MOC/Floyd Valley is a victory away from a second straight 3A title. The Dutchmen shot 60 percent and poured in 46 points in the second half in a 72-57 win over Grinnell. Nate Schipper provided another big lift off the bench for the Dutchmen and finished with 14 points and ten rebounds. He says he likes coming off the bench and says starting doesn’t matter to him. Schipper says you have to realize your role on the team, and if that’s his role, he’ll take it.
They will play top ranked Harlan for the title. Schipper says that’s exciting as they played them in football in his sophomore year and he says it’s the first time they’ve gotten to play Harlan since then.
Grinnell coach Scott Sharp said the MOC pressure took its toll as the game wore on. He says you don’t realize how fast Harlan is until you are out on the floor with them.
Seventh ranked Creston got tentative on offense and it cost them a trip to the 3A championship game. Leading 35-26 in the third quarter the Panthers made only two field goals the final 10 minutes 35 seconds and top ranked Harlan rallied for a 42-41 victory.
Harlan guard A.J. Arkfeld hit the game winner with a baseline jumper just seconds after Creston’s G.G. Harris turned the ball over at mid-court. Arkfeld says they were hoping to get them across half court and get into their defense, but he says they got three guys on the ball handler and Harris lost it and they scored.
Harlan had not led since midway through the opening quarter and trailed by three with just 40 seconds remaining.