Des Moines, IA- Head Coach Bryant Porter said the Tiger’s mentality entering the game was “house money” meaning that they had nothing to lose and that is exactly what New London did in their state quarterfinal matchup against Grand View Christian this morning. The Thunder would go on to win 61-51 as they search for their program’s 4^th state championship, but they were on upset alert throughout the first half.

The first quarter belonged to the Tigers as Kade Benjamin worked the lane and Brendan Richey was on fire from deep as he hit his first two threes of the game and had New London out in front 12 to 6. However, Grand View Christian was the #1 seed for a reason as they are anchored by a 7 foot center, Daniel Tobiloba, and a terrific guard in Josh Sanderson as they kept it close to end the first quarter 12 to 10 in favor of New London.

New London would keep the pressure on Grand View Christian with Leo Gebauer hitting two deep jump shots to give the Tigers a 20 to 15 lead halfway through the 2^nd quarter. This is where the storm started brewing for the Thunder as they outscored New London 10 to 2 to end the 2^nd quarter with a 25 to 22 lead.

Coming out of halftime, a Grand View Christian team that had a diet full of iron in the first half as they shot 28.1% from the field started to make everything as 11 of their 15 third quarter shots fell to extend their lead to 13 points at the end of the third quarter, 50 to 37. New London would hang tight as Benjamin, Rylan Marin, and Brendan Richey each made in the third quarter.

The 4^th quarter was a story of momentum being quashed by Grand View Christian as the Tigers would go on a small run, but the Thunder having an answer at every turn. Blaise Porter caught the interest of everyone at the end as he made two incredible three-pointers to make it a 56 to 51 game, but it wouldn’t be enough as Frankie Chiodo and Josh Sanderson would make their free throws late and seal the game. Blaise Porter has had quite the run for the Tigers and finally making it to the state tournament in his senior season, he had this to say after the game,

“I think all the work we put in I feel like it was all worth it at the end of the day. We came up short the last three years, we just kept our head down kept working and finally got here and came up short but its been one of my goals. As a senior I wanted to get the younger guys here to see what its like, so they have that drive in them when next season comes around.”

The Tigers end their season with a 19-7 record and their second state tournament appearance in program history and Porter wouldn’t have it any other way,

“It’s been one of my greatest accomplishments playing basketball and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

High School Basketball

The 8th seed New London Tigers will be taking on the 1st seed Grand View Christian Thunder in the quarterfinal round of the state tournament today at 10:30 am. KILJ will be on the call with pregame at 10:15 am. Head Coach Bryant Porter talked about the Tiger’s mentality heading into the game.

High School Track and Field

The girls’ and boys’ seasons will begin at the A.D. Dickinson Relays at the UNI-Dome. The girls will compete today and the boys tomorrow.

Youth Basketball

March Madness 5 on 5 Basketball Tournament held at Iowa Wesleyan University for 5th – 8th grade girls and boys will take place on March 18th and 19th. Please contact Head Men’s Basketball Coach Jordan Ashton for more details at 319-385-6307 or visit www.infosports.com.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The women’s basketball team will be participating in the NAIA National Tournament beginning tomorrow, March 7th. The Tigers claimed the 15th seed and will be taking on the 2nd seed Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa at 7 pm. KILJ will be on the call with pregame at 6:45 pm.

The 23rd-ranked men’s team qualified for the National Tournament beginning tomorrow. The Tigers captured the 7th seed and will be taking on Evangel University, the 10th seed, in Fort Wayne, Indiana at 12 pm.

The women’s wrestling team will be competing in the 2023 NAIA Women’s Wrestling National Championship which will take place on March 10th.

The men’s wrestling team had Lane Scorpil represent the Tigers at the NAIA National Championship meet over the weekend. Scorpil lost to the 2nd seed Brandon Orum by fall in the first round. In the consolation bracket, Scorpil would move to the second round by forfeit over John Ortegon, but Diego Hernandez would end his day in a sudden victory 9-7 decision.

The Tigers Indoor Track and Field teams had athletes compete in the NAIA Indoor Track and Field National Championship meet and here are some of the results. In the women’s 3,000 meter racewalk Faith Younce finished in 13th and Allison Morris took 16th place. Kenny Tucker finished in 12th for the men’s 3,000 meter racewalk. KeRon Blackwell took 4th place in the men’s high jump with a leap of 6 feet 9.5 inches. The 4th place finish would earn him NAIA All-American Honors, which is the first NAIA track and field All-American since 2011, the first indoor field event All-American since 1998, and only the second Tiger men’s All-American in program history. Bri Hunter had her career best throw of 41 feet 11.5 inches, which placed her in 20th.

The Tiger baseball team lost both games to Southeastern University yesterday with the final of game one being 26-0. Game two went much of the same with the final score being 13-1, the lone run of the game came off a Riley Rankin home run to right field. The Tigers will face off against the University of South Carolina Beaufort tomorrow at 3 pm.

The Tiger softball team dropped both games of their doubleheader yesterday. The Tigers almost completed the comeback against Malone College but came up just short in game one 5-3. Karoline Stratton and Gracie Jevyak tallied an RBI, while Aspyn Harrison tossed 5.1 innings allowing only one earned run and striking out 4. University of Pikeville took game two with a final score of 6-0. The Tigers will take on Fairmont State University tonight at 7 pm.

This Day in Sports History

1923 – MLB St. Louis Cardinals announce their players will wear numbers on their uniforms.

1945 – George Nissen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received a patent for the first modern trampoline.

1954 – First ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament: NC State beats Wake Forest, 82-80, in overtime.