Defending 4A girls champion loses in thriller

Two titles will be decided tonight at the girls state basketball tournament. In class 4A, fourth ranked Ankeny took advantage of a late technical foul to upset top ranked and defending champion West Des Moines Dowling 42-39. Leading 39-38 with two-14 remaining, Dowling’s Kara Opp was called for a technical foul and Ankeny’s Erica Junod made both free throws to give the Hawkettes the lead. Ankeny will play second ranked Waterloo Westfor the championship. In class 3A, top ranked Washington jumped out to a 12-point lead at the end of one enroute to a 48-36 victory over Atlantic in semifinal round action. Sophomore standout Stephanie Rich had 18-points to lead the Demons, including 13 in the second half. Third ranked Estherville-Lincoln Central used a 9-2 run early in the fourth quarter to take the lead for good in a 41-38 win over number-three MFL-MAR-MAC.