Basketball Roundup: Wahlert looks tougher than a fourth seed

DES MOINES - In the world of Iowa high school state tournament basketball, Dubuque Wahlert is a fourth seed.Never mind the Golden Eagles' resume. They're 21-4, with none of those losses to Class 3A teams.Wahlert has lost twice to Class 4A second-ranked Dubuque Senior, once in overtime. It was beaten by 4A state tournament qualifier Cedar Rapids Kennedy and 4A third-ranked North Scott.That's it. Still it's a '4.'"I do feel strength of schedule should play a part in the seedings, but I understand why it doesn't," said Wahlert Coach Tom English, after his team's 81-59 win over Chariton in a 3A quarterfinal Tuesday afternoon at Wells Fargo Arena. "I get that. There are parts of the state that don't have the opportunity, necessarily, to play up and make their schedule as strong as they'd like it to be. I understand that."So teams are seeded here solely on record. Harlan (23-2) is the top seed, and that's who Wahlert plays in Thursday night's semifinals. The teams are ranked 1-2 (Wahlert first) by The Gazette/Iowa Prep Sports."We are used to coming down here and being a low seed because we play in a tough (predominantly 4A Mississippi Valley) conference," English said. "We play a rough schedule. It's one of those things that we've been accustomed to."Josh Carter scored 23 points and Tyler Potts 14 for Wahlert, which built a 33-23 halftime lead and extended it with 48 second-half points. The Golden Eagles shot 57.7 percent from the field.T.J. Hockenson had 23 points for Chariton (21-4).

Wahle Rt by Jeff Johnson

Harlan by Jeff Johnson

Dewitt by Jeff Johnson

WSR by Jeff Johnson

WEST FORK 71, WEST MARSHALL 54 - Sam Amsbaugh scored 26 points in an all-around fine game that moved the second-seeded Warhawks to the Class 2A semifinals for the second consecutive year. West Fork plays Treynor in a battle of 24-1 teams.Ansbaugh made 10 of 14 shots from the field, 6 of 8 free throws, had six rebounds, five steals, four assists and two blocked shots as West Fork pulled away in the second half from a 28-24 game at halftime. The Warhawks shot 60 percent, 75 percent (12 of 16) in the last two quarters.Reggie Gradwell had 21 points and Duncan Ferch 17 for West Marshall (20-5).HARLAN 64, HUMBOLDT 44 - Trey Lansman posted a triple-double of 20 points, 11 rebounds and 11 blocked shots as top-seeded and second-ranked Harlan rolled to a 3A quarterfinal win.Nathan Cave added 16 points as Harlan's size simply proved too much. The Cyclones are 23-2.Jack Curran had 14 points for Humboldt (16-8).DEWITT CENTRAL 69, MOC/FLOYD VALLEY 67 - Kyle Bauer went off for 32 points as Central (22-3) won its first state tournament game in 33 years.Logan Sheppard made an 80-foot shot at the end of the first half to bring the Sabers within 30-29 at halftime. Those were his only three points of the game.Levi Jansen had 32 points and 10 rebounds for MOC (19-5). DeWitt Central shot 71 percent in the second half.WAVERLY-SHELL ROCK 67, GRINNELL 58 - The defending champion Go-Hawks advance to the semifinals for the third time in four seasons. DeWitt Central is the opponent.Jake Velky scored 18 points and Sean Westendorf 17 for W-SR (22-3), which used a 10-0 run in the third quarter to take the lead for good. Eli Dunne had 22 points and 17 rebounds for Grinnell (17-8).Here are all of the game boxscores:

WFork by Jeff Johnson