At the Boys’ State Basketball Tournament Wapsie Valley advanced to the 2A title game and proved it is not a one man team in the process. The state’s all-time leading scorer Brooks McKowen was limited to nine first half points against Grundy Center but his teammates more than made up the difference. Kurt Hesse had 18 first half points as the Warriors roared out to a 45-14 lead in a 72-40 victory. McKowen says they took him out of the game with constant double and triple teams during the first half, but he says his teammates made them pay. He says most of the teams they played didn’t double and triple him because of the ability of his teammates. It was a nightmarish first half for Grundy Center as the Spartans made just five of 27 shots.Grundy Center coach Rollie Ackmerman says they missed a lot of good looks in the first quarter, which he says was disappointing. Sioux Center built a 12-point third quarter lead then held off a Council Bluffs St. Albert rally for 60-52 victory. St. Albert forward Matt O’Connor poured in 37-points but Warriors coach Todd Arends says holding Falcon guard Zac Gradoville to six was the key. St. Albert coach Shad Coppock says his team gave maximum effort like they did all season and the seniors were the leaders.In class 3A, Jeff Deren capped a miracle comeback by Harlan. Deren hit a pair of free throws with 19-point-six seconds remaining as the Cyclones erased an eight point Davenport Assumption lead in the last 90-seconds for a 67-66 win.Assumption’s Anthony Schumacher nearly won the game for Assumption but his short jump hook rolled all the way around the rim and off as time expired. Schumacher says he about had a heart attack until the ball fell off. Assumption coach Randy Norton says the Knights just could not close out the game.Harlan coach Mitch Osborn says after some heartbreaking losses in recent state tournaments it was nice to be on the other end.
