North Linn rallies past Maquoketa Valley, creating a likely Tri-Rivers West title share

DELHI — Of course, they remembered they outcome. It was their first (and still only) loss of the season.

They even recalled the date.

“We’ve been looking forward to this since December 20th,” North Linn’s Emilee Beuter said.

Six weeks later, the Lynx made amends.

Trailing by 16 points early in the second quarter, Class 1A second-ranked North Linn came all the way back and toppled 2A No. 8 Maquoketa Valley, 44-37, in a Tri-Rivers Conference West Division girls’ basketball showdown Friday night at Maquoketa Valley High School.

“That’s as proud of a team as I’ve been in a long time,” Lynx Coach Brian Wheatley said. “We were on the verge of getting blown out.”

North Linn (16-1 overall, 10-1 Tri-Rivers West) was spinning its wheels and facing a 24-8 deficit. But the Lynx crept within 27-18 by halftime, making a comeback far more manageable.

Friday’s outcome most likely means a shared divisional championship for the two clubs. Maquoketa Valley (17-1, 11-1) already owns a piece of the title; North Linn can earn the other piece if it can get past Starmont on Tuesday at Arlington.

“I think people take a (divisional title) for granted,” senior Molly Boge said. “It’s not a little thing.”

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North Linn made its fateful move — a 12-0 run — early in the third quarter. Beuter had four baskets in that surge, which gave the Lynx their first lead of the game at 30-29.

“My teammates were making tough drives to the basket, and there I was,” Beuter said.

Maquoketa Valley took its final lead, 35-34, on Grace Richter’s drive with 4:50 remaining. But Boge spotted Bridgewater open at the top of the key, and Bridgewater swished a 3-pointer to put the Lynx in front for good at the 3:03 mark.

Beuter led all scorers with 15 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Boge scored nine points; Bridgewater and Carly Ries added eight apiece.

Richter paced Maquoketa Valley with 13 points. Bianka Ronnebaum added seven.

The Wildcats hit 6 of 9 shots in the first quarter on their way to an 18-8 lead.

“In a brilliant coaching move, I started us in a 1-3-1 run and they were on pace to score 80 points,” Wheatley said. “We switched to man, and the kids fought like crazy.”

The Lynx held the Wildcats to 19 points (on 6-of-28 shooting) in the final three quarters.

North Linn 44, Maquoketa Valley 37

At Delhi

NORTH LINN (44): Allie Haughenbury 1-8 1-2 3, Mackenzie Bridgewater 2-7 3-4 8, Molly Boge 3-11 3-4 9, Carly Ries 2-6 2-2 8, Emilee Beuter 7-13 1-4 15, Ava Hoover 0-0 1-2 1, Samantha West 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 15-45 11-18 44.

MAQUOKETA VALLEY (37): Lanni Beaman 2-6 0-0 6, Audra Burbridge 0-2 3-4 3, Bianka Ronnebaum 2-5 2-2 7, Jada Knipper 0-2 3-4 3, Grace Richter 6-13 1-4 13, Lexi Halverson 1-3 1-2 3, Leah Reicher 1-4 0-0 2, Madison Thompson 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 12-37 10-16 37.

North Linn 8 10 16 10 — 44

Maquoketa Valley 18 9 6 4 — 37

3-point goals: North Linn 3-14 (Haughenbury 0-3, Bridgewater 1-3, Boge 0-4, Ries 2-4), Maquoketa Valley 3-13 (Beaman 2-5, Burbridge 0-2, Ronnebaum 1-2, Richter 0-2, Thompson 0-2). Team fouls: North Linn 16, Maquoketa Valley 19. Fouled out: Burbridge. Rebounds: North Linn 31 (Beuter 9), Maquoketa Valley 30 (Richter 6). Assists: North Linn 7 (Boge 4), Maquoketa Valley 8 (Ronnebaum 3). Steals: North Linn 7 (Haughenbury, Boge 3), Maquoketa Valley 3 (three with 1). Turnovers: North Linn 10, Maquoketa Valley 13.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com