New-look North Linn thriving again

Some thought it would be a season of payback. Instead, it has been an extension of excellence.

Despite losing Miss Iowa Basketball 2015 (Nicole Miller) and another all-stater (Maddie Boer) to graduation, North Linn hasn't taken a dive in girls' basketball.

'That's one thing we talked about; the kids have a different kind of target on their backs this year,' Lynx Coach Brian Wheatley said. 'We knew a lot of teams would be wanting to get some payback from previous seasons, so we'd need to come out with everything we have.'

The Lynx (19-3) are a victory away from their sixth consecutive 20-win season — they would be the only team in the state with that distinction — and two wins away from a third straight state-tournament berth. They host Alburnett (12-10) in a Class 2A regional semifinal at 7 p.m. Friday.

With heavy graduation losses after last year's team reached the 2A state finals, Wheatley knew his team would have a new identity this season, one based on post power. But a strong summer was reassuring.

'It gave us confidence that things would be fine,' he said. 'We're post-oriented now; everybody knows that. When you have two posts, you can do a lot of damage.'

Senior Morgan Boer (5-foot-11) and sophomore Ashley Tull (5-10) average 17.6 and 13.5 points per game, respectively. Tull shoots 59 percent from the field and collects 7.4 rebounds per game.

The Lynx swept Alburnett in the regular season by verdicts of 41-35 and 64-54. The Pirates have a versatile player in Taylor Huber (18.6 points, 7.5 rebounds per game).

'She can score from anywhere,' Wheatley said. 'She's really good with her midrange stuff. She's one of those kids, you've got to know where she's at all the time.'

Friday's winner will face No. 2 Iowa City Regina (22-0) or Sumner-Fredericksburg (17-4) in a regional final Monday. Those teams play Friday at Regina.

The area's other ranked 2A team, No. 6 West Branch (19-3) hosts Starmont (9-14).

In 1A, top-ranked Turkey Valley (22-0) hosts Janesville (15-8), No. 3 Springville (21-1) entertains Sigourney (14-9), No. 5 Lansing Kee (20-2) faces Dunkerton (19-4) at Maynard, and No. 9 Montezuma (21-1) hosts Moravia (22-2).

FRIDAY'S CLASS 2A REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

(All games, 7 p.m.)

Region 3

Sumner-Fredericksburg (17-4) at Iowa City Regina (22-0)

Alburnett (12-10) at North Linn (19-3)

Region 4

Starmont (9-14) at West Branch (19-3)

Bellevue (12-11) at Durant (17-5)

Region 5

Highland (18-5) at Pekin (22-1)

Conrad BCLUW (12-10) at Van Meter (20-2)

FRIDAY'S CLASS 1A REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

(All games, 7 p.m.)

Region 2

Janesville (15-8) at Turkey Valley (22-0)

Rockford (13-10) at Northwood-Kensett (18-4)

Region 3

Lansing Kee (20-2) vs. Dunkerton (19-4), at Maynard

North Tama (15-8) at Lynnville-Sully (20-2)

Region 5

Sigourney (14-9) at Springville (21-1)

Moravia (22-2) at Montezuma (21-1)

l Comments: (319) 368-8857; jeff.linder@thegazette.com