2A hits the quarterfinals at state tourney

The class 2A quarterfinals highlighted the start of action this morning at the girls’ state basketball tournament. Grundy Center coach Al Jones decided to stick with his leading scorer and it paid off. With an 11-point lead trimmed to six Nicole Vander Pol was whistled for her fourth foul with five and a half minutes remaining. Jones kept her in the game and she responded with back-to-back baskets and the seventh ranked Lady Spartans went on to down Mi-Prairie 61-49 . Vander Pol finished with a game high 24 points and added nine rebounds. Jones says the key to the win was holding Mid-Praire to 32 percent shooting.Jesse Kleinschmidt led Mid-Prairie with 12 points. The Golden Hawks end their season at 21-6.Sioux Center’s first game at the state tournament since back in 1927 was a success. Sophomore guard Tanya Jansen had 14-points, including a trio of three pointers as the second rated Warriors held off Battle Creek-Ida Grove 47-43. Hansen says they are excited about the chance to play in the semifinal round, and maybe go on to the championship.With time running out in regulation Dubuque Wahlert center Ashley Rogers was holding the ball more than 20-feet at the top of the key looking for someone to pass to. After hearing the desperate cries from her teammates and fans Rogers launched a shot which banked in as the buzzer sounded as the Golden Eagles stunned second rated Davenport Assumption 38-35 in a class 3A opening round game. She says she her everyone say shoot it, and she relied on them.Rogers finished with 19-points but most came near the basket as she dominated the paint. The last shot was her first three pointer of the season.