(Exira) Two state champions will be crowned on Friday night and three more teams will earn titles on Saturday as the 2019-20 Iowa High School Girls Basketball season comes to a close at Wells Fargo Arena with the State Tournament. Ten years ago it was Exira’s time in the spotlight. On March 5th, 2010 the Vikettes finished their final season with a 26-0 record and beat Mount Ayr on Ann Walker’s last second shot in the Class 1A State Championship game.
Over past week KSOM/KS95.7 Sports has caught up with a handful of people with ties to that team. Former players Ann Walker, Hallie Christofferson, Kasie Simpson, and Chelsea Nelson share their memories from the 2010 State Tourney while head coach Tom Petersen provides his insight into what made that squad a special group.
The state tourney included wins over Prince of Peace 63-57, Newell-Fonda 70-58, and Mount Ayr 57-55. Hallie Christofferson starred for the team in their last year before they merged with Elk Horn-Kimballton. Christofferson posted averages of 31.7 points and 16.7 rebounds per game at state. She shot 66.6% from the field and 77.5% from the free-throw line on her way to being named Captain of the All-Tournament Team. Ann Walker was also an All-Tournament team selection. She averaged 12.7 points per game during the season and upped that to 16 points per game during the state tourney.
Maddy Peppers, Chelsea Nelson, Kasie Simpson, Courtney Peppers, Nora Walker, and Jordan Gearheart all saw action at the state tournament. Nelson ended up with the ball in her hands in the final seconds against Mount Ayr. After an inbounds pass from Courtney Peppers intended for Hallie Christofferson was deflected near half court, Nelson picked up the ball and fired it ahead to Ann Walker near the basket. Nelson says, “Somehow, some way it ended up in my hands. I knew where the play was supposed to end up so I turned and threw it to Ann and prayed to God we had enough time on the clock. Ann didn’t miss much so she was able to put that layup in and the buzzer went. It felt like a lot longer than 4.6 seconds, but it was an amazing experience and amazing feeling. I think we were all in shock.”
Ann Walker admits, “I don’t think that we ran it exactly the way it was supposed to be run, but it worked out.” She jokes she’s still walking on cloud nine from time to time when asked about the celebration that followed in the moments, weeks, and months after the shot. “That’s every basketball player’s dream, right? To hit the game winning shot I’m still grateful to have experienced that moment.”
