Boys’ Tourney opens with 1A

The Boys’ State Basketball Tournament opened this morning with the quarterfinal round in class 1A. Iowa City Regina center Aliou (uh-loo) Keita (kay-tuh) was unstoppable in scoring 37-points but the Regals state tournament hopes were buried under an avalanche of three-points by Pomeroy-Palmer. Thirteen of the Knights 28 baskets came from behind the arc as the defending champions claimed a 77-60 victory. Pomeroy-Palmer guard Nick Ford says the Knights were able to trade three-for-two because they were unable to stop Keita. He says he had faith that his team would hit the shots. Ford says shooting has always been a major part of the Knight’s program, as he says there’s not a lot to do in Palmer, other than shoot baskets. Ford led Pomeroy-Palmer with 29-points and was one of five players to register a three point basket. Iowa City Regina coach Gary Close says the Knights made some big three-pointers under pressure, and deserve the credit of playing like a champion. The Knights advance to Thursday’s semifinal round and build their current winning streak to 52-games. Boyden-Hull put up impressive numbers on the offensive end but it was defense that carried the day. The Comets held Bellevue Marquette to nine second quarter points to build a 16-point halftime lead enroute to a 65-55 victory. Boyden-Hull coach Bill Francis says they’ve played good defense and rebounded well all year. Marquette coach Jim Squires says the Comet defense forced his team to attempt too many perimeter shots. Squires says Boyden-Hull took all of their post play away and are a great team. Even so, he says his team played hard.