Iowa girls’ state basketball 2023: A closer look at Friday’s games

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

Class 1A semifinal

No. 3 North Linn (23-1) vs. No. 2 Newell-Fonda (23-2)

Time: 3:15 p.m.

Top players: North Linn is led by Kamryn Kurt (5-6, sr.) at 17.0 points, 4.3 assists and 4.1 steals per game. Macy Boge (5-8, jr.) and Molly Boge (5-8, soph.) add 12.5 and 11.6 points per game, respectively. Mary Walker (5-6, sr.) is the top scorer for Newell-Fonda, scoring at a 15.0-point clip. Other double-digit scorers are Kierra Jungers (5-11, jr., 12.3 ppg) and McKenna Sievers (5-5, jr., 11.0 ppg).

Coaches: Brian Wheatley is in his 19th season at North Linn and owns a 371-88 record. His last 13 teams all have won 20-plus games. Dick Jungers has been the architect of Newell-Fonda’s dynasty, leading the Mustangs to a 466-72 mark with four state championships and 14 state appearances in his 21 years.

How they got here: North Linn got 22 bench points in a 68-36 quarterfinal win over No. 8 Winfield-Mount Union. The Lynx owned the fourth quarter by a 26-7 count. Walker scored 24 points on 10-of-13 shooting in Newell-Fonda’s 81-60 victory over No. 9 Woodbine. The Lynx forced 26 turnovers, the Mustangs 25.

BC Moore computer projection: Newell-Fonda by 7.

Class 3A championship

No. 4 Benton Community (23-3) vs. No. 6 Sioux Center (20-5)

Time: 8 p.m.

Top players: Kirkwood Community College commit Jenna Twedt (5-9, sr.) is Benton’s all-time leading scorer and averages 20.3 points and 3.5 assists per game. Much of the rest of the lineup is junior-driven, with McKenna Kramer (5-8) and Emma Townsley (5-8) scoring 9.5 and 9.2 points per game, respectively. Willow Bleeker (5-8, sr.) is the leader for a balanced Sioux Center outfit, scoring 12.2 points and distributing 3.3 assists per game. Margo Schuiteman (6-0, soph.) is a spark off the bench, adding 8.6 ppg.

Coaches: Jeff Zittergruen has compiled a 78-39 record in five years at Benton. Doug Winterfeld is 379-166 record in 23 seasons at Sioux Center.

How they got here: Benton advanced with a 40-34 victory over No. 5 Des Moines Christian in the quarterfinals, then vanquished No. 10 Vinton-Shellsburg, 51-42, in the semifinals. Sioux Center notched wins over No. 3 West Marshall (79-53) and No. 2 Solon (46-44).

BC Moore computer projection: Sioux Center by 4.

Friday’s other games

Class 2A semifinals

No. 1 Dike-New Hartford (24-1) vs. No. 4 Sibley-Ocheyedan (22-3), 10 a.m.

No. 2 Central Lyon (23-0) vs. No. 8 Pocahontas Area (21-4), 11:45 a.m.

Class 1A semifinals

No. 1 Algona Garrigan (24-1) vs. No. 4 Remsen St. Mary’s (24-1), 1:30 p.m.

Class 5A championship

No. 1 Pleasant Valley (25-0) vs. No. 2 Johnston (24-1), 6 p.m.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com