Lynx win, then it’s a crash course on Unity

DES MOINES - Brian Wheatley is a creature of habit.

Shortly after the charter bus departed Troy Mills for Wells Fargo Arena on Thursday, he popped in the DVD.

The choice: 'Hoosiers,” from 1987. Just like always.

He takes at least one line from the fictional character Norman Dale, coach of the Hickory Huskers:

'There's a tradition in tournament play, not to talk about the next step until you've climbed the one in front of you.

'I'm sure going to the state finals is beyond your wildest dreams, so let's just keep it right there.”

That's why Wheatley didn't talk about Friday's Class 2A championship encounter between his third-rated North-Linn Lynx and No. 1 Unity Christian.

He had nothing.

'I haven't thought one second about Unity,” he said after the Lynx defeated three-time defending champion Western Christian, 73-71, in the semifinals. 'I do know we'll have our hands full. And we'll have to come up with another great effort.”

Before the Lynx play for the title, several of them will march to commemorate another.

Part of Friday's slate is the parade of champions, at halftime of the 1A title game. North-Linn won the 1A track title in May.

Nicole Miller and Maddie Boer are among those that will march.

LITTLE TIPPER

The first time Sarah Matus jumped for the opening tipoff, it was as a joke.

'We did it earlier this season, just to be funny,” Matus said.

Now, it's kind of a tradition for the 5-foot-nothing senior to step inside the center circle for the start of the game.

She lost the tip Thursday, but she did score the Orioles' first basket, on a post-up move.

'That's just the way our offense moves,” said Springville Coach Nate Sanderson. 'Everybody has a variety of post moves.”

Matus did the rest of her damage Thursday from the perimeter, hitting six 3-pointers in a 68-57 win over Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton that sent the Orioles to the 1A championship game.

They'll face Newell-Fonda for the title at 6 p.m. Saturday.

FRIDAY'S AWARD LINEUP

Five awards will be handed out at halftime of the 2A championship game Friday.

* Mike Stanley of Avoca is the recipient of the Jack North Award.

* Dan Davis of Urbandale is the Character Counts Coach of the Year.

* Mackenzie Swanson of Harlan is the winner of the E. Wayne Cooley Scholarship.

* Gail Hartigan of Treynor is the recipient of the First Lady Award.

* The Fort Dodge Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department is the inaugural winner of the IGHSAU Executive Director Award.

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com