The class 3A semifinals capped off Thursday’s action at the girls’ state basketball tournament. A huge second half run lifted top ranked Pella into the championship game. The Dutch outscored Marion 34-6 during a decisive part of the second half enroute to a 75-63 win.
Junior forward Brooke Gritters says they did the same thing Tuesday as they didn’t have a good start to the game, but picked it up as a team Gritters scored 11 of her 17 points in the second half as the Dutch started getting the ball inside. Marion led 37-33 at the half and opened the third quarter with a 7-0 run. It was all Pella from that point on.
After shooting 57 percent in the opening half the Indians made only nine-of-27 shots in the final two quarters. Marion guard Morgan Paige says they came out and played their game until Pella threw a different press at the and "we just started getting jittery, and it all fell apart." Paige finished with 16 points and seven assists. Marion ends the season 21-3 while Pella takes a 25-1 record into Saturday night’s 3A title game.
Michelle Lund’s free throw with point-nine seconds remaining in overtime allowed Sioux City Heelan to stun second rated Ballard 50-49. Heelan trailed by 11 at the half but opened the third quarter with a 13-0 run. Lund says they picked it up and got a big second half.
Ballard standout Amanda Zimmerman finished with 16 points but was held scoreless in the second half as the Bombers made only 5-of-19 shots after halftime. Ballard coach Merle Olberding says you have to play the last 16 minutes like you play the first 116 and they let Heelan get back in it and "the rest is history."
The future is now for MFL-Mar-Mac. Despite having three sophomores and two juniors in the starting line-up the Bulldogs are headed to the 2A championship game. Sophomore guard Chelsey Lamker scored 17 points and also had six steals in a 51-43 win over Manson-Northwest Webster. Lamker says they never thought they’d get to the title game. Sophomore forward Mika Rodewald led Manson-Northwest Webster with 18 points.
The Bulldogs will take on top ranked Davenport Assumption in tonight’s 2A title game. The Lady Knights rolled past Monticello 65-47. Tonight’s first championship game is in 1A as Newell-Fonda meets Springville.
This afternoon it is the semifinal round in class 4A.