The numbers from junior posts Rylee Rasmussen and Sophia Meester are not going to jump off the stat sheet.

But the centers have had an important role to play for the 2025-26 Mustangs as they head to the Casey’s Center in Des Moines this week to defend their Class 3A title.

“They have been willing to do whatever we’ve asked them to do,” Mount Vernon Coach Jacob Misener said.

The Mustangs won a state title last year with a dominating post, Chloe Meester. She averaged 13.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game.

“Chloe was easier to get the ball to,” Rasmussen said. “She was a lot more confident and a lot taller, I’d say, than I am.”

Rasmussen, listed at 5-foot-11, can be a bit undersized in the paint. She is a converted forward who has had to learn all the low-post tricks over the past two years.

“I’m not necessarily one of the best scorers on the team, but if I get an opportunity, I’m able to score,” Rasmussen said. “I’m more of a screener and defensive player.”

And they don’t keep stats for those.

Rasmussen averages 1.2 points and 1.5 rebounds per game. Sophia Meester averages 0.7 points and 0.9 rebounds as her backup.

“I feel like our scoring is when our teammates find us open,” Meester said. “Our team relies on us to make those bunny shots.”

Meester saw the offense run through her older sister last year. It is different this year.

“We just try to see what the guards need,” Meester said. “If we need to screen or stay down low.”

Misener appreciates that the duo has done the blue-collar work around the basket, without any complaints.

“Last year it was force-feed it to Chloe inside,” Misener said. “This year we’re asking them to come out and set screens. And yet also post up really hard.”

And the duo still needs to bring it on the defensive end. Especially when the other team has a high-scoring option at post.

“I’ve taken a lot of pride in that this year,” Rasmussen said.

“They have had some great defensive efforts against posts who have been bigger and stronger,” Misener said. “They have not backed down.”

And Rasmussen can play aggressively, and maybe even get into foul trouble, because she has the 5-foot-10 Meester to back her up.

“You can go with either one,” Rasmussen said. “We are kind of the same player. And it has been good to have her challenge me. We’ve grown together the last three years.”

The top four scorers on the team are guards. Five-foot-8 guard Courtney Franck leads the team with 8.7 rebounds per game.

Both centers know what to do when one of those guards comes slicing through the lane towards the basket.

“Get to the other side (for a rebound),” Meester said. “They are great at scoring when they drive.”

“If the girls guarding them steps up to help on the driving guard, they move for a dump off pass or get into offensive rebounding position,” Misener said. “Or they can seal their girl off and prevent them from helping on the ball.”

And having Rasmussen and Meester inside has helped keep the continuity of the previous two trips to state.

“While throwing it inside might not be option No. 1, having them there keeps our offensive shape and makes it so our perimeter players know where to go, and when,” Misener said. “It is not the most flattering or high-usage spot for them … but they don’t care. They want to do whatever the team needs them to do.”

If the Mustangs can bring home another championship banner this year, they’ll have done their part.

“Our guards are a lot better shooters, and I’m trying to get them open,” Rasmussen said.