Thursday, March 13
Class 3A Semifinals
#1 Clear Lake 63, #5 ADM 57 — The Tigers had a 57-51 lead with 4:26 left in the 4th quarter but did not score the rest of the game. The Lions scored the final 12 points of the semifinal and will go the finals for the first time in school history. ADM missed their last 7 shots in the final 3:34 and also missed four free throws to finish 22-5. Thomas Meyer led Clear Lake with 26 points, Jaxson McIntire added 15; they go to 26-0 on the season and will play tomorrow in the 3A championship game.
#6 MOC-Floyd Valley 44, #7 Xavier 41 — The game was tied 32-32 early in the 4th quarter when the Dutchmen got a three from Ahman Langton and three FT later it was a 38-32 lead with 3:06 to go. MOC Floyd Valley only made two baskets in the final quarter but Xavier went 4-14 from the field and could not catch up. Blake Aalbers led the Dutch with 23 points, they improve to 22-4 and advance to their first state championship game since a runner up finish in 2006. MOC Floyd Valley will face Clear Lake tomorrow at 3:00 pm. Xavier ends their season at 16-10.
Class 2A Semifinals
#1 Western Christian 53, #4 Grand View Christian 46 — One of the most storied basketball programs in the state of Iowa will go for their 12th state title — they already lead the state of Iowa in basketball state championships. Landon De Stigter hit a three pointer right at the end of the first half to give the Wolfpack a 28-27 lead and Western Christian carried that momentum into the third quarter, outscoring the Thunder 14-6 to take control. Kaden Van Regenmorter led Hull with 18 points while De Stigter put in 16 as the Wolfpack improve to 24-3 and move to the 2A Finals. Grand View Christian falls to 24-2.
#2 West Lyon 69, #3 Unity Christian 55 — The Wildcats are in the state championship game for the first time ever. This was a dramatic up and down game — West Lyon led 18-7 at the end of the first quarter, the Knights came back and actually led 31-29 at the half. The lead changed hands a few times in the third quarter but West Lyon’s Ben Meyer hit a jumper with 2:10 left and that was the basket that put the Wildcats ahead for good. West Lyon was up 60-55 with 2:44 left in the game and Unity would not score again and end their season at 21-5. Dylan Bosma led West Lyon with 20 points and they go to the 1A Championship game with a 23-3 record and face Hull Western Christian tomorrow at 5:00 pm.
Class 1A Semifinals
#1 Marquette Catholic 57, #4 Gladbrook-Reinbeck 45 — Scoring two points in the 4th quarter is not the right ingredient to win but that’s what happened to the Rebels as the Defenders go to 27-1 and move to the finals for the 2nd year in a row. Gladbrook Reinbeck entered the final quarter with a 43-41 lead but went 1-13 from the field and end their season at 23-4. Spencer Roeder led Marquette Catholic with 21 points and the Defenders have a chance at redemption. Last year they lost to North Linn 57-56 in the 1A Championship.
#2 Madrid 71, #3 St. Edmond, Fort Dodge 58 — The Tigers have a chance to have a perfect season — they went to 27-0 in their win over the Gaels. Down 18-14 in the 2nd quarter, Toryn Severson hit back-to-back threes to take a 20-18 lead. After the teams exchanged baskets, the Tigers went on a 12-5 run to lead 34-26 at the half and never trailed the rest of the game. Severson led Madrid with 32 points on 11-22 shooting including 6-10 on three pointers and 4-6 from the free throw line. Hunter Horn had 23 for St. Edmond but their season ends at 23-4. Madrid will go to the state finals for the first time in school history and faced Marquette Catholic tomorrow night at 7 pm.
