Too many offensive rebounds and eventual put backs by the frontline of MOC-Floyd Valley is what turned a second quarter Spirit Lake lead into a halftime deficit, and, ultimately, propelling the Dutch to a 51-42 Class 3A Regional Final win in Spencer. Spirit Lake owned the advantage for most of the first half, but was outscored 30-16 in the second and third quarters combined. The Indians hung tough late, trimming the deficit to a half-dozen on several occasions. KJ Veldman accounted for most of the scoring with 24 points, hitting three from outside. The junior ends the season thirteen points shy of Spirit Lake’s all-time scoring mark. The Indians conclude the season with an 18-6 mark overall. Alexis Conaway matched the effort, with a game-high 25 points. The sophomore scored eleven of MOC-Floyd Valley’s thirteen points in the final quarter. The Dutch qualify for the state tournament in Des Moines for the second straight year, and will put a 25-0 record on the line Tuesday against Bondurant-Farrar (22-2).
Click here for the postgame interview with coach Rick Reinking.
The rest of the Class 3A field has Dubuque Wahlert (20-4) taking on Sioux City Bishop Heelan (23-1), Glenwood (22-1) facing Davenport Assumption (22-2), and undefeated Benton (24-0) matching up against Ballard (18-6).
In Class 4A, top-ranked Southeast Polk (23-1) headlines the eight-team field, which also includes Ames (16-7), Ankeny (20-3), Cedar Rapids Xavier (18-5), Mason City (21-2), Waukee (19-5), Iowa City West (22-1), and Iowa City High (17-6).
North of the border it remains regular season basketball, and Worthington took down Martin County West, 71-47. Blue Earth claimed a 44-37 decision over Fairmont, and Southwest Star Concept fell to Westbrook-Walnut Grove, 55-43.
