Kiah Stokes, the Linn-Mar sensation who will play for the University of Connecticut next year, might be a part of UConn success in the future, but for now there’s a lot to accomplish at Linn-Mar.

The third-ranked Lions (10-0) matched the Mississippi Valley Conference record for consecutive wins with a 63-49 victory over sixth-ranked Iowa City West on Dec. 21 at Linn-Mar.

Linn-Mar Coach Mike Brandt, by day an elementary school art teacher and by night a successful coach, used a fairly balanced scoring attack and intimidating defense for the triumph. Brandt orchestrated his artwork in the form of solid defense, excellent rebounding and a shot-altering attack that forced poor field-goal shooting by West.

Stokes controlled the opening tip, fled down the court and scored the opening basket with 10 seconds gone. The Lions scored the first 10 points of the game and were never headed.

Turnovers plagued Iowa City West (7-1, 5-1) early in the contest.

Stokes scored 17 points, but had scoring help with Jenna Eells netting 13 points with key shots in the fourth quarter. Mykaela Brandt added 11 points and Kailee Karr had 10.

West High was paced by Allyson Disterhoft with 17 points.

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IOWA CITY WEST(49): Shahena Williams 0 0-0 0, Allyson Disterhoft 5 5-5 17, Brianna Sturtz 1 2-2 5, Shelly Stumpff 2 2-2 8, Jessica Shull 2 0-0 5, McKenzie Piper 3 2-2 9, Paige Yoder 0 3-4 3. Totals: 14 14-15 49.

LINN-MAR (63): Mykaela Brandt 4 3-8 11, Sara Strauel 1 0-1 2, Rachel Thrune 3 2-4 8, Kailee Karr 4 1-2 10, Shanice Cheatham 1 0-0 2, Jenna Eells 5 1-2 13, Kiah Stokes 6 5-8 17. Totals 24 12-25 63.

Halftime — Linn-Mar 32, Iowa City West 19. 3-point goals — Iowa City West 7 (Disterhoft 2, Stumpff 2, Sturtz, Shull, Piper); Linn-Mar 3 (Eells 2, Karr).