Not nearly enough, actually. Throw in inconsistencies at the defensive end and head coach Nicole Muhlenbruch concedes that there is a lot of work to do if the Lynx want to be competitive.

The struggles at both ends of the court continued Tuesday night, as Pocahontas Area used a 21-4 run over the final 81⁄2 minutes of the first half to take command in a 65-32 romp over the Lynx. WCHS (0-3) pulled within 10-8 on an inside bucket by Reese Casey with 35 seconds remaining in the first quarter, but the Indians (2-0) rattled off 16 of the next 18 points and never looked back.

Pocahontas Area led 31-12 at the half and eventually built the lead to 35 points to start the running clock over the game’s final six minutes.

A 13-point third quarter was a step in the right direction for the Lynx, and it’s their only double-digit scoring quarter so far this season. They’re averaging just 26.7 points per game.

WCHS junior forward Livia Kasch (34) takes a short jumper on Tuesday. She scored 12 points in the Lynx loss to Pocahontas Area. DFJ photo/Troy Banning

“The girls know we’ve got to score more in order to win games,” Muhlenbruch said. “We’ve got to be in that 45 range to win games, but we’re trying to get a lot of kids experience because we want to play full court.”

WCHS had only four field goals at the break, but got a better handle on Pocahontas Area’s full-court press in the third quarter that led to some easy buckets in transition. The Indians’ aggression also led to plenty of free throw opportunities, but the Lynx connected on just 4 of 15.

“We’ve talked about how we’ve got to knock the free throws down, but we’re getting better,” Muhlenbruch said. “We’re better than we were two weeks ago.”

Junior forward Livia Kasch was a bight spot in the loss, as she became the first WCHS player to score in double figures this season with 12 points, eight of them coming in the second half including a bucket from close range at the buzzer to end the third quarter. Kasch also led the team in rebounds (eight), steals (three) and assists (two).

“She plays hard, she practices hard and she’s smart out there,” Muhlenbruch said of Kasch. “That’s the type of play that we need.”

DFJ photo/Troy Banning

Kelly Stoakes and Abby Gallentine both knocked down second-half 3-pointers and scored five points each. Casey and Chloe Andersen chipped in four points each; Casey and Stoakes both ripped down four rebounds.

Stoakes also had two steals, but it was what she thought was a third steal early in the second quarter that played a pivotal role in the Indians’ runaway. Stoakes was called for a reach-in foul, her second, and went to the bench for the remainder of the first half. And without its point guard on the floor, WCHS struggled against the press. The Lynx had 14 first-half turnovers and finished with 28.

Abby Oberhelman notched a game-high 20 points for Pocahontas Area and she was joined in double figures by teammates Carly Janssen (13) and Akaysa Duitscher (12). Duitscher continually used dribble penetration to get into the lane, and she either scored or fed teammates for each baskets.

WCHS will open up North Central Conference play Friday night when it hosts Humboldt (1-2) in a JV/varsity doubleheader. The varsity contest will get underway at 7:45 p.m.

Pocahontas Area 65, Webster City 32

DFJ photo/Troy Banning

Tuesday at Pocahontas

Webster City (0-3) — Chloe Andersen 2 0-1 4, Kelly Stoakes 1 2-4 5, Adeline Tesdahl 0 0-0 0, Alley Odland 0 0-3 0, Jill Symens 1 0-0 2, Reese Casey 2 0-2 4, Abby Gallentine 2 0-0 5, Livia Kasch 5 2-5 12, Delainey Bargfrede 0 0-0 0, Ava Peterson 0 0-0 0, Addy Beaulieu 0 0-0 0. Totals: 13 4-15 32.

Pocahontas Area (2-0) — Laura Hinners 0 0-0 0, Caroline Christians 1 0-0 3, Madison Vial 1 0-0 2, Carly Janssen 6 0-3 13, Akaysa Duitscher 5 1-2 12, Jenna Vonnahme 4 0-3 8, Megan Sump 1 0-0 2, Paige Melohn 2 3-4 7, Abby Oberhelman 9 2-4 20, Natalie Point 0 0-1 0, Jade Kelly 0 0-0 0. Totals: 30 6-17 65.

Web. City 8 4 13 7 — 32

Poc. Area 13 18 22 12 — 65

DFJ photo/Troy Banning

3-point field goals — WC 2 (Stoakes, Gallentine); PA 3 (Christians, Janssen, Duitscher). Rebonds — WC 24 (Kasch 8, Casey 4, Stoakes 4). Steals — WC 7 (Kasch 3, Stoakes 2). Assists — WC 6 (Kasch 2). Turnovers — WC 28. Team fouls — WC 16, PA 13. Fouled out — WC: Casey.