(Des Moines) Harlan held leads of 6-5 after one quarter and 14-13 at halftime, but the Cyclones were outscored 11-4 in the third quarter and lost a Class 4A state tourney opener on Tuesday against Ballard, 38-27.
The 2nd rated Bombers held Harlan to just 2/15 shooting from 3-point range and made 11/15 free-throws in the fourth to seal it. Ballard improves to 22-1 and heads into the state semifinals on Thursday. They were led by Molly Ihle with 12 points.
Harlan’s top scorer was Claire Schmitz with 11 points and the junior also hauled in 11 rebounds. Harlan waves goodbye to seniors Jocelyn Cheek, Ashley Hall, Brecken Van Baale, Macie Leinen, and Julia Schechinger. Coach Zach Klaassen comments on what this class brought to the program. “Just their work ethic and you could see the positivity and trying to bring up the other kids. I think the way they brought the team together this year it felt more like a family atmosphere instead of just a group of individuals playing basketball. That’s why we grew so much over the last couple of years and then took that final step to make it to the state tournament this year. They don’t want to let each other down. They want to work hard for each other and they care about each other so much.”
Harlan’s one point halftime lead was quickly erased with five quick points from Ihle on a 3-pointer, steal, and layup. It was part of a 9-0 stretch for the Bombers which opened up a 22-14 advantage. Coach Klaassen says, “They came out in the third quarter and put one on us quick. We called time out and they scored a couple of more points. We ended up scoring after that, but the energy they brought out to start the third quarter we didn’t match it necessarily and we got out of position on a couple of rotations in that 1-2-2 and they made us pay.”
The closest Harlan would get the rest of the game was within four at 24-20 early in the 4th. Harlan shot just 28.9% in the contest. Their season closes at 17-6.
Seniors Brecken Van Baale, Ashley Hall, Jocelyn Cheek, Macie Leinen, and Julia Schechinger:
