Jeff Linder

Iowa girls’ state basketball tournament: A closer look at Friday’s games, including the 3A championship between Benton Community at Sioux Center.

Girls’ state basketball: Benton Community completes a hat trick vs. Vinton-Shellsburg, 51-42, to reach the Class 3A championship game opposite Sioux Center.

Iowa girls’ state basketball tournament: A closer look at Thursday’s games, including three area teams alive in the Class 3A semifinals.

Girls’ state basketball: North Linn’s second string — dubbed the Chaos Crew — brought high energy in the Lynx’s 68-36 rout of Winfield-Mount Union in a Class 1A quarterfinal. North Linn tallied 22 bench points.

Girls’ state basketball notes: Examining the evolution of Algona Garrigan star post Audi Crooks.

Girls’ state basketball: Led by 6-foot Division-I recruit (as a distance runner) Madison Brouwer, deceptively speedy Sibley-Ocheyedan sprints past Iowa City Regina.

Iowa girls’ state basketball tournament: A closer look at Wednesday’s games, including a 1A quarterfinal between North Linn and Winfield-Mount Union.

Girls’ state basketball: Sioux City Heelan embarks on a 28-0 run, collects 21 steals and emphatically ends Cedar Rapids Xavier’s 4A title reign.

Girls’ state basketball: North Polk’s ‘perfect storm’ sends Clear Creek Amana to a quick exit, 61-30.

Ballard’s defensive shift was one key factor. Superiority in the middle two quarters was another, and the fourth-ranked Bombers ousted No. 5 Decorah, 58-44, in a Class 4A quarterfinal at the girls’ state basketball tournament.

Girls’ state basketball notes: Teammate’s leukemia diagnosis adds another layer of motivation for Benton Community.

Girls’ state basketball: Solon rallies late, joins the Wamac Conference party in the 3A state semifinals.

Benton Community scored a girls’ state basketball tournament breakthrough; a 40-34 win over Des Moines Christian is the Bobcats’ first in five tries. Up next: Vinton-Shellsburg in the 3A semifinals Thursday.

Iowa girls’ state basketball tournament: A closer look at Tuesday’s games, including three involving area 4A competitors.

Vinton-Shellsburg stuned No. 1 Estherville-Lincoln Central in the Class 3A girls’ state basketball quarterfinals and will face archrival Benton Community in Thursday’s semifinals.