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Iowa girls’ state basketball 2024: A closer look at Saturday’s games
Clear Creek Amana faces Waverly-Shell Rock for the 4A championship, then it’s North Linn and Newell-Fonda for the 1A title
Mar. 1, 2024 10:00 pm
DES MOINES — Capsules for Saturday’s games involving area teams at the Iowa high school girls' state basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena.
Class 4A championship
No. 1 Clear Creek Amana (25-0) vs. No. 2 Waverly-Shell Rock (25-0)
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Top players: Clear Creek Amana’s Averie Lower (5-11, soph.) averages 17.6 points per game, shooting 59 percent from the field, 49 percent from distance and 87 percent from the line. Ava Locklear (5-11, sr.) adds 11.5 points, 10.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. The Go-Hawks counter with a balanced crew, with four players averaging at least 8 points. Katelyn Eggena (6-1, sr.) is the leader at 13.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, with Brenna Bodensteiner at 11.5 ppg.
Coaches: P.J. Sweeney has coached 10 years at Clear Creek Amana and owns a record of 151-74. Greg Bodensteiner has compiled a 294-102 mark in 17 seasons at WSR.
How they got here: Clear Creek Amana breezed past Gilbert, 68-30, in the opening round, then held off No. 5 North Polk in the semifinals, 50-48. Both of Waverly-Shell Rock’s first two games went down to the wire, beating Sioux Center and No. 3 Sioux City Heelan by decisions of 55-51 and 41-37.
BC Moore computer projection: CCA by 8.
Class 1A championship
No. 1 North Linn (25-1) vs. No. 2 Newell-Fonda (24-2)
Time: 7 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. Four Newell-Fonda players average in double figures, led by Kierra Jungers (5-11, sr.) at 16 points per game and Kinzee Hinders (6-1, jr.) at 15.1 ppg.
Coaches: Brian Wheatley has compiled a 396-90 record in 20 seasons at North Linn. Dick Jungers has coached 22 seasons at Newell-Fonda and owns a 490-76 mark.
How they got here: North Linn whipped No. 9 Montezuma, 68-38, in the quarterfinals, then subdued No. 4 Council Bluffs St. Albert, 60-37, in the semis. Newell-Fonda’s state victims were No. 7 Calamus-Wheatland (68-30) and No. 3 Remsen St. Mary’s (60-35).
BC Moore computer projection: Newell-Fonda by 7.
Saturday’s other games
Class 2A championship
No. 1 Dike-New Hartford (25-2) vs. No. 2 Panorama (25-1), 4:45 p.m.
Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com
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