George-Little Rock controlled the tempo and the game against Mason City Newman. The Mustangs hit nearly 53 percent from the field and did not give up easy baskets against the Newman press in a 65-53 win in the Class 1A quarterfinals at the state tournament.
Newman coach Mike Schutt says the Knights could not generate enough offense. He says nerves may have been a factor as they missed shots and he says every shot was defended, so that had an impact too. Schutt says Newman’s press did not generate enough scoring opportunities.
It wasn’t always pretty but top ranked and defending champion Springville advanced during the opening day of the girl’s state basketball tournament. Katie Eiben scored 15 points and added nine rebounds as the Orioles held off a fourth quarter comeback by Martensdale-St. Marys for a 44-36 win.
Eiben says they found a way to advance and they are going to keep on doing it and "trying our hardest." Eiben says it is a much different feeling coming into the tournament as the defending champ as everyone knows they are defending champions, but she says they just try to ignore it and not let it bother them.
Martensdale-St. Marys scored only eight points the entire first half but coach Jed Alexander’s team outscored the Orioles 16-9 in the final frame and even got to within one point with just under two minutes to play. Alexander says his team gave a great effort, especially on defenst.
Alexander says he was not surprised it was a low scoring contest, as he says both teams have been among the best in the state defensively all season long.