2025 ELC Girls Basketball Season Recap: A Legacy of Greatness and a Future to Build
Another chapter of excellence was added to the storied Estherville Lincoln-Central (ELC) Girls Basketball program this winter season, and Coach Don Martindale couldn’t be prouder. Under his leadership, the 2024–2025 team continued a remarkable run of success, qualifying for the Iowa Class 3A State Tournament for the fourth straight year and making it all the way to the semifinals, falling by just one point to eventual state champions, Mount Vernon.
“It was another GREAT season for us,” said Coach Martindale, reflecting on the campaign with clear pride in his voice. With a seasoned group of players who have been together through countless big games and intense moments, this team showed consistency, maturity, and heart from start to finish.
Stars Who Shone Brightest
The team's accomplishments were fueled by an extraordinary group of athletes, led by Haylee Stokes, a name that will be remembered in ELC basketball history for years to come. The standout point guard, who will continue her career next year at Minnesota State University in Mankato, was the heartbeat of the team. Leading Class 3A in scoring at 23.5 points per game, Haylee was named First Team All-State in Class 4A and was a two-time All-Tournament Team member, serving as team captain in 2022.
“Haylee is a tremendous team leader and tremendous player,” said Coach Martindale. “She meant everything to this program.”
Backing her up was Rylee Yager, a versatile guard/forward who averaged an impressive 15 points and 8 rebounds per game, earning All-State honors as well. Her ability to perform in multiple roles made her indispensable on both ends of the court.
Hillary Ruschy was another pillar of the squad, bringing a physical presence inside while also contributing from the perimeter. “She could play inside or outside and was a very good low-post defender,” noted Martindale. Her all-around game was crucial to ELC’s strong interior defense.
In the supporting cast, Cara Schiltz emerged as a defensive specialist and great teammate. She will not be returning as she was a senior this year. She stepped into a bigger role with poise, earning Lakes Conference Honorable Mention. Julissa Smith, standing at just 5'3", defied expectations and delivered as an outstanding rebounder, underscoring the team’s grit and toughness.
However, returning are these 4 players that will be counted on heavily during the 2025-2026 season.
Seniors to be Morgan Clabaugh and Zoey DeRuyter, and Juniors to be Grace Nath and Arianna Beekman.
A Year of Consistency and Championship Caliber
While many teams experience highs and lows through a season, Coach Martindale emphasized that this group brought consistency every night. “We were a very consistent basketball team,” he said. No dramatic turning points were needed; instead, ELC’s steady performance and trust in one another propelled them through a competitive schedule and into the state semifinals.
Though their journey ended just shy of the title game, losing by a single point to Mount Vernon, the resilience and effort shown by the players left no regrets. It was a performance that once again cemented ELC's reputation as one of the top programs in Iowa.
A Senior Class That Set the Standard
This season’s success was built on the foundation of a remarkable senior class. According to Coach Martindale, they brought “EVERYTHING” to the program. Their leadership, energy, commitment, and support for one another created a culture that younger players will aspire to replicate.
“These kids have played so many basketball games and BIG games together for the past four seasons,” said Martindale. “They understood the highs and lows of the game and of a season.”
More than just skilled athletes, the seniors were great teammates—playing for each other, not just alongside one another. That chemistry was a key factor in the team’s cohesion and competitiveness.
Development and Emerging Roles
Amidst a senior-heavy lineup, younger players also stepped up when needed. Chief among them was Cara Schiltz, who emerged as a reliable on-ball defender and adapted seamlessly into her expanded responsibilities. Her growth over the season is a promising sign for the future of ELC basketball.
Though most of the starting core was comprised of veterans, the program’s emphasis on development ensured that emerging players were always learning and improving behind the scenes, ready to take the baton when their time came.
A BIG shout-out has to go out to Assistant Coach Scott Stokes. He has been in our program for the past 7 years and has done a phenomenal job with player development, practice planning, and game planning. He has been around this group of seniors since they were in third grade and was their travel team coach for 6 years (3-8 grade). He has been very instrumental in regards to the success of our team.
Responding to Adversity with Unity
Every season has its challenges, but this ELC team was uniquely prepared to handle adversity. Thanks to their years of experience and deep bond as teammates, they approached tough moments with calmness and clarity.
“They responded very well,” said Martindale. “Because these kids have played so many big games together, they’ve been through it all.” That shared history and emotional maturity paid off in pressure situations, especially in the postseason when games come down to a few key possessions.
Looking to the Future: A Rebuilding Year on the Horizon
As the senior class moves on, Coach Martindale is preparing for a transitional year ahead. “It will be a rebuilding year at ELC,” he admitted. With several key contributors graduating, new players will need to step into leadership and playing roles quickly.
The offseason will focus on role identification and refining all aspects of team play. “We’ll work on all the important aspects of the game,” Martindale added. The foundation remains strong, and the culture built by this year’s seniors will serve as a blueprint for the next generation.
Legacy of the 2025 Team
With four straight trips to the state tournament, ELC Girls Basketball has firmly established itself as one of Iowa’s elite programs. The 2025 squad, in particular, exemplified the program’s values: leadership, consistency, toughness, and mutual respect.
Stats and detailed performance records from the season can be found on Varsity Bound Iowa, but the true story of this team goes far beyond the numbers. It’s a story of years-long friendships forged through competition, of young women lifting each other up in pursuit of shared goals, and of a community proud of the athletes representing them on the court.
As the seniors take their next steps—like Haylee Stokes, who will bring her talents to the college stage—the ELC program looks back with pride and forward with hope. Rebuilding years may come, but the standard of excellence remains.
For Coach Don Martindale, this season was more than just wins and losses. It was a culmination of years of hard work and dedication from an unforgettable group of athletes. “They were an unbelievable group of young ladies,” he said. And that, perhaps more than any trophy, is the ultimate mark of a successful season.
 Girls Basketball program this winter season, and Coach Don Martindale couldn’t be prouder. Under his leadership, the 2024–2025 team continued a remarkable run of success, qualifying for the Iowa Class 3A State Tournament for the fourth straight year and making it all the way to the semifinals, falling by just one point to eventual state champions, Mount Vernon.
“It was another GREAT season for us,” said Coach Martindale, reflecting on the campaign with clear pride in his voice. With a seasoned group of players who have been together through countless big games and intense moments, this team showed consistency, maturity, and heart from start to finish.
Stars Who Shone Brightest
The team's accomplishments were fueled by an extraordinary group of athletes, led by Haylee Stokes, a name that will be remembered in ELC basketball history for years to come. The standout point guard, who will continue her career next year at Minnesota State University in Mankato, was the heartbeat of the team. Leading Class 3A in scoring at 23.5 points per game, Haylee was named First Team All-State in Class 4A and was a two-time All-Tournament Team member, serving as team captain in 2022.
“Haylee is a tremendous team leader and tremendous player,” said Coach Martindale. “She meant everything to this program.”
Backing her up was Rylee Yager, a versatile guard/forward who averaged an impressive 15 points and 8 rebounds per game, earning All-State honors as well. Her ability to perform in multiple roles made her indispensable on both ends of the court.
Hillary Ruschy was another pillar of the squad, bringing a physical presence inside while also contributing from the perimeter. “She could play inside or outside and was a very good low-post defender,” noted Martindale. Her all-around game was crucial to ELC’s strong interior defense.
In the supporting cast, Cara Schiltz emerged as a defensive specialist and great teammate. She will not be returning as she was a senior this year. She stepped into a bigger role with poise, earning Lakes Conference Honorable Mention. Julissa Smith, standing at just 5'3)
Share With