Girls’ State Basketball
The championship matchups are now set for Classes 3A, 4A, and 5A with multiple teams battling for a chance to repeat as Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s state champions.
In Class 5A, #5 Ankeny nearly pulled off the ultimate upset after outscoring #1 Johnston 17 to 5 in the second quarter, but the Dragons shored up their play in the second half to exit with the victory, 49-39. Arianna Phillips collected a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
#3 Waukee Northwest needed overtime but punched their ticket to the program’s first trip to the Class 5A championship game after defeating #2 Dowling Catholic, 56-50. The Wolves finished 15 of 16 from the free throw line in the winning effort.
#1 Johnston will be looking for the three-peat tonight at 6 pm when they face off against #3 Waukee Northwest.
In Class 3A, #1 Mt. Vernon nearly squandered a 14-point lead at halftime but the Mustangs hung on to earn a chance to repeat as Class 3A champions, beating #4 Wahlert Catholic, 53-49. Savanna Wright notched 24 points in the win.
A year after making the state tournament for the first time in their program’s history, #2 Maquoketa will now be playing in the championship game after taking down #3 Des Moines Christian, 61-54. The Cardinals outscored the Lions 21 to 9 in the fourth quarter, as Cora Widel netted 18 points.
#1 Mt. Vernon will take on #2 Maquoketa tonight at 8 pm for the Class 3A state championship.
For Class 4A, #2 Dallas Center-Grimes rallied past #3 Norwalk, 47-42, to advance to the championship contest. Ava Smid claimed 16 points in the victory.
#5 Carlisle’s Macy Comito not only took #1 Bishop Heelan’s Melina Snoozy’s state tournament scoring record but also led the Wildcats to the upset victory, 73-60, handing the Crusaders their first loss of the season. Comito finished the night with 42 points, including five three pointers.
The Class 4A championship against #2 Dallas Center-Grimes and #5 Carlisle is scheduled for tomorrow, March 7th, at 2:30 pm.
In today’s action, #1 Hinton, who is looking to defend their Class 2A state title, will take on #5 Denver in the semifinals at 10 am. #2 Rock Valley will look to avoid the upset against #6 Treynor at 11:45 am.
In Class 1A, #1 Bishop Garrigan will face off against #5 Dunkerton at 1:30 pm for their semifinal showdown. #2 Newell-Fonda will take on #3 St. Albert at 3:15 pm.
Girls’ High School Basketball
A handful of local athletes will be participating in the Larry Niemeyer Senior Girls All-Star basketball tournament scheduled for Saturday, March 14th.
In Class 2A, Danville’s Alaina Gourley will play on the Gray Team with their game at 1 pm.
Over in Class 3A, Adalyn Long of Washington will join a trio from the Southeast Iowa Super Conference in Kenna Sandoval of Central Lee and Grace Holsteen and Ellah Wagenbach of Mediapolis on the White Team. They will play at 10:30 am.
Lastly, Kendra Boatman of Keokuk and Burlington’s Mylee Stiefel will join sides for the Gray Team in a combination of Class 3A/4A/5A talent. They will square off at 9:15 am.
Boys’ Postseason Basketball
For the Class 1A State Tournament, #4 Burlington Notre Dame will face off against #5 Bellevue on Tuesday, March 10th, with tip-off at 3:45 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 3:30 pm.
Other Class 1A matchups include: #1 St. Edmond facing off against #8 Woodbine, #2 MMCRU taking on #7 Boyden-Hull, and #6 Marquette Catholic looking to upset #3 Bishop Garrigan.
Southeastern Community College
The men’s basketball team will travel to Indian Hills Community College tomorrow, March 7th, at 7 pm for the Region 11 championship.
The baseball team will compete today with another matchup against Southwest Mississippi Community College.
The softball team will take on Black Hawk College today in a doubleheader.
College Basketball
The Iowa State women’s team fell in the second round of the Big 12 tournament last night, 77-68, at the hands of Arizona State. Addy Brown tabbed a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. The Cyclones will now have to wait until Selection Sunday, March 15th, at 7 pm to see what their postseason fate will be.
The #9 Iowa women’s team will face off against Illinois in the Big Ten tournament tonight at 5:30 pm.
The Iowa men’s team had upset on the mind but #3 Michigan pulled away late to spoil the Hawkeyes senior night, 71-68. Bennett Stirtz led the way with 21 points. The Hawkeyes will close out the regular season with another top ten foe, as they face off against #9 Nebraska on the road on Sunday, March 8th, at 4 pm.
The #6 Iowa State men’s team will look to bounce back tomorrow, March 7th, at 1 pm at home against Arizona State.
This Day in Sports History
1945 – George Nissen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, receives a patent for the first modern trampoline.
1954 – First ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament: NC State beats Wake Forest, 82-80 (OT).
1982 – NBA’s highest scoring game: San Antonio beats Milwaukee 171-166 (3 OT).