Graettinger-Terril got a key basket from Theresa Peterson to force overtime then outscored WCLT 6-2 in the extra session for a 45-41 win and a spot in Friday night’s 1A championship game. WCLT had momentum early in the fourth quarter as the Tigers built a six point lead.
The managed only one basket in the final six minutes and 44 seconds of regulation and Peterson’s three pointer with a minute 32 to go tied the game. Graettinger-Terril coach Jared Cecil says his team gained confidence when they got to overtime. Cecil says at some points in the game they even wondered if they could get to overtime, but he says you could see their confidence grow in the overtime.
Despite the late scoring drought WCLT coach Matt Erpelding says it was defensive breakdowns that cost the Tigers. He says they gave up open threes and that ended up costing them. The Knights will meet top ranked and defending champ IKM for the crown. Hawks downed Lawton-Bronson 59-44. Nelia Olson led IKM with 18 points despite being under the weather. Olson asked how everyone knows she’s sick as she says people were walking up and asking, "Are you okay?"
Top ranked Sioux City North outscored Cedar Rapids Jefferson 11-0 to open the fourth quarter of play and the Stars went on to 67-52 victory in a class 4A quarterfinal. North led virtually the entire way but Jefferson stayed close. The game was tied eight times and the Stars lead was two at 46-44 heading into the final frame. Sioux City North coach Kirk Walker says they played pretty well, but Jeff kept making runs to get back into the game.
With leading scorer Molly McClelland saddled by foul trouble Ashton McClairen stepped up for West Des Moines Valley. The junior guard finished with 17 points, including seven-of-12 from the field as the fifth ranked Tigers beat number four Des Moines East.With the victory the Tigers avenged a ten point loss to East early in the regular season. McClairen says their defense was a lot better this time and didn’t let them penetrate in the middle.
A less than two minute span of the third quarter turned things around for third ranked Cedar Rapids Washington.The Warriors used an 11-2 run to take the lead for good enroute to a 55-44 win over number six Ames. Trailing 23-22, Kaitlin Armstrong ignited the rally by hitting a three pointer with two minutes and 32 seconds remaining in the third. Armstrong says it was a hard game to win.
The defending champion Des Moines Roosevelt Roughriders scored 36 points in the paint and shot 60 percent for the game as they trounced the Little Hawks 61-26 in the class 4A opener.