Riley Gatton of Montezuma had a successful first half of her freshman basketball season.
Gatton is the leading scorer on the Des Moines Area Community College Lady Bears basketball team in Boone.
After 14 games, Riley is averaging 12.4 points per game. It’s a balanced attack for Coach Steve Krafcisin’s 7-7 ballclub. Five different girls are out in front in major statistical categories.
“We’re going through growing pain, but the future looks great!” said Krafcisin, a former Iowa Hawkeyes player who has found his coaching niche at DMACC. He’s now in his 15th season as the head coach.
Krafcisin said a major issue is blending 10 incoming freshman with five holdover players from last season. But, at the community college level, it’s a given that change is constant.
Gatton has started in 13 of DMACC’s 14 games. She’s a 5-8 small forward.
Riley is shooting at a .423 pace from the field, which includes .333 from three-point range. When she gets to the line, she’s a .676 shooter.
Gatton is averaging 4.3 rebounds a game.
She has 20 assists, 20 steals and has blocked seven shots.
NEXT GAMES – DMACC plays a road game on Wed., Jan. 8 at Southeastern Community College in Keokuk. The next home game in Boone is Saturday, Jan. 11 at 1 p.m. against Northern Iowa Area Community College.