All four 4A semifinalists from Eastern Iowa

DES MOINES - The power in big-school basketball this season? Yeah, it's on the eastern side of the state.No doubt.Iowa City West's overtime win over West Des Moines Dowling in a Class 4A semifinal late Wednesday night clinched an Eastern Iowa champion. Dubuque Senior, Cedar Falls and Bettendorf won their semifinals earlier in the day.Three of the four semifinalists are from the Mississippi Valley Conference."The MVC is an awesome conference," said Senior Coach Wendell Eimers. "It's a meat grinder going through 16 games in this conference. It prepares you. We think we're one of the better teams around. Cedar Falls (and West) are, too."Senior (23-1) got 20 points from Kyle Haber and 13 from Josh Weeber in a 58-41 win over Des Moines Roosevelt. The physical game could best be described as "combat basketball" much of the time.It was Roosevelt's first state appearance since 1982.Cedar Falls (20-4) built a nine-point halftime lead and went on to topple Sioux City North, 57-46. Kalehl Brown continued his hot offensive streak, making 10 of 14 shots from the field in a 23-point game.He had 28 points in the Tigers' substate final win over Western Dubuque. The Tigers won despite 15 turnovers and 10-of-20 shooting from the free-throw line.Bettendorf (24-0) remained unbeaten with a 62-53 win over Urbandale. The Bulldogs' backcourt of Dylan Sortillo and Cole Clearman combined for 32 points.Friday's semifinals are Bettendorf and Cedar Falls at 1:30 and West against Senior at 3:15.