Erica Houge is just going to relax and have fun on the basketball court over the next few months.

The Collins-Maxwell senior is a standout softball player. She has been an All-State pitcher for three years in Class 1A after helping the Spartans reach the championship game in eighth grade when she played third base and was a relief pitcher behind her older sister Mikayla.

On November 8 Houge signed a Letter of Intent to play Division 1 softball at Western Kentucky. With her future plans officially set, she has been at ease over the past few weeks as she finished her fall softball training and transitioned into basketball.

“It really took a load off,” said Houge. “This fall it was kind of just go out and work on my mechanics. Then basketball, it’s the last go-around. I love this sport, so I’m kind of sad. But I’m excited to keep going and play this last season.”  

Softball may be her standout sport, but she has quietly put together an outstanding basketball career at Collins-Maxwell.

“It helps you get away from softball a little,” Houge said. “Basketball has always been my second-favorite sport. I love it.”

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Entering the 2023-2024 girls basketball season Houge had amassed 1,167 points, 403 rebounds, 235 steals and 199 assists. She helped Collins-Maxwell go 54-14 and win a share of two Iowa Star Conference South Division titles during that span.

“The thing that I enjoy the most is her leadership,” said Collins-Maxwell coach Aaron Hill. “The way she practices, the way she communicates, the way she works with the young kids, especially in games. She’s just calm and she makes great decisions.” 

Houge is asked to do a lot on the basketball court. Over the past two seasons she has led the team in scoring, assists and steals and is second in rebounding to senior forward Chloe Wierson.

That was evident during Friday’s 46-21 victory over top rival Baxter at Maxwell. Houge’s outside shot was not falling, but she dominated the boards, came up with numerous steals, dished out seven assists and still finished with 13 points.

“I’m just trying to do what’s best for the team,” Houge said. “I’m not going to be on top of my game every game, but it was nice for Chloe to get going in the second half. She’s giving me my assists and then backside rebounds, sometimes they just always go where I’m at.” 

Entering the Baxter game Houge was averaging 21.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.7 assists over Collins-Maxwell’s first three games.

“If you need 40 she’ll do that,” Hill said. “If it’s a night like tonight where Chloe got in foul trouble she’ll do some extra stuff. I can rely on her for whatever she needs.” 

Wierson overcame early foul trouble to lead Collins-Maxwell in scoring against Baxter with 16 points. She is a senior classmate of Houge’s and they have been best friends on the basketball court since they were little.

More:How best friends Erica Houge and Chloe Wierson make Collins-Maxwell girls basketball a contender

Wierson and Houge displayed great chemistry in the second half on Friday. Houge picked up three of her assists on quick feeds to Wierson either in transition or in the post.

“We’ve been playing together since rec ball and we’ve always had that special connection,” said Wierson. “We’ve always been able to count on each other.” 

The win over Baxter evened Collins-Maxwell’s record at 2-2 overall and the Spartans improved to 2-0 in the ISC South. Houge has faced a lot of extra attention from opposing teams over those four games, but she said she is confident the rest of the team will only get better as a result.

“We know they’re going to have a lot of different defenses,” Houge said. “We’ve handled it the past two years. It really helps having Chloe and our supporting class. They’re getting more comfortable with their role, which I think will help a lot in the long run.” 

Before she starts focusing on softball again, Houge plans on helping the Spartan basketball team pick up some hardware.

“We have big goals,” Houge said. “The past two times we’ve been conference champs it’s been co-champions. One of our big goals is just getting it independently and not sharing it. We’ve had a good start toward that.”