The girls’ state basketball tournament is underway in Des Moines with the quarterfinal round in class 1A. As the state’s all-time leader in rebounds, Keokuk Cardinal Stritch’s Jennifer Goetz is best known for her work on the backboards but it was her passing that helped the Lionettes down Newell-Fonda. Goetz had five assists and her quick passes off set Newell-Fonda double teams as Stritch posted a 66-49 win in the 1A opener. Stritch coach Tony Lambros says Goetz showed she is much more than just a scorer.Newell-Fonda coach Dick Jungers says while there press forced turnovers it also gave Stritch some easy looks.Goetz did her usual damage in the scoring and rebounding department with 22-points and 11-boards. Newell-Fonda’s full court pressure forced 24 turnovers and kept the game close until the Lionettes closed the game on a 14-2 run. Seventh-rated Rockwell City-Lytton built a 14-point first half lead then had to hold off a furious second-half rally by George Little-Rock for a 55-52 victory. Rockwell City-Lytton coach Dave Birks says they had a good start and it was exciting to hold on. George-Little Rock coach Ken Roseberry saw his team battle back after making just nine of 29 shots in the first half.Sheffield SCMT improved to 25-0 on the season as the Spartans built a 12-point third quarter lead then held off a couple of late rallies by Bellvue Marquette for a 59-50 victory. Marquette had trouble shooting the entire game and managed just 34-percent for the game.
