Iowa girls’ state basketball 2024: 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 semifinals

No. 1 North Linn (24-1) vs. No. 4 Council Bluffs St. Albert (23-1)

Time: 1:30 p.m.

Top players: North Linn is fueled by its guards. Kamryn Kurt (5-6, sr.) leads the Lynx at 18.6 points and 5.6 assists per game. Macy Boge (5-8, sr.) adds 16.1 points and 4.3 steals per game, and Molly Boge (5-8, jr.) scores 13.0 points per game. St. Albert counters with its size; Avah Underwood (6-0, soph.) and Missy Evezic (6-4, sr.) both score in double digits and collect 7 rebounds apiece per game. Ella Klusman (5-5, sr.) is the Saintes’ leading scorer at 12.2 ppg.

Coaches: Brian Wheatley has compiled a 395-90 record in 20 seasons at North Linn. Dick Wettengel is 384-310 in 31 years, including 171-124 in 13 years at St. Albert.

How they got here: North Linn roared to a 35-6 halftime lead and handled No. 9 Montezuma, 68-38, in the quarterfinals. St. Albert ousted No. 5 Algona Garrigan, the two-time defending champion, 59-48.

BC Moore computer projection: North Linn by 6.

Class 3A championship

No. 3 Solon (23-3) vs. No. 1 Estherville-Lincoln Central (24-2)

Time: 8 p.m.

Top players: University of Iowa recruit Callie Levin (5-9, sr.) is averaging 22.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 5.1 steals per game. Hailey Miller (5-7, sr.) adds 13.5 ppg. ELC has a superstar in Minnesota State commit Haylee Stokes (5-6, jr.), who averages 24.0 points, 6.8 assists and 5.6 steals per game. Rylee Yager (5-9, jr.) adds 15.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per contest for the Midgets.

Coaches: Jamie Smith has compiled an 91-49 record in six seasons at Solon and is 221-140 in 17 years overall. Don Martindale owns a 361-207 record in 25 seasons, including 123-49 in seven years at ELC.

How they got here: Solon advanced with wins over No. 7 Dubuque Wahlert (58-47) and No. 2 Des Moines Christian (49-25). ELC beat No. 12 Forest City (61-47) and No. 4 Mount Vernon (45-37).

BC Moore computer projection: ELC by 1.

Friday’s other games

Class 2A semifinals

No. 1 Dike-New Hartford (24-2) vs. No. 4 Sioux Central (23-1), 10 a.m.

No. 2 Panorama (24-1) vs. No. 3 Westwood (22-0), 11:45 a.m.

Class 1A semifinals

No. 2 Newell-Fonda (23-2) vs. No. 3 Remsen St. Mary’s (24-0), 3:15 p.m.

Class 5A championship

No. 1 Johnston (25-0) vs. No. 3 West Des Moines Dowling (21-4), 6 p.m.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com