Last Friday night marked a significant game for both the Perry Jayettes and Winterset Huskies as both schools tried to stay just one game back of Ballard in the tight Raccoon River Conference Race. Perry ended up securing the victory after opening with a quick lead and never looking back. However, for two talented seniors, the game was more than just an important conference game. It was a chance for two future college basketball friends to play against one another. Perry senior point guard Maggie Lowe and Winterset senior point guard Mariah Criswell met three years ago in Ames participating on an AAU travel squad.
“From the very first practice, we really hit it off,” chuckles Lowe. “Mariah and I spent the entire summer traveling to different tournaments with trips to Chicago, Georgia, and even Virginia. It was a lot of fun and the hotel rooms were always a little crazy and entertaining.”
There are many similarities between the two players. Both are 4 year starters for the their respective schools and more importantly, both will continue their basketball journey’s next year at the college level with the Perry guard heading to Wayne State while Criswell takes her talents to the University of Northern Iowa. Both players admit that it can be difficult not to laugh and smile when they face one another.
“Oh yeah, it can be really tough not to smile or joke with Maggie during the game,” added the sharpshooter Criswell. “I think we’ve both gotten a lot better at separating our friendship and taking it more serious when we face one another. It is a lot of fun to play against Perry and players like Maggie and Claire. It tends to bring out the competitive spirit a little bit more.”
Both players apparently figured out how to take the game seriously Friday night. Criswell finished with a career high 37 points while Lowe chipped in 19 for Perry including 11 points in a six minute stretch of the second quarter.
“Yeah, Maggie got me a few times tonight. It will be fun to play against each other at least more time.”
The Jayettes and Huskies will meet later this month in Winterset and the two friends will have one more chance to share the court as friends before heading to their college destination.