1 more win and it's a perfect MVC season for Linn-Mar

MARION - These Linn-Mar Lions are on the verge of being remembered forever.

Despite all the great players and all the state tournament appearances and championships over the last 20 years or so, no Linn-Mar boys' basketball team has ever gone through a Mississippi Valley Conference season unbeaten. Believe it or not.

But this one is oh so close after a 58-50 win Tuesday night over Cedar Rapids Kennedy.

“We've got one more left against Cedar Falls,” said Linn-Mar's Darius Stokes. “It's going to be tough. We want to get that one. But at the same time, we've got bigger goals in mind.”

Linn-Mar (19-1) won its 18th consecutive game by rallying from a six-point halftime deficit. It's 15-0 in the MVC for Class 4A's second-ranked team, with the regular-season finale Thursday night.

The obvious focus, other than winning, of course, will be on getting off to a better start.

“The first half, Kennedy was much more aggressive,” said Linn-Mar Coach Chris Robertson. “We had a nice little talk at halftime, and they came out the second half and played a lot better, a lot tougher.”

The 6-foot-7 son of former Iowa big man Greg, Stokes came in averaging just five points a game, but was a beast around the basket with a career-best 15 points. He also helped his team grab a pivotal 31-19 rebounding edge.

“He just keeps getting better and better,” Robertson said. “His future is bright, his best days are to come. Some college is going to get a good player.”

The same could be said for Bohannon. He scored 17 of his game-high 22 points in the second half, including a decisive flurry in the fourth quarter where he gave his team a 10-point cushion by hitting two 3-pointers and converting an and-one layup after a steal.

“I think this was a good game for us to prepare for substate,” Bohannon said.

Kennedy (12-7) got 18 points from Kyle Lamaak and 17 from Jake Misener. The Cougars have lost five of their seven games by two points or less.