State GBB '14: Thursday games

Thursday's games at the girls state basketball tournament:

CLASS 2A SEMIFINALS

No. 2 Cascade (26-0) vs. No. 4 Hudson (24-1)

Time: 11:45 a.m.

Coaches: Mike Sconsa owns a 10-year record of 197-43 at Cascade and is making his third state appearance. Jake Liekwig is in his first year at Hudson, and is 24-1.

Key players: Abbey Meyer (5-3, sr.) averages 12.4 points, 3.5 assists and 4.5 steals per game to lead Cascade. Carolyn Trumm (5-8, jr.) adds 9.4 points and 5.6 rebounds and shoots 59 percent from the floor. Four Pirates average in double figures, led by Casey Miles (5-8, sr.) at 16.9 points per game. Lindsey Koch (5-10, jr.) adds 13.4 ppg.

How they got here: Cascade turned up the defense and stymied Manson-Northwest Webster 43-21. The Cougars forced MNW into 19-percent shooting and 17 turnovers. Hudson was at the other extreme, putting five players in double figures (led by 23 from Abby Hillmer) in an 84-75 win over Woodbury Central.

BC Moore computer projection: Cascade by 3.

No. 5 North Linn (24-1) vs. No. 1 Western Christian (25-1)

Time: 1:30 p.m.

Coaches: Brian Wheatley is in his 10th year at North Linn and has compiled a 166-67 record. Bill Harmsen is 76-5 in three years at Western, winning the last two 2A titles. He is 145-36 in eight years overall.

Key players: Nicole Miller (5-9, jr.) averages a 2A-best 25.6 points per game, plus 6.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 4.2 steals per contest. Libby Falconer (6-1, sr.) adds 9.1 points and 6.1 rebounds per game; Maddie Boer (5-7, jr.) registers 9.0 ppg. Jamie Gesink fuels the Wolfpack, leading an offense that averages 77.8 points per game. Gesink (5-8, jr.) averages 16.3 points per game; Kenzie Bousema (5-8, jr.) adds 11.9 ppg.

How they got here: Miller scored 25 points and Falconer added 11 (nine in the fourth quarter) as North Linn outlasted South Central Calhoun, 57-49. Western Christian fought past Des Moines Christian, 66-53, behind 19 points from Gesink.

BC Moore computer projection: Western Christian by 11.

CLASS 4A SEMIFINAL

No. 8 Western Dubuque (22-2) vs. No. 7 Ballard (21-4)

Time: 8:30 p.m.

Coaches: Amy Ostwinkle is 80-55 in six seasons at Western Dubuque. Kelly Anderson is in his third year at Ballard and owns a 55-19 mark.

Key players: Rose Simon-Ressler (5-9, jr.) paces Western Dubuque at 12.4 points per game. Megan Maahs (6-0, soph.) adds 12.0 points and 11.0 rebounds per contest. Gabie Doud (5-10, soph.) leads Ballard at 17.8 points per game; Emily Knittel (5-9, jr.) adds 12.2 ppg.

How they got here: Western Dubuque shot 66 percent and overcame 26 turnovers in a 53-44 win over No. 2 Sioux City Heelan. Ballard beat another traditional power, taking down No. 3 Davenport Assumption 55-45, ending the Knights' three-year title run. Knittel scored 21 points, Meredith Ossian 19.

BC Moore computer projection: Ballard by 2.

OTHER GAMES

Class 1A SemifinalJanesville (24-1) vs. Burlington Notre Dame (22-3), 10 a.m.

Class 3A SemifinalsCrestwood (22-2) vs. Unity Christian (21-4), 3:15 p.m.MOC-Floyd Valley (24-1) vs. Mediapolis (24-1), 5 p.m.

Class 4A SemifinalHarlan (24-0) vs. Carlisle (20-6), 6:45 p.m.