It did not take Linn-Mar long to show why it is the favorite in class 4A. The top ranked Lions roared out to a 26-9 lead at the end of one enroute to a 73-60 victory over Sioux City North. Twenty-eight of the Lions’ 46 first half points were in the paint. Zach Bohannon had 12 in the opening half and added nine rebounds as the Lions built a 22 point halftime advantage.

A cold start doomed Sioux City North which made only 9 of 31 shots in the opening half. Sioux City North coach John Vanderloo says they missed seven layups in the first half and he says you can’t do that and beat anyone.

Urbandale used a stifling defense to limit Ankeny to just four first quarter points as the fourth ranked J-Hawks cruised to a 52-35 victory in a class 4A opening round game. Urbandale coach Brad Bjorkgren says all of their defenders contested Ankeny’s shots.. It was The J-Hawks third victory over Ankeny this season. Matt Opdahl led the J-Hawks with 15, Jared Norris added 12. Kevin Smith led Ankeny with 12 points. The Hawks shot only 23 percent in the game.

Bettendorf came into the state tournament with something to prove and the Bulldogs played like it on Wednesday night. Bettendorf took the lead for good by outscoring second ranked Iowa City West 16-8 in the second quarter and went on to pound the Trojans 60-40 in a class 4A opening round game. Bettendorf’s Troy Rorer who came off the bench to score 15 points and add seven rebounds. Rorer says they wanted to come out and show they could play with the other teams.

Iowa City West hit just 32 percent for the game and for the most part it was an uninspired effort according to coach Steve Bergman. Bergman says they weren’t talking and picking each other up and doesn’t know if that’s because they were nervous, but says it was not the same team he’s coached all year.

Zach Derby had 12 to lead Iowa City West.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy pulled off the perfect inbounds pass at the right time. From right in front of the Cougar bench Jake Hughes fired a pass under the basket to Cimion George who scored with six seconds as third ranked Cedar Rapids Kennedy rallied in the final minute to edge Des Moines Lincoln 67-65 in a class 4A opening round game. George says they practice the play all the time and he made eye contact with Hughes and made the play.

Lincoln led by two late but opened the door for Kennedy by missing two free throws and committing a turnover in the final minute. Lincoln coach Mike Swaim says it’s a huge disappointment for the team which had a goal of not just playing in the tournament, but winning it.

Waverly-Shell Rock burst out to a big early lead and never looked back. The eighth-rated Go-Hawks led 31-4 with just under three minutes to go in the second quarter and cruised to a 60-38 victory over Pella in a 3A opening round game. Waverly-Shell rock dominated the opening half in every fashion. they shot 56-percent, including five of eight from three point range.

Dan Larsen led the Go-Hawks with 15 points and says they achieved their goal of jumping out early. On the other side nothing went right for Pella. The Little Dutch made only 4 of 33 shots in the opening half.