Iowa boys’ state basketball 2021: A closer look at Wednesday’s games

DES MOINES — Capsules for Wednesday's games involving area teams at the Iowa high school boys' state basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena.

Class 1A semifinals

No. 1 North Linn (26-0) vs. No. 3 Martensdale-St. Marys (25-0)

Time: 6 p.m.

Overview: North Linn won its quarterfinal Monday handily over South Winneshiek, 77-53. The Lynx had four players in double figures scoring wise: Tate Haughenbury (19), Dylan Kurt (15), Austin Hilmer (13) and Ben Wheatley (13). North Linn shot 58 percent from the field and forced 22 South Winn turnovers with its pressure, trapping defense ... Martensdale-St. Marys, meanwhile, survived Easton Valley, 51-45, in a doozy of an overtime quarterfinal between unbeaten teams Monday. Six-foot-4 forward Trey Baker had 20 points and 14 rebounds. Guard Carson Elbert added 19 points ... This is the fifth consecutive year North Linn is in a semifinal game. Martensdale-St. Marys made its first appearance at state last season, losing in the quarterfinals to Montezuma. This is a game pitting North Linn's pressure D against MSM's physical nature.

No. 7 Montezuma (23-2) vs. No. 6 Grand View Christian (21-1)

Time: 8 p.m.

Overview: Montezuma knocked off second-seeded Lake Mills in an overtime quarterfinal Monday, 64-61. Senior guard Trey Shearer showed why he is considered one of the best players in the state, scoring a game-high 25 points, including hitting five 3-pointers. Monte also got 18 points from guard Cole Watts and 14 from forward Eddie Burgess. Those are the Braves' primary players ... GVC defeated Remsen St. Mary's in Monday's quarters, 54-49. Guard Manny Hammonds led the way with 20 points. That also is his team-leading season scoring average. The Thunder have four guys who average double figures in scoring ... This is Montezuma's third consecutive trip to the 1A semifinals. It lost in 2019 to Grand View Christian. GVC first qualified for state in 2016, losing in the quarterfinals, but going on to win three consecutive 1A championships ... This is a matchup between two undersized clubs, with one big exception (pun intended): GVC 7-foot sophomore Daniel Tobiloba (10.3 ppg, 15.9 rpg).

Wednesday's other games

Class 4A Quarterfinals

Johnston (10-4) vs. West Des Moines Dowling (12-8), 10 a.m.

No. 1 Cedar Falls (19-0) vs. Dubuque Senior (12-8), Noon

No. 3 Ames (17-3) vs. No. 4 Council Bluffs Lincoln (19-4), 2 p.m.

No. 2 Waukee (13-2) vs. No. 5 Pleasant Valley (19-3), 4 p.m.

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