After spotting Earlham an early 12 point lead top ranked Central Lyon took command in the Class 1A quarterfinal. Lexi Ackerman poured in 25 points and added 16 rebounds as the Lions cruised to a 67-43 victory.
Central Lyon is making its first trip to the state tournament. “It’s pretty sweet to be down here since no one else has and having the game we just did and showing everyone we are not done yet an going to continue on and hopefully make that championship game,” Ackerman says.
Making its first trip to state in 32 years Earlham ends the season with a record of 16-10. Earlham coach Kristin Sheffield asys everyone was excited as there are a lot of people in the community that were on the last team to make the tournament.
In its first game ever at the girls state basketball tournament Burlington Notre Dame came away with a victory. The fifth ranked Nikes jumped out to a 14 point halftime lead and cruised to a 60-43 victory over seventh ranked Colo Nesco.
Sophomore Taylor Hicks led the way with 17 points and says they were not satisfied with the big lead at the half. She says they saw in the previous game that you can lose a lead in a hurry and knew they had to come out and play hard.
Danielle Bender scored 22 points and grabbed 17 rebounds as Bellevue Marquette edged fourth rated AR-WE-VA 65-57 in overtime in a 1A quarterfinal. It was a measure of revenge for Marquette which lost to AR-WE-VA at the state tournament in 2011.
Second ranked Newell-Fonda took command by outscoring Villisca 29-4 in the second quarter enroute to a 75-28 victory
In Class 2A number one Western Christian beat Pella Christian 65-28. Number 10 Aplington-Parkersburg beat #7 Panorama 48-38.
Number two Lawton Bronson held off a 4th quarter rally by Iowa City Regina for a 71-67 win.