Submitted photo: The state-bound Newell-Fonda girls basketball team includes, front row (left to right): Kinzee Hinders, Anna Mercer and Jaicee Vanderhoff. Second: Alyssa Hutchinson, Mareni Brabec, Jocee Walsh, Ava Vie, Camryn Purhmann and Miya Hutchinson. Third: Lilliane Weinzetl, Ellie Sievers, Rylee Hogrefe, Danika Meyer and Ellie Walsh. Back: head coach Dick Jungers, Abby Leu, McKayla Hanson, Bailey Mandernach, Ella Roberts, Vienna Wingert, assistant Courtney Darrow and assistant Julie Sievers.

DES MOINES — For the third-ranked (Class 1A) Newell-Fonda girls and legendary head coach Dick Jungers, there is nothing more exciting than making the trek to Wells Fargo Arena in March for the state tournament.

The Mustangs (21-3 overall) will begin pursuit of their fifth state championship here Wednesday against No. 7 Springville (20-4) at 6:45 p.m. in the 1A quarterfinal round.

Newell-Fonda has now qualified for the elite eight in each of the past eight seasons, making 16 trips overall under Jungers. The coach boasts an overall record of 511-81 on the sidelines, with all four of the school’s state titles and six more runner-up finishes — including each of the past two seasons.

“It’s always a new and fun experience,” Jungers said. “It’s about making memories for these kids and giving them the opportunity to play for a state title.”

Newell-Fonda forced Coon Rapids-Bayard into a fast, frantic pace of play in a regional final win last week in Fort Dodge. It marked the second consecutive season the Mustangs have knocked the Crusaders out, and they won those two games by a combined 78 points.

“I’d call it chaos,” Jungers said. “We like it fast and feel like over the course of 32 minutes, that will give us the edge to come out with a win.”

This version features a blend of players led by seniors Jaicee Vanderhoff, Kinzee Hinders and Anna Mercer. Hinders, who has signed with Briar Cliff University, has scored over 1,200 points in her career.

Juniors Mareni Brabec, Jocee Walsh and Ava Vie are joined by sophomore Rylee Hogrefe and freshman Ellie Sievers to form the nucleus.

Hinders averages over 19 per game, Sievers is at 14 and Walsh eight as the Mustangs average over 70 a night while recording 18 steals per game.

Under Jungers, the Mustangs have become a constant state contender and one of the premier programs regardless of class. Newell-Fonda is 92-12 over the past four seasons, with Jungers now owning a career record of 511-81.

“These kids work hard in the offseason to earn this,” Jungers said. “When you know what they have put in, that’s just a great feeling to see them qualify for state.”

Newell-Fonda assistant coach Courtney (Vaughn) Darrow is a Fort Dodge Senior High graduate and former multi-sport standout. She is also the head softball coach for the Mustangs.