G-R’s Elly Sieh soars over the English Valleys defense to sink a left-handed, breakaway layup on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Reinbeck. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

REINBECK – The Gladbrook-Reinbeck girls basketball team doubled or nearly doubled the English Valleys Bears’ output every quarter during the Class 1A Region 8 semifinal here last Friday, trouncing the shorthanded Bears, 72-33, to advance to the final and position themselves just one beat away from the state tournament.

The Rebels outperformed the Bears in practically every aspect of the game, shooting 29-for-58 from the field (Bears: 9-for-41); 9-for-25 from deep (Bears: 3-for-16); and 5-for-7 from the stripe (Bears: 12-for-16). G-R also recorded 18 assists-triple the Bears’; 38 rebounds; 14 steals-twice the Bears’; and tallied eight blocks to the Bears’ one. The Rebels led the entire game save for a brief moment early in the first quarter when English Valleys managed to square it up 3-3 on the back of a free throw.

Using a full-court press, the Rebels ran the Bears — playing with just seven dressed players — visibly ragged. English Valleys only managed to reach double digits on the scoreboard less than three minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Heading into the third quarter, G-R was up 44-21 and continued applying pressure across the hardwood, flustering English Valleys. By the end of the third, G-R led 64-29 and the game appeared essentially over with the Bears exhausted. The Rebels eventually dropped the press and sent in the reserves in the fourth quarter, but it was much too late at that point for English Valleys.

Senior Elly Sieh led with a game-high 25 points (one 3-pointer) on 11-of-22 shooting, adding six assists, five steals and two rebounds. Her partner in hardwood domination this season, senior Kennedy Brant recorded a double-double with 12 points and a game-high 21 rebounds (five offensive, 16 defensive), along with six assists, two steals, and a game-high, smoking seven blocks.

G-R senior forward Kennedy Brant fights her way through the English Valleys defense to shoot from inside the key during the Class 1A Region 8 semifinal played Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Reinbeck. Brant recorded a double-double that evening – 12 points and 21 rebounds – to help lead the Rebels to a 72-33 victory. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Senior Brinn Schneider finished with nine points on three 3-pointers, two assists, and six rebounds. Junior Kailey Larsen added eight points (two 3-pointers), three assists, three steals, and three rebounds. Senior Leila Thesing scored six points on 3-of-4 shooting with two rebounds and a steal.

Off the bench, junior Natalie Witt chipped in eight points on 3-of-4 shooting (2-of-3 from deep); senior Olivia Riffey had three points on a 3-pointer plus a steal; senior Mailea McLean added one point, one assist, and one steal; and sophomore Tyler Mathern pulled down three rebounds.

Tonight, Wednesday, Feb. 25, Gladbrook-Reinbeck (20-3) will face Saint Ansgar (19-4) – the first time in program history, per Bound – in the Class 1A Region 8 final played in Charles City. Heading into the postseason, G-R was ranked No. 8, while Saint Ansgar was No. 14 by the IGHSAU.

G-R junior Natalie Witt (21) is congratulated by her teammate, senior Mailea McLean, after sinking a 3-pointer against the English Valleys Bears on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Reinbeck. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Rebel seniors Elly Sieh (4) and Kennedy Brant (14) team up on defense against the English Valleys Bears during the Class 1A Region 8 semifinal Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Reinbeck. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

G-R senior Brinn Schneider (0) flashes three fingers in celebration of her teammate, junior Kailey Larsen (off frame) scoring a 3-pointer against the English Valleys Bears on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Reinbeck. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

Gladbrook-Reinbeck senior point guard Elly Sieh (4) powers her way past the English Valleys defense for a layup during the Class 1A Region 8 semifinal Friday, Feb. 20, 2026, in Reinbeck. Sieh helped lead the Rebels to a 72-33 victory over the Bears, tallying a game-high 25 points. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER