Linn-Mar girls downed by SE Polk in regional final

PLEASANT HILL - It wasn't so much that things were going poorly for Linn-Mar.

Everything just happened to be clicking on all cylinders for Southeast Polk.

'They just made some big shots and we didn't have an answer for it,” said Linn-Mar junior Amanda Ollinger.

Timely shots and the roar of the Rams' home crowd were enough to put Southeast Polk into a rhythm to beat the Lions, 56-45, lst night in a Class 5A regional final. No. 6 Southeast Polk (17-6) advanced to the state tournament on the strength of a 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter that was capped by a 3-pointer from Ashton Donels.

The Rams held the No. 8 Lions (16-8) scoreless almost halfway through the fourth quarter, largely by changing from zone to man-to-man. Linn-Mar Coach Jaime Printy Brandt said the way her team began the game - and responded after the run - is a credit to the mentality it has displayed all season.

'We just kept believing,” Brandt said. 'We were trying to put a little more pressure on them and tried to drive and get our shooters some free looks. They did all I ask, which is play as hard as they can.”

'We just didn't hit our shots tonight, and it happens,” said Ollinger, who had 14 points and 17 rebounds. 'Everyone fought so hard.”

Brandt's first year at the helm of her alma mater won't end at the state tournament, but the things she's learned, she said, have been invaluable.

'It's been amazing,” Brandt said. 'This group of girls, I couldn't have asked for a better group. They came in and worked hard every single day for me and they got along off the court. They're good kids.

'I'm just thankful Linn-Mar wanted me here.”

The Lions will graduate five seniors, but a core led by Ollinger with a full-year under Brandt's direction bodes well. Ollinger, who went to Linn-Mar as a transfer from Cedar Rapids Jefferson at midseason, said the acceptance she felt from everyone from the start has meant a lot to her.

Ollinger said the confidence she saw grow in her teammates late in the season is what has been so special for her.

'(Brandt) and the coaching staff just set a tone,” Ollinger said with tears in her eyes. 'If you work hard, you'll get what you want out of the game, which is to win. We fell short this year, but we'll come back next year.”