Iowa high school boys’ basketball scores: Tuesday’s Class 4A and 3A substate finals roundup

The 2023 Iowa high school boys’ state basketball tournament field is set in all four classes after eight Class 4A substate finals and one in Class 3A Tuesday night.

Here’s a glimpse at each game, plus a look at the 4A and 3A state brackets released by the Iowa High School Athletic Association

» 2A and 1A: Saturday’s substate finals roundup and state tournament brackets

Tuesday’s Class 3A substate final

No. 6 Newton 60, Solon 46

Newton (18-5) outscored Solon 24-13 in the fourth quarter at Oskaloosa to advance to its 10th state tournament and first since a Class 4A bid in 2017. The Spartans (18-6) were up 14-10 at the end of the first quarter, but the Cardinals had a 22-21 edge at the half. Newton’s Brody Bauer scored 20 points. [Prep Hoops]

» Monday’s games: Class 3A substate finals roundup

Class 3A boys’ state basketball tournament

Quarterfinals — Tuesday, March 7

No. 1 Bondurant-Farrar (23-0) vs. Algona (17-7), 2 p.m.

No. 6 Newton (18-5) vs. No. 7 North Polk (19-5), 3:45 p.m.

No. 4 Cedar Rapids Xavier (18-6) vs. Des Moines Hoover (15-9), 7:15 p.m.

No. 5 Marion (19-5) vs. No. 10 Sioux City Heelan (18-6), 5:30 p.m.

Semifinals — Thursday, March 9

2 p.m.

3:45 p.m.

Final — Friday, March 10

5 p.m.

Tuesday’s Class 4A substate finals

No. 1 Cedar Rapids Kennedy 76, North Scott 38

Routine might not be the best word to describe Cedar Rapids Kennedy’s Class 4A substate final boys’ basketball game Tuesday night at West High School against North scott.

Boring has a negative connotation to it, so that’s not it. So let’s try methodical.

The way the top-ranked Cougars went about securing a 76-48 win and a second consecutive berth in the state tournament that went along with it was rather methodical, kind of mundane.

Not an explosive start, but a lead. A little more of a lead as the game continued, then a bit more of a spread, a bit more, a bit more. No huge runs or tons of fast-break points off turnovers.

Just something here, something there, a lot of defense everywhere.

“Yeah, it kind of felt like a business trip today a little bit,” said Kennedy Coach Jon McKowen. “Things weren’t easy. They’re good, physical on your drives, so you’ve got to play with good balance and good pace. Offensively they play at a different pace, they slow it down, kind of methodical. The game wasn’t up and down, possessions mean more in substate games.”

» Read more from The Gazette’s Jeff Johnson

⧉ Related article: Top-ranked Kennedy back to state with methodical 76-48 substate final win over North Scott

Ames 67, Linn-Mar 49

Linn-Mar (10-14) was up 15-13 after the first quarter, but defending state champion Ames (17-7) ended the Lions’ Cinderella postseason run that included a win over No. 5 Indianola in the substate semifinals. The Little Cyclones took a 28-24 halftime lead and pulled away in the second half at Nevada for a third straight trip to state.

No. 2 Waukee 49, Dallas Center-Grimes 38

Last year’s Class 3A state champion, Dallas Center-Grimes (14-10) stayed close for most of a low-scoring game, but Waukee (22-2) prevailed at Waukee Northwest to get to state after a one-year hiatus. The Warriors won it all in 2021, the last year before the school district opened a second high school.

No. 3 Waukee Northwest 73, Des Moines Roosevelt 62

Cade Kelderman scored 22 points at West Des Moines Dowling as Northwest (21-2) kept its substate record perfect in two years as a program. Now, the Wolves will search for their first win at state. Des Moines Roosevelt (14-10) trailed 40-26 at halftime. [96.9 The Bull]

No. 4 West Des Moines Valley 66, Waterloo West 41

Valley (21-2) led West (17-6) after every quarter in the opener of a doubleheader at Marshalltown to earn its 16th trip to the state tournament and first in five years.

No. 6 Norwalk 64, No. 9 Sioux City East 58

Norwalk (20-3), the 2020 Class 3A state champion, clinched its first spot in the Class 4A state tournament. The Warriors trailed 19-10 after one at Denison but Redek Born poured in 15 first-half points as the Warriors rallied for a 35-32 halftime lead. Born finished with 25. East’s season concluded with a 21-3 record.

Pleasant Valley 54, No. 7 Dubuque Senior 51

Pleasant Valley (19-5) held a one-point lead after the second and third quarters and held on at DeWitt for its seventh state tournament berth. Dubuque Senior’s season ended at 19-4.

No. 10 Ankeny Centennial 54, No. 8 Cedar Falls 47

Ankeny Centennial (16-7) turned the game around with an 18-2 third quarter to take a 41-29 lead in the nightcap at Marshalltown. Cedar Falls (16-6) led 20-12 after the first quarter but cooled off. Centennial will make its second state tournament appearance.

Class 4A boys’ state basketball tournament

Quarterfinals — Wednesday, March 8

No. 1 Cedar Rapids Kennedy (22-0) vs. Pleasant Valley (19-5), 2 p.m.

No. 4 West Des Moines Valley (21-2) vs. No. 6 Norwalk (20-3), 3:45 p.m.

No. 2 Waukee (22-2) vs. Ames (17-7), 10:30 a.m.

No. 3 Waukee Northwest (21-2) vs. No. 10 Ankeny Centennial (16-7), 12:15 p.m.

Semifinals — Thursday, March 9

5:30 p.m.

7:15 p.m.

Final — Friday, March 10

7 p.m.