Linn-Mar, Marion on similar streaks

DES MOINES — When Linn-Mar and Marion met at Rivalry Saturday, the result was one ugly girls' basketball game.

Linn-Mar shot 15 percent from the field, and somehow won, 39-30, on that cold night Jan. 9 at the U.S. Cellular Center.

The Lions were in the midst of a mild midseason slump, four losses in eight games. Ditto, Marion — the loss to Linn-Mar was the Indians' third in a five-game stretch, albeit against excellent competition.

Times have changed.

Marion hasn't lost since that night, constructing a 13-game winning streak. Linn-Mar is on an 11-game run.

Just call Marion the City of Semifinalists. At least. And maybe more.

Marion (20-4) faces Pella (22-2) in a Class 4A semifinal at the girls' state basketball tournament at 11:45 a.m. Friday at Wells Fargo Arena.

Then, at 1:30 p.m., Linn-Mar (20-4) tangles with Johnston (21-3) in a 5A game.

A lot has changed since Jan. 9.

'The Waukee win (Jan. 23), that was a huge road win against a great team,' Lions Coach Jaime Brandt said. 'It gave us confidence that if we played together, we could be really good.'

Another big win followed, Feb. 5, at Iowa City High. After a close call against Cedar Rapids Prairie in the regional semifinals, Linn-Mar owned the fourth quarter against West Des Moines Dowling to get here, then got a 25-point, 22-rebound performance from University of Iowa recruit Amanda Ollinger in a 60-38 win over Indianola in the state quarterfinals Wednesday.

'Amanda has taken the role of leadership,' Brandt said. 'When she plays hard, her teammates play hard for her. She has gotten more comfortable with her teammates and has made better decisions lately.'

Marion's signature win came Jan. 29, knocking off then-unbeaten Center Point-Urbana, 61-54, to share the Wamac Conference West Division title.

A frightfully young team — three sophomores and two freshmen in the starting lineup — Marion might be on the verge of something very big.

'It's exciting, watching them grow,' Indians Coach Corby Laube said. 'I'm going to savor every one of these wins.'

A victory Friday would put the Indians in uncharted territory. They reached the semifinals in 2008 behind Morgan Paige, then fell — to Pella.

'This is really special,' Mia Laube (Corby's daughter) said after the Harlan game. 'We really feel this is our year.'

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