Boys’ State Basketball
The Iowa High School Athletic Association’s (IHSAA) state tournament has completed all of its quarterfinal matchups and even has a championship matchup scheduled after yesterday’s competition.
In Class 2A, #1 Kuemper Catholic’s hot start led to the Knights dispatching #8 Union Community to tip-off the day, 70-54. Griffin Glynn tallied 24 points in the victory.
Another quick start but a better finish gave #4 Treynor the 57-48 edge past #5 Grundy Center. Alec Lovely netted 21 points for the Cardinals.
#1 Kuemper Catholic will face off against #4 Treynor tonight at 5:30 pm in the semifinals.
On the bottom half of the bracket, #2 Unity Christian was able to rally from a 10-point halftime deficit to beat #7 Western Christian, 70-64. Tyce VanDonge went off for 28 points.
#3 Regina Catholic demolished #6 Aplington-Parkersburg, 76-54, as Will Litton tallied 21 points in the victory.
The semifinal matchup between #2 Unity Christian and #3 Regina Catholic is scheduled for 7:15 pm tonight.
Class 3A featured an all-time classic last night to decide the championship matchup.
#1 Ballard nearly watched their 14-point fourth quarter lead disappear as #5 Carroll went on a 21 to 9 run to end the game, but it was not enough with the Tigers falling, 57-55. Evan Abbott’s 19 points led the winning effort.
A buzzer-beater, two overtimes, and 142 combined points. The final game of yesterday’s slate saw #2 ADM survive the thriller against #3 Storm Lake, 72-70. Hudson Lorensen scored 38 points, but Trey Bryte nailed the lay-up as time expired to send it to overtime and hit the two game-winning free throws in double overtime.
The Class 3A championship between #1 Ballard and #2 ADM is scheduled for tomorrow, March 13th, at 1 pm.
In today’s action, the Class 4A semifinals will lead off the day with #1 Cedar Falls facing off against #4 Dowling Catholic at 10:30 am, while #6 Johnston will attempt another upset at 12:15 pm against #2 Waukee.
In Class 1A, #4 Burlington Notre Dame will look to knock off #1 St. Edmond today at 2 pm in the semifinals. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 1:45 pm. Nike head coach Dan Kies is hoping to continue their success from behind the three-point arc,
“I mean, it’s one of those things. We’ve got Shay, obviously, and then we’ve got Griffin. Payne can knock down threes, Tatum can knock threes down, Kellan can knock down threes, Eli can knock down threes. I don’t think he hit one today, but they’ve all got confidence to shoot it. So, the big thing there is knowing, hey, trust each other. When they’re doubling, Shay, or trying to triple, whatever, find a spot, get open. And he trusts his teammates, you know, so that’s a big thing.”
#6 Marquette Catholic will look to continue their Cinderella story when they take on #2 MMCRU today at 3:45 pm.
Girls’ High School Basketball
The Iowa Girls Coaches Association released the All-State teams yesterday and three of our local players found a spot on their respective teams.
In Class 3A, Grace Holsteen of Mediapolis earned 2nd Team All-State honors. The Southeast Iowa Super Conference South Division Player of the Year led the Bullettes in scoring with 16.3 points per game to go along with 3.3 assists per contest. Additionally, her leadership helped usher Mediapolis back to the state tournament for the first time in 11 years.
Over in Class 4A, Keokuk’s Kendra Boatman took home 1st Team honors, while Mylee Stiefel of Burlington claimed a spot on the 2nd Team. Boatman, the two-time Southeast Conference Player of the Year, led the conference in points, assists, and steals per game. Stiefel averaged 24.4 points and 4.3 assists per game, as both marks ranked behind Boatman. The Grayhound did lead the conference in three pointers made per game.
High School Track and Field
The IATC Indoor Track Championships will start today at Iowa State University with Classes 3A and 4A competing, while Classes 1A and 2A will run tomorrow, March 13th.
Southeastern Community College
The baseball team will travel to Delgado Community College on Saturday, March 14th.
The softball team will take on St. Louis Community College on Monday, March 16th, for a road doubleheader.
College Basketball
The #7 Iowa and Iowa State women’s teams will see their postseason fate determined on the Selection Sunday Show on March 15th at 7 pm.
The Iowa men’s team advanced to the third round of the Big 10 tournament after dropping 50 second half points to beat Maryland, 75-64. Cooper Koch led the effort with 19 points. The Hawkeyes will face off against Ohio State at 11 am today.
The #7 Iowa State men’s team trounced Arizona State in their second-round matchup in the Big 12 Tournament yesterday, 91-42. The 49-point victory is the largest in Big 12 Tournament history. Milan Momcilovic hit four three pointers for a game high 21 points. The Cyclones will take on #16 Texas Tech today at 11:30 am.
This Day in Sports History
1881 – Andrew Watson makes his Scotland debut as the world’s first Black international football player and captain.
2020 – The 2020 NCAA men’s basketball tournament is canceled over concerns of the spread of COVID-19; first time ‘March Madness’ not held since it began in 1939; women’s tournament also canceled.
2023 – PGA Players Championship, TPC at Sawgrass: Scottie Scheffler becomes the third golfer, after Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, to hold the Masters and Players titles at the same time.