Class 3A First Round
#3 Williamsburg 52, #6 Des Moines Christian 49 — The Raiders withstood a furious rally from the Lions and held on to advance. Carly Rich led Williamsburg with 19 points and Zoe Allen added a double double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. With a 24-2 record, the Raiders will face #2 seed Wahlert in the 3A Semfinals on Thursday, March 6 at 3:15. Des Moines Christian ends their season at 21-4 — Addy Oetker had 20 points in the losing effort.
Class 4A First Round
#8 Xavier, Cedar Rapids 71, #1 Bishop Heelan Sioux City 57 — The first number one seed has fallen thanks to the Saints. Libby Fandel — a Kansas Jayhawk recruit — led the way with 37 points and a new state tournament record 25 rebounds. Xavier used an 18-5 2nd quarter to take control of the game and advance to the semifinals with a 20-4 record. The loss ends the Crusaders three straight year run to the semifinals and they finish 21-3 overall.
#4 Norwalk 56, #5 Central DeWitt 54 — Pearl Brown’s offensive rebound and lay-up was hit at the buzzer as the Warriors advance to the 4A Semifinals. Freshman Braylyn Birmingham drove the lane but her shot just missed and Brown was there to finish it off — Bailey Birmingham led Norwalk with 21 points and Braylyn added 16 as the Warriors go to 23-1 and will face Xavier in the semis on Thursday, March 6 at 5 pm. The Sabers end their season at 20-5.
#2 North Polk 47, #7 Sioux Center 45 — The Comets got a go ahead three pointer from Fayth Sullivan with 1:36 to go and Jada Podney had two steals in the final 25 seconds to go to the semifinals for the third year in a row. Sullivan came off the bench to lead with 13 points including 3-6 on her threes as North Polk goes to 23-2. Maryn Franken had 19 for the Warriors but they end their season at 21-3
#6 Dallas Center Grimes 49, #3 Maquoketa 44 — In a nip and tuck 4th quarter, the 2023 state champion knocked off the Cardinals. Ava Schmid led DCG with 13 points and 11 rebounds and Tessa Jones added 12 as the Mustangs go to 20-4 and will play North Polk in the 4A Semifinals on Thursday, March 6 at 6:45 pm. Maquoketa trailed by as many as 16 in the 2nd quarter but their rally falls short and the Cardinals finish 21-3.
Class 2A First Round
6:45 pm: #1 Eddyville Blakesburg Fremont (24-0) v. #8 Treynor (21-3)
8:30 pm: #4 North Mahaska (22-2) v. #5 Central Lyon (19-4)
