Defending champ and fourth ranked Solon held off a late rally by number ten Mid-Prairie of Wellman for a 50-46 win. Jesse Carson scored 14 points on five of eight shooting. The Spartans connected on only 14-of-24 from the foul line and Carson says that is an area that needs to be shored up, as he says those will be key. Carson says it’s a new court to them and they will have to get used to it.
Michael Aldeman led Mid-Praire with 20 points. Tanner Miller added 18 and said Solon’s zone defense was tough to solve. Aldeman says it’s impossible to prepare for their zone with the length they have and the way operate it.
Fifth ranked IKM-Manning used a 15-0 run in the second half to take the lead for good in a 55-48 win over Turkey Valley in a class 2A quarterfinal round game. Wolves guard Bryce Irlbeck led the way with 17 points, including 11-of-15 from the foul line. Irlbeck says they knew they were not going to give up.
Turkey Valley led 35-28 late in the third quarter before the Wolves rallied. The Trojans also hurt their own cause by committing 18 turnovers. Turkey Valley coach Mike Kuennen says they are typically the one that causes turnovers instead of making them.
In Class 3A, Mt. Pleasant down Western Dubuque 60-50, Pella beat Forest City 85 to 50 and Sioux City Heelan beat Carroll 61-52.