Harlan tops Grinnell at basketball tournament

In the class 3A quarterfinals at the boy’s state tournament, Sioux City Heelan took a four point lead into the fourth quarter and that allowed the Crusaders to spread the court and use their quickness to hold off Forest City 56-52.Heelan coach Doug Moody’s team erased a six point first half deficit and led by one at the break. He says defense keyed the comeback.Rob Kampman led Forest City with 19-points but says being behind early in the fourth quarter was a big key.Harlan outscored Grinnell 18-6 in the final quarter enroute to a 64-51 victory. Dominic Leinen led Harlan with 18-points and his driving lay-ups early in the game helped set the tempo. He says his coach told him it was his job to take command. Leinen says it was a great win for the Cyclones as he was worried after watching Grinnell on film.Grinnell coach Scott Sharp says Harlan made the key plays down the stretch.In class 2A, Cascade outscored Cedar Falls NU High 17-8 in the second quarter enroute to a 52-44 victory. For the Cougars and coach Al Marshall it is their second trip to the semifinals since 1998.NU High coach Dave Smith says against Cascade’s defensive and deliberate style, it was tough to mount a comeback.