where
they played seven straight games away
from home, losing two of the seven. The
Maquoketa fans did travel well to all the
away games.
The Cardinals broke and tied some
school and state records this basketball
season.
The year came to a close earlier than
everyone wanted it to for this bunch of
seniors who have been playing together
since the third grade.
“We have built a brotherhood of bond
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maqnews.com | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 23
Contributed photo
and trust that will stay with them for a life-
time,” Macklin Shanahan said in an inter-
view after one of the games.
There is a new group of young, impres-
sionable boys who now have new heroes to
look up to and idolize. I know one 8-year-
old boy, Caleb Coates, whose favorite
players are Connor Becker and A.J. Becker.
Caleb got a huge surprise one night when
A.J.’s father, Kary Becker, delivered an
1,000-points memento that A.J. had signed
for Caleb.
You would have thought A.J. gave him
1,000
the world.
Caleb got his picture taken with Connor
Photo by Buddy Atienza
and A.J. one night after a game. And I just
bet that A.J. has that picture as his back-
ground on his tablet. That’s a pretty class
act.
The boys also showed up at an eighth-
grade grade boys basketball practice one
CAREER POINTS
night to give some pointers and some
encouragement.
These seniors won’t play high school A.J. Becker scored his 1,000th
basketball in the Maquoketa gym again, career point Monday, Feb. 18. when
but all the young boys in the stands will the Cardinals defeated Independence
remember them and try to emulate them in the first round of districts.
when they get to the high school level.
Pregame
Not only will the young kids remember
this team, I will remember this team as the
first team I covered that had a very success-
Prayer
ful year and such amazing young men and
athletes.
(Recited by former Maquoketa coach
Bill Fleming before every game)
“Let’s pray – pray in your own way
… but please pray. Don’t pray that
we win, for God willing we shall.
But rather pray that each of us can
give 100%. You just want to be able
to face the man in the mirror after-
ward. Pray that no one on either
ball club is injured. Thank God that
you can play for Maquoketa and I
thank him for letting me coach you.
I love you guys very much! Good
luck and God bless you…”
These athletes are astonishing!
Maquoketa is proud of you!
y t o g o,
Wa ds!
Car
Maquoketa 563-652-5681 • 1-800-383-5681
You’ve proudly n an
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 24 SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | maqnews.com

OPINION FROM A
RETIRED SPORTSWRITER

What makes a team the best?

W
ith Maquoketa’s boys
basketball team winning game
after game and ranking among
the state’s elite, local citizens
and many from out of town came to watch
Coach Matt Hartman’s team. Some were
never avid basketball fans. Others followed
the Cardinals when a son or relative played,
then lost interest after they had graduated.
College coaches showed up looking for
possible future talent.
When Maquoketa High School opened its
modern gymnasium 10 years ago, I doubted
if the 1,600 seats would ever be filled. I saw
it firsthand this year when seats were at a
premium and fans circled for standing room
on the upper level, filling the facility for a
regular season girl-boy doubleheader. Some
fans walked a couple of blocks to reach the
door.
It brought back memories of some of
the finest Cardinals teams of the past. Fans
turned out for them, too. A couple of times
fans were turned away at the door.
As a fan I saw games in the 1940s, then
as a student, later as a sportswriter, and
now a casual fan. I like the present team,
their style of play, and their enthusiasm. I’m
happy, and very proud, just to watch.
Recently I was asked to write an account
of some of the great Maquoketa teams of
the past. My first response to the offer was
a definite “no.” I wasn’t going to go out on
a limb to pick a best team ever or even a
list of candidates. Upon second thought, it
would be a way to bring back memories, not
only for me, but others like me.
I selected 15 basketball teams from
the past, starting with the six teams that
qualified for the state tournament in 1976,
1977, 1978, 1983, 1984 and 1987. Then
came tougher decisions; like the state
tournament teams, all the remaining nine
were coached by the late Bill Fleming.
None of the nine “extras” lost more
than four games. All of them either won
or shared a conference championship.
Maquoketa’s 1984-85 and 1988-89 teams
were 20-2. The 1978-1979 team was 19-2,
losing the season opener then winning
19 straight before losing to rival Central
DeWitt.
The Cardinals of 1989-90 were 19-3
with the 1995-96 squad going 18-3.
Rounding out my top 15 was an 18-4
record in 1990-91 and 17-4 seasons by the
1971-72 and 1974-75 teams.
JACK MARLOWE
Local Sports Historian
those seasons. People often arranged their
work schedules and vacations to open up a
week in March hoping to watch the team in
the state tournament. Some heartbreaking
losses ruined their plans, but Maquoketa
remained known for top-quality teams and
outstanding fan support.
State teams
As far as a state tournament placing is
concerned, the top honor goes to the 1983
team led by guard Jeff Fleming, who scored
37 points in a game at Vets Auditorium and
led the Class 2A field in scoring. Fleming
averaged 22.6 points for the season,
followed by sophomore Shane Keeney,
12.2, John Rollinger, and Paul Fix, 11.6 and
9.2, respectively. Boyd Small and Brent
Hutton filled major roles.
The team beat Iowa Falls in overtime
as John Rollinger’s three-point goal in
the closing 10 seconds tied the score. The
Cards gave Cedar Rapids Regis a battle in
the finals before losing 55-50. Fleming was
named to the all-tournament team.
The 1982-83 team won games by an
average margin of 20.3 points!
Maquoketa’s first state tournament
team was in 1976. Clay Romer was
Maquoketa’s leader, averaging 16 points
a game. Lester Johnson made opponents
miserable by blocking shots and averaged
13.7 points per game. The team averaged
only 48.5 points a game, but had a defensive
average of just 40.6, the lowest of any of
the 15 teams in my group. It was a team
of Fleming’s mold. In 11 of the Cards’ 24
games, opponents were held to less than 40
points.
Randy Yanda and Leon Schoenthaler
helped in many details. Scott Lamar was
the key playmaker. The Cards placed third
in the state with Romer named on the all-
(Above left) Chad Specht was the leading scorer on the 1987 Cards team,
including 41 points vs. Marion. (Above right) Carl Small played a steady backcourt
game for the 19-3 Cardinals team of 1989-90.
The Cardinals followed with state
tournament trips in 1977 and 1978.
Marty Schoenthaler and Kenny Bowman
became Maquoketa players on three state
tournament teams.
The ’77 and ’78 teams lost seven games
during the season, going 15-7 and 18-7. The
1977 team lost the state opener to Forest
City. Lester Johnson had foul problems and
was the leading scorer on the team with
a 19-point average. His rebounding and
blocked shot figures still rank with the best
in MCHS history. Schoenthaler was the
second-leading scorer, averaging 8.7 per
game.
Schoenthaler (19.2) and Bowman (11.2)
carried the scoring load in 1978, but defense
was still the strength of the team. They held
opponents to just 46.1 points a game and
had the lowest scoring margin — 6.1 points
a game — of any of the 15 selected teams.
Maquoketa lost 37-33 in the state
semi-finals to Denison. Broadcasting
the game, Frosty Mitchell was quoted as
back in history 50 years. Fleming took it
as a compliment and seemed happy to see
Denison win the state championship game
48-44.
Maquoketa lost 57-55 to Emmetsburg
in the consolation game. Schoenthaler was
given a spot on the all-tournament team.
It was five years before Maquoketa
returned to the state tournament, but the
1978-79 team went 19-2, losing the season
opener to Camanche, then winning 19
straight games and were ranked No. 1 in
the state before bowing to DeWitt 59-52 in
the district. Janitors at Clinton’s Yourd Gym
had to ask Fleming to take the team home
after the veteran coach held a lengthy post-
game meeting.
Non-starter Tom Bodensteiner led the
Cards in scoring (12.5) with juniors Lee
Schmidt, Brian Moore and Steve McAfee
following with 11.7, 9.1 and 9.2 averages,
respectively. Joel Rollinger (6.3) and Mike
Balliu (5.1) followed.
HISTORY | PAGE 26

!
Maquoketa’s fan base expanded during tournament team saying the game put the state tournament

Be proud of all you’ve accomplished CONGRATS ON AN

in your high school years! EXCEPTIONAL SEASON,

LET’S GO CARDS! CARDINALS

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2018-19 MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASKETBALL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

 maqnews.com | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 25

HOW TO BE A
MAQUOKETA

If you can dribble like Macklin, shoot like A.J.,

nab rebounds like Nathan and move as quickly as Kane...

YOU’LL ALWAYS
BE A WINNER!
If you can lead the floor like Nicholas, hit the boards like Caiden,
motivate like James and stay positive like Quentyn...

THERE’S NO WAY
YOU CAN LOSE!
If you can cheer like Ben, drive to the hoop like Connor,
dish the rock like Kaiden and swat shots like Clayton...

YOU’RE BOUND
TO FIND SUCCESS!
If you can be a great teammate like Chase, be full of energy like Emmett,
look for opportunities like Kannon and be ready to learn like Brady...

THE GAME
BELONGS TO YOU!
It’s been our pleasure to cover your successful season.

Sentinel-Press
Maquoketa

Address: 108 W. Quarry St., Maquoketa, IA Phone: 563-652-2441 Web: maqnews.com

 26 SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | maqnews.com

HISTORY
Continued from page 24
The team scored an
average of 61.7 points
per game while holding
opponents to 44.1, a
winning margin of 17.6.
Their field goal percentage
was .503.
Schmidt and Moore were
asked to carry the load the
following year as McAfee
was gone. They filled the
challenge with 14.1 and
11.5 scoring averages,
with Jay Rollinger (6.7),
Steve Medinger (6.6), Jon
Wallace (5.1) and Trent
Hoye (4.6) following.
Again, the defense was
their feature. They held
foes to the second-lowest
scoring average of 15 teams
mentioned, 41.4 points a
game
The Cardinals went 14-0
in the conference but were
eliminated in the tournament
by Anamosa.
After finishing second
in the state in 1983, the
Cardinals were a well-
rounded team but missed
Fleming’s ball handling
during the 1983-84 season.
They were 14-0 in the
WaMaC, shooting 53.8
percent from the floor
and 71 percent from the
free throw line. They won
games by an average of 14.3
points.
Paul Fix, John Rollinger,
Shane Keeney, Brent Hutton
and Chad Bullock returned
from the state championship
team. Dave Schmidt, 6’8”,
was a valuable addition.
Schmidt, Fix and
Rollinger averaged from
11.6 to 12.0 points a game;
Keeney was at 8.3. They
rolled through the WaMaC
14-0, but lost to Clinton
Mater Dei by four and
Central DeWitt by two.
After winning the state
SUCCESS IS NO ACCIDENT.
it is hard work, perseverance,
learning, studying, sacrifice
and most of all,
love of what you are doing
or learning to do.
-Pele
opener, up popped Regis in
a rematch of the previous
year’s finals. The Cards
led at half 25-21, but Regis
exposed the Cardinals’
weakness with a full-court
press. Maquoketa scored
just eight points in the
second half and lost 53-33.
Iowa Falls was ready to
avenge the previous year’s
loss. The Cadets tied the
game in the closing seconds
and won in overtime 57-55,
dropping the Cardinals to
fourth place. Schmidt was
named to the all-tournament
team.
The 1984-85 Cardinals
were an outstanding
team. They lost only one
regular-season game and
featured a strong front line
in MHS cage history, with
Schmidt, 6 foot 5 inches,
Radd Gerischer and Chad
Bullock. The ball handling
of 5-foot-5 Jim Fleming
made them click.
One big difference placed
them in a tough situation.
Maquoketa was elevated to
the large school class.
The team responded,
defeating North Scott
by 13 and Clinton by 19
points. They advanced to
substate, facing Dubuque
Wahlert in the Five Flags
Center at Dubuque. Another
factor: starting guard Jason
Frandsen was out of the
country on a family trip.
That could have been
a factor, especially on
defense.
It was anyone’s game
going into the closing
seconds, tied at 47. Wahlert
played for the last shot
and took the win. The
unexpected villain for
Maquoketa was Brad
Burgmeier, a player the
Cardinals played a little
loose to help out with the
Golden Eagles other scorers.
Lester Johnson swats the ball amongst congestion
under the hoop as a member of Maquoketa’s first state
tournament team in 1976.
Burgemeier broke their
hearts, sinking a 10-foot
shot.
As I left the silence of
what once was a noisy gym,
Wahlert coach Jim Jarchow,
a person I’d never met,
grabbed me and told me
to tell the Maquoketa fans
how proud they should be of
their team.
Maquoketa came from
nowhere to grab a spot in
the 1987 state tournament.
They won games by an
average of 9.3 points,
claiming a WaMaC title
with a 10-2 record.
Chad Specht was the
leading scorer, averaging
18.5 points including a
41-point explosion vs.
Marion. Brian Wolter
averaged a dozen despite
missing games with
measles. He returned for
the state tournament. Burly
Jeremy Schoop played a
key role.
Perry ran away from the
Cards in the state opener
in a foul-dominated game.
Falling behind early, the
Cardinals fouled repeatedly
in the desperate minutes
when the Blue Jays spoiled
the strategy by making free
throws.
Despite playing just
one game, Specht was
recognized as a member of
the all-tournament team.
After six state
tournaments in a space of
a dozen years, little did
one realize that until this
day, the Cardinals would
never get back to state.
It should be noted the
near misses of teams in
1971-72 and 1974-75. Both
finished with 17-4 records,
winning a conference
championship and losing in
the substate. Neither were
powerful offensively but
solid on defense; they left
the model of good things to
come.
Who could ignore the
talents of Rocky Lamar,
Rick Clasen and Mike
Satchell, along with Lynn
Hughes, Clay Romer, Daryl
Davison, Don Lyons and
Joe Casady? They lost to
Dubuque Wahlert and Cedar
Rapids LaSalle in reach of
the state tournament.
The 1988-89 team
went 20-2, featuring Dave
McLaughlin, Jeff Gilmore,
Brad Mangler and Tom
Simmons. Playing in the
large school class the Cards
advanced to the substate
with double-figure wins
over Pleasant Valley and
North Scott. Expectations
were high against
Davenport North, but the
Spartans got the win.
A year later the Cards
were 19-3 scoring 70.5
points a game with an
average winning margin of
24.6 points! They shot 50
percent from the field and
took down 60 percent of the
rebounds.
It may have been the
deepest team on my list.
Joe Shollenberger was a
big surprise and joined
Jeff Gilmore, one of
Maquoketa’s finest all-
around players, as leading
scorers. Brad Mangler,
Jason Lietz and Chris
Oltmanns pounded the
boards while junior Carl
Small and Todd Skrivseth
were a steady backcourt
duo.
The team went 19-3,
winning games by an
average margin of 34.6
points! They averaged 50.5
points a game, less than
a point below the school
all-time record. The team
had the finest rebounding
record, getting 60 percent of
the boards for the season.
However, for the second
year in a row Davenport
North pulled out the
win in a game played at
Bettendorf. The Cards
couldn’t solve the North
defense. Wildcat coach J.D.
Rios told me it was the
same for his team against
Maquoketa.
Small, Skrivseth and
Oltmanns got another
chance to make it to the
state tournament, going
18-4 in 1990-91. Regis
denied them the trip by
winning the substate.
What some believe was
the best shot for state
came in 1995-96. The team
featured Sage Rosenfels,
one of the school’s finest
all-around athletes, and
Dan Fleming, who went on
to have a good collegiate
career at MidAmerica
Nazarene University.
They had an 18-3 record,
12-0 in the WaMaC, with
all three losses coming
at the hands of Central
DeWitt!
Rosenfels had 14
double-doubles (points and
rebounds) and three triple-
doubles while averaging
almost 20 points a game.
Fleming cashed in with 15
points a contest while Pat
Bentrott, Matt Hayes, Jerry
Widel and Kent Bennis
made solid contributions.
Bentrott holds the school
record for an assist-to-
turnover ratio that may
never be challenged.
Honorable Mention
The line had to be
drawn somewhere. Some
strong consideration may
include the 2002-03 team
coached by Jeff Herkelman,
which won six consecutive
games before losing to
Mount Vernon 59-55 in
the substate. Bryce Husak,
Mount Vernon’s 7-foot
center, proved too much for
the Cardinal team, which
finished the season at 12-11.
Certainly deserving
mention was the 1959-
60 team guided by Don
Schlotfelt, winners of six
tournament games, then
defeated for the third time
by a potent Monticello
squad a win away from
state. The Cards included
Larry Loos, who averaged
22.4 points and 12 rebounds
a game while hampered
much of the season with
a stiff knee. Sophomore
Ed Whitchelo, on his way
to a 1,000-point career,
furnished 15 points a game
during a 16-9 season.
L.W. Reid coached some
excellent teams in the late
1920s and early 1930s.
The 1916-17 team
coached by Mr. Indra had
an 11-2 record, bowing
to Davenport 20-8, then
began a tournament
hosted by Lenox College
in Hopkinton with an
82-2 romp over Cascade.
It remained the highest
point total by a Maquoketa
team until 1958 when
the Cardinals scored 99
points in a 99-83 win over
Bettendorf. Maquoketa’s
high scorers were John
Wirtz and Pat O’Hara
tying for the honors with
34 points each. Their point
total would have been
expanded with today’s
three-point shot.
The 1916-17 squad
notched two more wins,
beating Earlville 47-8 and
Coggon 52-23, but lost
to Monticello 34-9 in the
finals.
None of Maquoketa’s six
state tournament teams lost
more than three games in
a row. All of them held an
opponent under 33 points in
a game.
Dubuque St. Columbkille
was the first Catholic team
to eliminate Maquoketa in
the IHSAU tournaments
in 1961. Since then a
parochial school has
ended Maquoketa’s bid
for a state title 26 times.
Davenport Assumption
defeated Maquoketa seven
times, Dubuque Wahlert,
five and Cedar Rapids
Regis, four. Others include
Bellevue St. Joe’s Cedar
Rapids, LaSalle, Dyersville
Beckman, DeWitt St. Joe’s,
and Dubuque Loras.
The 2018-19 team has a
good case to be considered
among the school’s finest.

You put on quite the jenfowlerpaintinganddesign.com

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Congratulations on a
GREAT SEASON
Maquoketa Cardinals!
season, Cardinals.
Way to go!
Like our page on Facebook for
information on upcoming performances
Car Amazing Season
JEN FOWLER
Owner and Worker Bee

563-587-9858
jenbybrush1113@gmail.com

WAY TO GO WE’VE HAD SO MUCH FUN

ROOTING FOR YOU!
CARDS!
Your hard work
and determination
Chris and Vicki Meinecke;
Ryan, Sue, Aiden and Sophie Meinecke;
Heather, Brandon, Finley, Kelan,
paid off - and Anniston Starr; Michael, Kate,

DuTrac.org | (800) 475.1331 great season! Vivienne, and George Meinecke; and
Keenan and Megan Meinecke

2018-19 MAQUOKETA HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY BASKETBALL COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

 maqnews.com | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 27

ngr ats
Co dinals!
Ca r
What a season you’ve had!
With great teamwork anything is possible.
Celebrate your success on the court

START-TO-FINISH
• Machine Shed
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SOLUTIONS
• Livestock
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FINANCING
OPTIONS NOW
AVAILABLE!

Pictured: Ashley Harrison

and Dave River and AgVantage
FS building in DeWitt, IA

DAVE RIVER
Maquoketa, Ia
563.559.0152
CONSTRUCTION, INC.
Email :
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www.daveriverconstructioninc.com
28 SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 2019 | MAQUOKETA SENTINEL-PRESS | maqnews.com

y t o g i v e y o u r f a n s
W a r a b o ut !
someth i n g t o c h e e

e ’ r e p r o u d o f y o u !
W
Congrats to the 2018-19 Maquoketa High School
varsity boys basketball team on a great season!
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