Tipton starts fast before Wolves roll

By Jeff Linder The Gazette DES MOINES - On a team full of veterans, it was a freshman that provided the spark. Tember Schechinger came off the bench and ignited third-ranked IKM-Manning in a 55-34 victory over No. 7 Tipton in a Class 2A quarterfinal at the girls' state basketball tournament last night at Wells Fargo Arena.“She did an excellent job,” said IKM-Manning Coach Gene Rasmussen. “She was upbeat and positive. She played well, especially for a freshman.” The Wolves (24-2) advance to play No. 2 Manson-Northwest Webster in a semifinal at noon Thursday. MNW (26-0) outlasted Roland-Story, 55-53, last night. Tipton (24-2) was a state qualifier for the third time in five years. Each time, The Tigers bowed out in the first round. The Tigers played with poise and precision early and enjoyed a 13-6 lead after one quarter. Nicole Royer had six points in the opening period. “We had a good start,” said Tipton's Alicia Goetz. “Everything was going good. But in the second half, we just couldn't get any sort of run going.” The Wolves scored the first 13 points of the second quarter to take the lead, opened the third period with a 11-2 run to take control, then began the final quarter with a 11-0 surge to bust it open. Schechinger was a big part of it, managing 12 points and eight rebounds in 19 minutes of playing time. “They really stepped up their defensive pressure,” said Tipton Coach Chad Rezac. Tipton's early lead vanished when IKM-Manning scored the first 13 points of the second quarter. The Tigers went scoreless for 5:35, a span that included four missed free throws. Kara Stadtlander's putback gave the Wolves the lead at 14-13, then Schechinger's layup at the 2:55 mark made it 19-13. Tipton took a 21-20 lead on Vanessa Shipley's basket, but the Wolves scored the final two baskets of the half for a 24-21 edge. It was 38-30 before the Wolves landed the decisive blow to begin the fourth quarter. IKM-Manning's Bailey Halbur led all scorers with 13 points. Royer finished with 10 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks for the Tigers. Katelyn DeWulf added seven points. Tipton all-stater Missy Miller, who was averaging 22.7 points per game before tearing an ACL in January, came into the game with about a minute left. Miller caught an inbounds pass, called timeout, then departed. n Contact the writer: (319) 368-8857 or jeff.linder@gazcomm.com