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>> championship Saturday in downtown Des Moines in the Iowa girls high school athletic Union state championship here in Des Moines.

It is game two of our triple header.

It is Central Lyon and Hinton .

The cheerleaders are ready, we are ready.

Are you ready?

Hello to every corner , nook and cranny of your great state on your network, Iowa PBS, we are life tonight in all 99 counties.

I am Paul, three down, two to go.

Now it's time to go courtside as we get ready for to a because I will be back at halftime and we will have halftime highlights an interview from our sports deck but first let's go to Brad Wills and Allie rough Ridge for their call of the 2A state championship.

>> Thank you very much, Paul.

3 C Hinton, first trip to state since 2009, and they are in the state title game.

Central Lyon in their fourth consecutive state tournament, and once again in the championship game.

Alongside 2017 miss Iowa basketball, I am Brad Wills.

Just as Paul is a mainstay of this state tournament, these two teams facing each other in the postseason is regular.

Central Lyon defeated Hinton in the 2024 and 2023 regional final and they met earlier this year.

Hinton getting revenge now a rematch in the title game.

>> What a good representation of Northwest Iowa here.

You mentioned it, Hinton defeated Central Lyon 67-60 back in December.

I think it's going to come down to execution and mental toughness here in the championship game.

>> It was a seven point game when they met on December 17, now they play for all the marbles.

Let's get to know Central Lyon.

Sixth trip to stay.

We mention four consecutive, Aubrey Metzger such a phenomenal player, Northwestern College signee , leading class 2A in multiple categories and has been huge here at the state tournament with a pair of double-doubles.

Danika Hoogendoorn adding to that mix.

Also Alexis Austin distributes the basketball for Hinton.

Seventh trip to state .

It has been a while since they have been here.

Head coach Matt Leary was here with Hinton earlier back in 2002 when they were state runner-up in class 1a .

Sydney Doeschot is dynamic.

Let's send it across the court, Tim Fitzpatrick is on the mic.

>> let's go, Lyons!

>> Basketball fans, let's hear it for the Central Lyon Lions!

>> all right, give it up for the Hinton Blackhawks.

all right fans, it's now time to introduce players in today's 2A championship matchup.

Here are your nonstarters and assistant coaches for the Central Lyon Lions.

Number 10, Ayda Vander Zee.

Number 12 , Emory Lincecum.

Number 24, Erika Fluit.

Number 30, Jessa Vande Weerd.

Number 32, Taylor Rypkema.

34, Anna Meiburg.

42, Avery Harman.

And 52, Tran 21.

Your assistant coaches, Greg Towne and Jarod DeBey.

And now, let's meet your nonstarters and assistant coaches for the Hinton Blackhawks.

Number 2, Peyton Beeck.

Number 4, Becca Lahrs.

Number 14, Keely Derochie.

Number 20, Addison Kovarna.

Number 30, Megan Leary.

Number 32, Bailey Boeve.

Number 40, Addison Dunkel .

52, Aurora Koch.

And 54, Crayten Stusse.

Your assistant coaches, Ryan Stusse and Ben Hertenstein.

and now, here is your starting lineup for this 2A championship game!

For Central Lyon at guard, a 5'7" Junior, number 4, Shyanne Struckman!

For Hinton at guard, if I fit a senior, number 10 , -- for the Lions at guard, a 5'9" Junior, number 14, Danika Hoogendoorn!

For the Blackhawks, at forward, a 5'11" Junior, number 22, Karlyn Kovarna!

For Central Lyon at forward, a 5'10" senior, number 20, Alexis Austin!

At guard for Hinton, a 5'7" Junior, number 24, Sydney Doeschot!

For the Lions, at forward, a 5'10" senior, number 22, Georgie Oedekoven!

For the Blackhawks at forward, a 5'10" sophomore, number 34, Addison Glass!

And for Central Lyon at center, a 6'2" senior, number 50, Aubrey Metzger!

For Hinton, at center, a 6'1" freshman, number 44, Raelyn Kempema!

Head coach for Central Lyon is Heather Grafing.

For Hinton, Matt Leary.

Now ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you our officials for today's 2A championship.

As assigned by the Iowa girls union.

Your referee is Ben Applegate.

Umpire is Sam Anker.

Umpire Jim Crozier.

And your bench official , TJ Augustine.

>> all right, we get ready for the 2A championship game as we take a look at some keys to the game .

Return to Central Lyon as the Lions' key to access for a title is what?

>> Offensively for Central Lyon you want to feed the bird, and that is getting the ball to senior Aubrey Metzger.

She needs lots of post-touches.

Defensively, protect the paint.

Raelyn Kempema is a force inside as well as and-one crafty with her handles getting downhill.

They would be to limit second chance points.

Central Lyon had 17 boards in the quarter finals and 16 in the semi's.

Offensively, Hinton needs to have an inside outside balance.

They lead class 2A with 20 assists per game.

Good ball movement and post entry passes inside to freshman Raelyn Kempema.

>> Hinton head coach Matt Leary as we were talking to him after the final semi final of class 2A, we were able to ask about the meeting in December.

He said it was fast-paced .

Hinton had a good second quarter.

Both teams just have a defensive mentality.

We see it right out of the gate.

Danika Hoogendoorn with the take away.

>> Again Brad, Hinton started the first possession with a turnover.

We talked to both coaches.

They know each other really well.

It's going to come down to who wins the rebounding battle and who can cause the most turnovers in this game.

>> Here is a shot by Georgie Oedekoven, and Hinton on the run out.

Here comes Addison Glass.

She has gotten a ton of attention from the opposition here at this state tournament.

The shot from the freshman center Georgie Oedekoven -- Raelyn Kempema is short.

Alexis Austin, 5'10" senior.

Here is a shot from Hoogendoorn, and the offensive rebound underneath by Georgie Oedekoven.

It will send the Midland University signee for dance to the free-throw line.

We will have more on Georgie throughout this broadcast.

If you are joining our coverage from YouTube, tell us where you are watching from in the comments , and thank you for tuning in.

First free throw is good, there is a look at Matt Leary in year 18 at Hinton.

His 23rd career year as a head coach.

He got his 300th career victory at Hinton this season.

Grand total at 311 and Hinton one of two unbeaten teams in this 2A field, and the only one still standing.

Central Lyon in the title game with four losses on the year.

Good footwork but it pops out for Sydney Doeschot, and Hinton however able to save it.

>> This game going back and forth early on here, both teams want this so bad.

>> Coach Leary told us it was fast-paced and here we are, buckle in, folks.

Addison Glass, the sophomore.

With the basket.

Central Lyon right back to the offensive end, but Austin steps on the out of bounds line , and Hinton gets it back.

>> We've seen a couple changes of defense is here early on.

Hinton likes to play a 1-2-2 in the half court set, and Central Lyon just pressuring them right here.

Primarily playing good , solid, man to man defense looking to try to speed Hinton up right here in this full-court press.

>> This is often, the top defender.

Only one on this Lions team that has been on varsity all four seasons.

Comes away with a steal right there.

Metzger wisely slows it down, Central Lyon resets.

Shyanne Struckman, one of a number of struck May's to come through this Central Lyon program, and there is Aubrey Metzger making her presence known inside.

>> You will see a lot of those offensive sets looking to get it in to Metzger right there.

As you can see, Central Lyon getting lots of touches right here leading to fast-break points.

>> Hoogendoorn with the take away , but coming up empty on points and carrying the basketball is Sydney Doeschot as Central Lyon gets it back.

Three straight turnovers now for the Blackhawks.

Only --went undefeated this year.

Offensive rebound by Metzger, that was a key.

She gets a lot of those.

>> She is averaging a double-double here at the state tournament.

If you are Hinton, you have to fight for the boards and go after every 50-50 ball.

Every possession counts here in the state championship game.

>> Metzger number 50 in purple will play basketball at Northwestern College, and there is a three ball.

Glass knocks it in.

Scoreless in the quarter final rounds, had five points in the semifinal win against Iowa city Regina on the season.

Glass is the second leading scorer, averages over 11 points per game.

>> She is one of those players where she may not appear in the stat lines a lot but she's one of the players that can come up big .

>> Bodies on the floor and I think we have a foul called on the third died after a loose basketball.

It's going to go on Addy Pigott.

Here is a look at defense.

>> Addy Pigott has been doing that all tournament and that's why she's on the top.

She gets after it.

Quick hands, quick feet, and usually off to the races when she gets a clean touch to it.

>> This is why you were near pads when you played.

>> Nobody wears them!

10 players on the court.

You see a set of kneepads?

I don't.

>> Just a bunch of red knees, right?

Hoogendoorn picks up her dribble.

here is a take away inside.

Karlyn Kovarna with the steal, Karlyn Kovarna with the basket!

The junior , had an older sister who lost to Central Lyon twice in the regional finals, she's looking for revenge!

And now a take away.

Kempema gets ahead to Doeschot.

Up and down we go, last touched by Doeschot.

And already hands on the hips for players of both teams, and there you see Karlyn Kovarna's older sister Ashlyn, a 2020 for grad.

I talked with her, said were you tough on your little sister?

Oh yeah.

It made her what she is.

She is excited to see her play in this state championship game.

>> She said this is a full circle moment for her being part of those two regional finals and now being in the state championship game playing against Central Lyon.

This game means a lot to her as well as every other girl here playing in this game today.

>> Here is Doeschot into traffic.

The kick out.

Pigott for three, no.

Offensive rebound.

Doeschot goes into the lane , the kick out for Kempema for three.

>> A fight for every single touch of the basketball and rebound as it will be Central Lyon basketball.

Georgie Oedekoven checks out of the game.

Taylor Rypkema, the freshman into the game, she had 13 points in her straight tournament debut against North Mahaska.

Central Lyon had a huge second quarter in that game.

Here is a basket from Alexis Austin, the senior.

>> The only athlete on the Central Lyon team that has been part of every one of their state qualifying teams in the last four years, so do you think she's ready for this moment?

>> She is ready, and she is a facilitator as well.

She is one of the top defenders on this team.

Leads the team in assists.

4 1/2 assists per game.

She will get hurt teammates involved.

Ayda Vander Zee, a freshman, into the game for Central Lyon.

The little sister of Reese vendors e-print.

You might recognize the freshman wide receiver if you are an Iowa Hawkeye football fan.

He blew onto the seams this season.

Keely Derochie also onto the floor for Hinton here in this state championship game.

That is a foul on Pigott.

That's going to be the second personal foul on the senior guard, Addy Pigott.

The senior was at Cherokee high school a season ago.

A few newcomers on this Hinton team.

Sydney Doeschot was at Kingsley Pierson last year.

Coach Leary had to do an intentional job making sure this team could gel, and they jelled all the way to the state championship game.

>> He talked about at the beginning of the season bringing the team together.

They did different team bonding activities.

They had team dinners.

A lot of teams like to do those.

They just have the right pieces to the puzzle and they said it, it fits perfectly for this team.

As you can see where it has led them to.

>> It was Ayda Vander Zee with the basket for Central Lyon.

14 on the shot clock now.

Doeschot shifty moves all the way to the rim, how about that!

?

>>-Really impressed with her this state tournament.

She can score at all three levels and get downhill.

That's why it's so hard to guard this Hinton team.

>> She has scored a ton.

She had 18 points in the quarterfinals, 24 points in the semi finals, a win over Iowa city Regina.

Hoogendoorn drives, it is taken away.

The steal by Kovarna, the throw ahead, and Doeschot adds two more.

Four points now for Doeschot, and once she gets going, she gets in a rhythm.

>> Offensively she can score but I think people tend to forget she is also their point guard who can facilitate the ball.

She's always looking for her teammates .

She likes to do this little turnaround spin move, or she will just going to contact like you saw.

She's not afraid of someone standing there.

She will go in there with a tough finish.

>> How about the first finish going right at the 6'2" Aubrey Metzger.

These athletes get a top-notch experience here at the girls state basketball tournament.

Hoogendoorn gets a breather for Central Lyon.

Shyanne Struckman back into the game.

Kempema let's the three pointer fly.

Off the mark rebounded by Austin.

What do you like about the freshman Kempema, but Metzger able to collect and finish.

Aubrey Metzger is so good at running the floor, isn't she?

>> I mentioned that in the pregame show earlier when I was talking with Laura and Paul.

She can score inside and they are going to look to get the ball.

She runs the floor so well as a pig.

It has really impressed me the tournament and all season long as I played against her in the regular season.

Just a really hard worker.

>> Final seconds here for Central Lyon.

This is Rypkema, gets blocked.

Kempema traveled with the basketball.

0.

7 on the clock here at the end of one.

Substitution, Georgie Oedekoven in the game for Austin.

>> That's exactly what they did, and the freshman Kempema was ready for it.

A one point game at the end of one!

The rematch is underway!

Let's go up top, Paul Yeager, tell us how we got here.

>> Thank you Brad, thank you Ellie.

Very exciting first quarter here.

Both of these teams.

It was not easy in the semi finals.

Here is how they were able to make it to this final day of the season.

Central Lyon against DBF.

Brad talked about them.

Danika Hoogendoorn, the reverse skyhook and then the corner three.

Central Lyon lead at the half and then EBF made it close there but it was Aubrey Metzger on the entry pass and then Alexis Austin gets a two , and Central Lyon advance 63-49 in that contest, and it was Regina and Hinton in the 2A semi final on the other side of the bracket.

Raelyn Kempema the jumper there, she had a missed shot ready for the end of the quarter, and then you have Sydney Doeschot who has been good so far for Hinton.

Here she is .

Gets her own rebound and puts it right back to score.

Hinton beats Regina 51-45.

We go down back to the floor for quarter number two.

Brad Wills, Ellie Rutledge, take it away!

>> Thank you very much, Paul.

One quarter in the books, 11 field goal attempts, eight turnovers for Hinton.

For Central Lyon, five turnovers.

When the coaches told us we are going to get up and down the floor, this is a fast-paced game, I had no idea what we were in for here.

>> I joked when the refs came over to our table but they give us those looks, and a couple refs have asked can we get time-outs?

Turning this into a track meet early on.

>> You have to be highly conditioned for this one today.

Here is Georgie Oedekoven in and out, no.

Rebounded by Kovarna.

Kovarna, the center on the Blackhawks volleyball team as well.

The rebound to Metzger.

Austin throws it ahead , and Georgie Oedekoven unable to handle the pass.

>> Both teams early on have committed quite a bit of turnovers right here as you can see, just a little too strong for her, could not catch it and we are going the other way.

>> Ellie, you are an assistant coach now at spear Lake.

If it is your style of play, you want to keep playing as many games as possible, right?

You mentioned to me, it feels like playing yourself almost.

In a game like this.

>> You are almost looking in the mirror.

You can look back and forth.

These teams are very similar.

You have two really solid post players, a freshman going up against the senior, and you have really solid guard play.

I mentioned this earlier.

It's going to come down to taking care of the basketball and when you get to the half court just be patient running some of your place.

>> Doeschot is in trouble gets it out , and the rebound to Metzger.

Keely Derochie just one of a couple returners for this Hinton team.

Mentioned the three kids that transferred into the Hinton school district , and Raelyn Kempema, the freshman .

Kempema on the kick out, Doeschot from the free-throw line, and the rebound goes to Shyanne Struckman.

And now Hinton gets the take away!

And a foul on Struckman as the Blackhawks get the basket !

Addison Glass in attack mode after the turnover.

>> I think the Central Lyon fans right there wanted the travel right there, but again, credit to Hinton's defense right there going after that.

I think offensively, both teams need better ball movement, and also just again, spacing.

>> When you have a defense that comes right at you, that is the key.

Spacing, and then being clear with your passes.

Six minutes to play here in quarter number two.

>> Hinton sending Aubrey Metzger down low.

They don't want her getting post touches.

If you are a perimeter player for Central Lyon, quick ball movement, look to try to get inside but you have to attack the zone as well with your ballhandling.

>> Finding an opening in that zone, Danika Hoogendoorn knocks in the three.

Central Lyon back in front.

5:30 to play.

Second quarter.

Doeschot on the kick out, Derochie on the kick out.

Karlyn Kovarna, the junior!

>> She leads in rebounding with about seven points per game.

Her rebounding presence sticks out to me more than her scoring points.

>> Got a pep talk from older sister Ashlyn right before this game.

Derochie tips that pass but is going to get called for the foul reaching in on Oedekoven.

Substitutions into the game.

Ayda Vander Zee returns , and Aurora Koch in, played in the quarter final game against rock Valley.

Didn't see any action in the semi finals.

Austin gets blocked, Hinton comes up with another stop.

>> We talk about how these two teams, they know each other well, they have respect for each other, but credit to the coaches who prepare for this.

It's a quick turnaround from playing yesterday to preparing for a state championship game plan.

What you think their game plan was coming into tonight when they know each other so well?

Go out and play and have fun?

>> You've got to execute.

You said the key is execution.

Saw head coach Heather Grafing for Central Lyon.

She has been here before.

Runner-up in 2022 and 2023 to the dike New Hartford train of the Peterson sisters.

Central Lyon looking for their first state championship since 2012.

They earned a one a title defeating --.

Here is the shot.

Hoogendoorn .

It was rebounded by Kempema.

>> Going to slow it down right here, Hinton.

>> Catch their breath for just a moment.

here is a feed inside, Kempema, you can tell when she gets it in the post, she doesn't want much to do with Metzger.

We have seen her here at the state tournament have a fantastic week inside Wells Fargo Arena.

>> Keep in mind too, number 44 , she is a great post player but she can knock down those three-point shots.

We have seen it all tournament.

She has not hit one yet.

I have a feeling it's coming.

>> Oedekoven on the feet, now the kick out up top, Austin drives out to Vander Zee, too strong, and the offensive rebound to Oedekoven.

Talking with Georgie Oedekoven about she is a dancer, she's going to go to Midland for dance on a scholarship.

How does dance help you with basketball?

She said well, a lot of different ways.

Adds two more with Sydney Doeschot, and Doeschot now with six points for the Blackhawks.

She said time management for one.

A typical day in November, 6:00 a. m. dance practice, I go to school, basketball practice, and then dance practice after basketball practice.

You see the feed here to Metzger, and Metzger just muscling that up for two.

The student athletes, you know being a student athlete in high school and college at the Division I level, time management is critical for this case to be successful.

>> It's incredible talking to these athletes all week, all the things they juggle and all the extracurriculars they are in.

Again, balancing those extracurriculars with their personal life, it's really impressive.

A lot of these girls are going to take their talents to the next level, and again, these are all life skills.

Being involved in some of the different things is going to help you later on in life.

>> There is a jump ball underneath for Georgie Oedekoven .

She is a state champion in dance.

In December, she won the class three soloist division in the Iowa State dance and drill team Association.

The only bad part about playing in the state championship game, she had to pass on performing at state basketball this year, but heading to Midland University, ranked second in the country and they are at their conference championships today when Georgie is playing for a basketball state title.

Jumper from Austin is good.

Alexis Austin adds two more.

Six points now for Austin.

And a loose basketball once again.

Hoogendoorn slows it down to now Vander Zee attacks and gets called for the travel violation.

Hinton gets it back.

Struckman comes in for Austin for Hinton.

>> I think that is one you are a ball handler or looking to make a pass, you have to look for your pump fakes, ball fix, maybe do a one dribble penetration with a bounce pass down low.

You have to meet the pass if you are looking to receive it or else it's going to be an interception going the other way.

Again, it's the little things.

It's the fundamentals.

I don't think people talk about fundamentals that much.

Sometimes fundamentals can be boring.

They are not flashy or shiny.

But if you can't do the fundamentals, don't expect to be a great basketball player.

>> Here is Doeschot on the drive.

She will go to the free-throw line.

Allie, you play Division I college basketball.

Do you still work on fundamentals when you're in college?

Pros continue to work on it.

>> Every day.

The same ball.

Ballhandling routines.

Any player.

Post player, shooting guard , your first shot better be a form shot, not out there checking threes.

It better be a form shot.

>> I used to warm-up with half-court shots.

That's not suggested?

>> I think a lot of players need to get used to repetition, doing the same things every day.

The first probably half hour of any practice I was a part of was the same drill every day, so you can't get sick of it.

>> Central Lyon with the basketball , tied at 19.

Here is Vander Zee.

Struckman took an extra step .

Shyanne Struckman, older sister shaly won a state title in 2016.

Or 2012.

2013, it was.

Here is Kempema on the kick out.

Derochie.

And a foul on the rebound as Struckman grabbed the rebound and had a chance to talk to Shyanne Struckman's mom Shawna , as she played basketball in South Dakota.

She loves watching her girls play basketball.

Shania played basketball.

Shania, one of Cheyenne's sisters, is sitting here next to mom in the Central Lyon stands.

Such great community support from both Hinton and the Central Lyon school districts.

>> It is so cool.

Reflecting as an athlete who played on this floor , it is so amazing to make it here but then to look up in the crowd and see the support, this is your community, your classmates, your friends, your family who are supporting you.

It is just amazing.

>> The kick out, Kempema, first shot off the market, last touched by Addy Pigott who is in the game playing with two fouls.

Each with two personal fouls.

Here is the substitution, Pigott and Raelyn Kempema.

The check out.

Kempema also with two personal fouls.

Metzger calling for it inside.

Three from Austin , how about Austin!

?

Nine points now , has had a quiet state tournament thus far , but we go to halftime with Central Lyon in front!

Alexis Austin , nine points to lead the way, eight for Addison Glass to lead Hinton, and we send it up top to Paul Yeager , as he has been into in this class 2A state championship game and in a rematch what we expected, a tight one.

>> Thank you very much, for that call there in the first half.

Pretty good intense back and forth.

This is one of the closest hats we have had in this contest.

Joining us now is one of the coaches involved with it .

It was tied right there at the end.

You hit the three.

Everything has been contested in the first half.

Was that part of the game plan when the opponent is so familiar?

You have to challenge everything!

>> Absolutely.

They have a lot of different weapons.

We are doing a really good job trying to limit what they want to do well.

Offensively, we have to fix a few things.

We are a little bit rusty with a few things.

Our defense has been our stronghold this whole year and right now our defense is why we have a little bit of a lead.

>> The full-court pressure early on really gave Hinton a hard time.

I gave a lot of opponents a hard time.

I'm not asking you to say if you're going to do it in the second half, but you have to calve that mind-set I'm guessing?

>> We have to be the attacker.

That's what we want to do on both sides of the floor.

The girls have been doing a good job.

Obviously Hinton is a fantastic team and they are finding ways around what we want to do defensively, that we've seen everything this year.

As long as the girls keep adjusting and keep talking to each other, we start everything on the defensive end.

Our defense creates our offense.

Hopefully the second half we can keep doing that.

>> All right coach, thank you so much, we appreciate your time.

That is Heather Grafing, head coach of the Central Lyon Lions.

We go back down to the four for a special part of the tournament.

It is time for the Hall of Fame.

number back >> the year was 1975, wheel of fortune made its debut.

Microsoft is founded.

The fall of Saigon occurs.

Jaws swims into theaters.

And the hustle is the top song in America.

That year in 1975, Iowa girls basketball experts were taking mighty Minneapolis to be the favorites to win the 1975 title.

However, someone forgot to tell Lakeview Auburn .

The hawk it's behind head coach but McRae featured an intimidating guard court led by twin towers K pick and Jolene Blass.

They held opponents to just 39.

2 points per game , an impressive stat in the high-scoring days of six play basketball.

The forward court of -- was balanced and deep in talent.

Lakeview Auburn lost twice to Manila during the regular season, and flew under the radar when the state tournament began.

That quickly changed with big wins over Hampton , Cedar Rapids, Washington, and South Hamilton in route to its championship game date with Minneapolis.

The focus of Lakeview Auburn was --everything's 56 points per game in the tournament.

A power I zone was devised by coach to keep the future Hall of Famer in check for much of the game.

A basket sent the game into overtime.

Late in the overtime, it gave Minneapolis a 50-40 nightly.

Again came up big.

She rebounded a missed shot and scored to give the hawk it's a 51-50 lead with 16 seconds or meaning.

The guard court came through on Minneapolis's finals possession as they failed to get off a shot securing Lakeview Auburn's first state championship.

Both named to the all-tournament team and both were later inducted into the basketball Hall of Fame.

It has been 50 years since their historic win.

Let's welcome the 2025 on her team back to Des Moines , presenting the 1975 Lakeview Auburn Hawkettes.

congratulations and welcome back to Des Moines and the state basketball tournament.

>> The Iowa girls state basketball tournament process every year to honor its rich history with the induction of the latest class of basketball Hall of Famer's.

It's estimated that over 700,000 girls have played basketball in Iowa high schools.

Out of this impressive number, 250 girls spending 105 years have been inducted into the Iowa girls high school for the union's basketball Hall of Fame.

Today, three more legends of the hardcourt have been selected as basketball Hall of Famer's.

Let's meet this year's class but presenting Hall of Fame awards is executive director and president of the Iowa Farm Bureau.

Our first inductee tonight is Carmen jaspers of Geneva.

Carmen start from 1981 to 1985 in the six player game playing in the same era as Hall of Fame superstars Jen Jensen, Carmen was a three-time all-state selection.

She scored 3221 career points , and her team reached the state tournament three times.

As a senior she averaged 40.

8 points per game shooting an amazing 76% from the field as the Raiders reached the state quarterfinals.

Carmen took her talents to Iowa State and she enjoyed a stellar career with the cyclones, a three-year starter, she earned all-conference honors as a junior when she averaged 15.

6 points and 6.

9 rebounds and was Iowa states female athlete of the year.

A two-time all-academic, all-conference selection, finished her Iowa State career with 1097 career points.

Her career field-goal percentage of 62% still ranks second in Iowa state history.

After receiving her degree, Carmen play professional ball in Japan before settling in Wichita working as a personal trainer working with seniors dealing with joint replacement, cancer, and other health issues.

She and her husband Bart have four children and the couple stayed busy following their son Brady who started Kansas and now plays for the Toronto Raptors.

Ladies and gentlemen, congratulations and welcome to the Hall of Fame from Geneva, Carmen Jaspers-Dick.

>> our next honoree becomes the first player from Iowa city high to be inducted into the basketball Hall of Fame.

She starred at city high from 2004 to 2008.

She earned first team all have it stayed on or three times while leading the little Hawks to three state tournament appearances.

She was the Gatorade Iowa player of the year her senior year in 2008 where she averaged 18.

5 points, 7.

9 rebounds, 2.

7 steals, and one .

5 blocks per game.

She led city high to the class for a state championship when she averaged 22.

7 points and nine rebounds at state.

She was named captain of the all-tournament team and was the overall MVP of the state tournament.

In addition to her basketball prowess, she was an elite track and field athlete winning a class for a 400 m title also being part of two state championship relay teams.

Staying close to home she became a three-year starter at the University of Iowa and was a key contributor on three NCAA tournament teams.

As well as being a cocaptain for the Hawkeyes her senior year.

A brilliant student , she went on to receive her medical degree at Des Moines University and now practices sports medicine at Mercy one Genesis in the Quad cities.

She resides in Bettendorf with her dog Wrigley.

It's welcome her back to the well.

From Iowa city high, Hall of Famer Kelly cry!

tonight's final honoree utilized every ounce of talent out of her 5'4" frame to become the most decorated basketball player in the history of the Iowa five player ever.

She and her teammates at Pocahontas area Haskell collected 100 wins with just seven losses during her four years.

She reached the state tournament three times.

She was all have a tournament captain in all three appearances in helping the Indians win two class three a championships.

She earned Iowa Gatorade player of the year her junior and senior seasons as she averaged 29 points over both seasons.

As a senior she averaged dirty points , four rebounds, 7.

3 assists, and 4.

6 deals per game while shooting almost 55% from behind the three-point line.

A highlight of the season came on senior night in Pocahontas area against Manson Northwest Webster where she became Iowa's career scoring leader, breaking the record of 2756 points held by rock Valley Hall of Famer.

She was even more lethal in the state tournament her senior season as she became Iowa's career assist the reader in the first-round victory , then erupting for a state record 48 points making a state record 83 pointers in the Indians' win over Centerpoint appeared she would later be named miss Iowa basketball.

She took her talents to Missouri State and played in every game of her collegiate career.

Missouri State would reach two NCAA tournaments during her tenure including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2017 where she averaged a career-best 9.

7 points while leading the team in three-pointers.

She has since returned to Iowa and now teaches sixth grade social studies and is an assistant coach on the basketball team that reached the state tournament this year.

She is also a color analyst on Iowa Public television state tournament broadcast and let's welcome her back home.

From Pocahontas area, the Iowa scoring Queen Hall of Famer, Ellie rough ridge!

ladies and gentlemen, once again present the Iowa girls high school for Kenyans Hall of Fame class of 2025 , from Accra, Geneva, Carmen Jaspers-Dick it from Iowa city high, Kelly, and from Pocahontas area, Elle Ruffridge.

Congratulations!

>> Congratulations to all three .

We will let Ellie take a breather before we put her back to work.

Central Lyon leads Hinton here at half.

>> Back here at halftime as the tuxedo sweepers make sure that floor is clean and the tradition is kept.

Pristine , Central Lyon leads Hinton by three here in class 2A, one of the staples of the class 2A volleyball and basketball tournaments was this person, Paige Peterson.

You remember her.

She was in every championship game or senior, junior, freshman and sophomore year.

Payton, you played a lot of sports.

You played here in in-state tournament spirit what is it like to be back here?

>> It's pretty cool.

Obviously a little different than the last time I've been here.

I remember walking in and the warm-ups were happening.

Like okay, this is a little different.

I was still getting excited for them like all right, here we go!

>> You're an athlete, it doesn't go away.

You are wearing pink pants, not the blue and white striped pants that coach had you were all the time.

You are now at Louisville playing volleyball, you had a big-time freshman year.

What was the highlight for you?

>> I think just the people there and being able to go to practice every day and truly enjoy what we are doing.

Obviously making it to the championship is something I'm going to be forever grateful for.

Such an amazing experience.

>> You are a gamer, no doubt about it.

When your number was called when that injury happened and you go in to the biggest moment of the season, just come up, everybody is talking about you online.

What was that like?

>> It was pretty special.

Thankful for the state tournament because I feel like it prepared me for that moment because the Iowa tournament is so big.

I just think that it was something truly special to be in that moment.

I think sometimes he gets nervous in that moment but I'm super thankful for it.

>> Here you are playing basketball and you played through some tough games.

This is last year's state final.

Those games weren't easy.

Some were extremely close.

When you see that pile and you see those friends, your sister is in there, what is it like when you all still talked?

>> It gets a little sad watching that back because you definitely miss it but just super thankful to grow up and have those amazing people, still friends with those people to the state.

>> I'm not going to ask you to pick your favorite child but which title game was your favorite game, either volleyball or basketball?

>> I think actually the panorama game last year because it's very intense, it was really close, and it came down to the wire.

>> One last basketball related question, why is it that you always got sick during the regional final?

>> I don't know!

But this year I did not get sick in Louisville, so I don't know if it was just a basketball thing or what.

>> Thanks to your coach helping me out with that because I would not have known.

When you come back and you see Elle Ruffridge, I know you are watching that video.

He watched her play.

Soon you are going to be out there.

You are likely in the Hall of Fame for volleyball and basketball.

A lot of great memories and times but when you look back at all of it, are you fortunate that you grew up here in Iowa?

>> Very fortunate.

Obviously these people have come before me and the things the Iowa girls union does for us, I think just to grow up in Iowa, it's nothing like any other state.

>> Someday you are going to be after analyzing games with me, right?

>> Exactly!

>> Great to see you, congratulations on the jack North award coming to you soon from University of Louisville volleyball.

We have a whole bunch of items going on.

What are we doing next?

We are going to talk to coach.

Matt Leary is going to join us from Hinton.

He's on the headset down quartzite and he came out of the halftime interview --or, halftime conversation, as we get ready to find out.

What would does Levins say about your first half there?

>> Yeah, coach would say you know, you are in a good place.

You are down one possession.

We are not playing our A game.

We are losing the rebounding battle.

Coach was always big on that too.

So yeah, we have to rebound a little bit better and knock down a few more shots.

>> I asked coach Heather Grafing about the style of play.

It seems like everything is being contested.

Passes, rebounds.

How do your girls respond to such an intense part of the action?

>> Yeah, both teams really thrive on their defense leading to their offense.

So yeah, she is 100% right.

Everybody has got a hand in the face, even the shots made are contested.

Just a good, intense Northwest Iowa style of basketball.

>> You are doing Northwest Iowa proud.

All right coach, appreciate your time.

That is Matt Leary, head coach at Hinton.

Here are the first half highlights.

It was a pretty good game.

I mean, really good game, who am I kidding here?

Early on its Keely Derochie for Hinton.

She would drive adjust control, nobody in double figures right now for either team.

Very balanced and very low-scoring too, but Sydney Doeschot again , and now it's Aubrey Metzger for Central Lyon.

She gets the pass here out on the outlet, puts it back into the bucket and scores two.

Metzger gets the dish, and that is how the first half played out.

It was a three right at the end as we get ready for half number two.

Here are the statistics.

Let's go back down to Brad and the Hall of Famer to break it down.

>> Thank you very much, three three-pointers for Central Lyon, one for Hinton.

Otherwise , the rebounding battle, just one rebound difference between the two and certainly taking advantage of those points off of turnovers in the ensuing possession, but a couple of threes from Central Lyon, that's why it is a three-point lead for the Lions right now.

>> It is a one possession game.

You have to take it away, score, stop.

We have 60 minutes left to play.

It is a toss up right now.

Each team battling for rebounds, each team disrupting passes, having ball pressure, making it hard for each other to score.

It's a defense of battle.

>> I like that coach Leary said this is Northwest Iowa basketball .

When I was talking with Hinton's Addison Glass' mom who is here, she played for coach Leary back in the 90s, it was the first years of five player basketball, and she said yeah, the game now is a little faster paced than the slow pace we played in.

A three to get at started for Hinton.

Let's not it up at 22.

>> Addison Glass, I've been really impressed.

She has a really quick shot, but it's her footwork and her ability to get her body squared to the basket with a quick release like that.

>> And there is a turnover, Hinton gets it back.

so, here is Addison Glass handling the pressure .

Hits the three to start the second half.

Doeschot across the lane now, kick out, Pigott fires the three, and strong with the rebound is Metzger.

>> Hinton a lot of times on offense will do a simple screen and roll, and if that doesn't fall , everyone is packed in the paint because of the roles, because of the dishes like that, leaving the perimeter open.

>> And Addy Pigott with delay in and Hinton coming out of the halftime locker room on fire.

Let's listen in to Central Lyon head coach, Heather Grafing.

>> I don't know who that was but just make sure you extend out.

If she drives, she's going to run in, okay?

Get out and get a hand up.

I would be right here.

Go three across at the beginning of the half court.

We are going to write into the ball screens, okay?

Stay on the attack.

All right, defense, 123!

>> If they make a mistake, she kind of holds one hand up and it's their signal to flush it.

Just move on to the next play.

It helps keep the kids loose.

>> We've heard a lot of coaches have the same philosophy with their kids.

You have to flush it, be a goldfish.

Last night's T model.

You lose your memory after 10 seconds if you're a goldfish, you have to flush and move onto the next play.

Go make a difference on the other side of the court even if he did make a mistake.

>> Metzger getting double teams inside by the Hinton defense and here is a shot rebounded by Hinton and the Blackhawks out and running, pull up jumper from the free-throw line and it takes in.

Doeschot got hit from behind.

An opportunity for the old-fashioned three-point play.

>> She's coming down looking to stop and pop , Austin comes up from behind and gives her a little snake bite, and that will do it for the rest to put her on the line.

>> It'll be Austin's first personal foul.

Offensive rebound.

Kempema is another opportunity and now a drive into contact.

Doeschot's shot does not fall because he was in there scrapping and fighting for the rebound, Karlyn Kovarna for Hinton.

Possession arrow will give it to the lions.

Central Lyon 21-4 on the season, Hinton unbeaten, 25-0 and now Struckman gives it back to the Blackhawks.

Ayda Vander Zee into the game as Struckman gets a breather after turning it over.

So, Addy Pigott to inbound.

>> Both defenses, we have seen it all game, finding little ways to disrupt passes to speed you up and make you uncomfortable.

>> 32 minutes of pressure from both teams, isn't it?

>> Yes.

>> Speaking of pressure, there is a take away by Vander Zee.

that one goes on Addison Glass.

tipped pass.

>> Again there is Pigott.

We say that name a lot on defense because that's what she does.

She played at Cherokee last year.

Last year, she was in two knee braces.

She tore her ACL in her right leg and after that to her PCL in her left leg.

Last year she was on the bench being a supporter , and the resiliency she has, she's playing in the state championship game right now and she said the biggest take away she took from that was to not take anything in life for granted.

>> She is moving really well to battle back, rehabbing and doing what she needed do do to tip the cap to Pigott.

>> Because of the obstacle she ran into, it has inspired her to study exercise science potentially at South Dakota State University.

>> Awesome story and a foul on the drive , it will be free throws coming for Pigott.

The foul goes on Hoogendoorn.

You see coach Matt Leary in your number 53.

Veteran coaches in this game too.

It is her 10th with Central Lyon.

Pigott, eight points in the quarterfinals, seven points in the semi finals.

She had five steals against rock Valley.

Multi sport athlete, plays volleyball and track and field.

Vander Zee over to Austin.

Austin lost it momentarily.

Fans wanted a truffle but I don't think she had cleaned possession.

Here is Oedekoven.

>> Central Lyon allowed a pass, cut, screen away, simple motion offense right now, drive and kick.

>> Great rebound from Raelyn Kempema , the freshman at 6'1".

She had eight rebounds are ready.

She doesn't have any points yet but having a positive impact for this Keely Derochie.

>> Exactly, and I think if you are playing basketball and you are known for scoring , sometimes it's not going to be your knight.

You have to find other ways to make an impact on the floor whether it is rebounding, getting steals.

>> Puts her on the board right there, averages eight points a game, her first in this state championship game and now a travel violation gives it back to Hinton with a five point lead.

>> You have to think here, with this momentum, with her hitting that shot, this is going to get her hot for the rest of the game.

>> Central Lyon with a time-out, let's listen into the Hinton huddle.

Head coach Matt Leary wearing a microphone for us.

>> Who is guarding you?

Number 10?

Okay.

All right, we are going to run double, okay?

Ball is going to be over here.

Got the ball out, okay?

Addie and --are over here.

You two act like you are screening.

IC doubles out on you again, cut to the opposite block.

Don't follow behind her, cut to the opposite block.

You two fill in high, okay?

Let's go and get a bucket here and get into 13, okay?

Blackhawks on three, 123, Blackhawks!

>> Hinton with their largest lead of the game at 29-24.

A five-point lead does not make the nerves and easier on the parents.

There is Cara Glass, Addison Glass's mom.

Leading Hinton right now with 11 points.

She played for Hinton in the mid-90s.

'94 to '98.

Speaking of Northwest Iowa basketball, she said that's the team that beat me my senior year.

They put a box and one on me, but these kids get up and down the floor a lot more than what Cara and her teammates did in the 90s.

In the game has evolved and the coaches and these players evolving with it.

And here is Addison Glass with the basketball.

Over to Kempema, and traveled with it to give it back to the Lions.

>> She knocked one down a couple possessions ago.

She needs to have confidence in order to knock that shot down.

A girl is not going to come out and guard you, you missed a couple, how about confidence?

Shoot your shot.

>> Hinton creates a turnover with the full-court pressure.

Glass, the dump off, Pigott for two more.

Blackhawks by seven as Vander Zee now works it into Austin.

Austin attacks the freshman, counted, and-one!

>> How big has Alexis Austin come up in the state championship game?

I feel like everywhere we look she's doing something either away from the ball , she has the ball in her hands right there, she just went up with contact, finished, looking to get this three-point play right here.

>> When we talked to her, she is like I love assisting my teammate.

Right now she leads the Lions in points.

She has 12 here in this state championship game doing whatever her team needs.

She's going to get a breather as Struckman comes back onto the floor for head coach Heather Grafing.

>> And again Brad, at the beginning of the game a lot of the attention was on the two bigs.

We talked about Kempema for Hinton, Metzger for Central Lyon.

Sometimes when all that attention is on other players, this is your time to shine.

>> Sometimes it's the second, third, or even fourth score , a couple extra shots in a big game.

Forced into a travel violation , Taylor Rypkema creates the turnover.

Substitution , Austin back into the game, a short rest for Alexis Austin.

full-court pass up ahead to bring the press.

>> A lot of times when you're breaking the press, a lot of people say get to the middle and if you typically do get it to the middle, you have a really high chance of breaking the press.

Vander Zee right there finding Metzger in the middle.

>> Struckman, offensive rebound.

Rypkema has her pocket picked.

Doeschot to the offensive end, a foul is going to be called on Metzger as Metzger helps Doeschot up, and for Metzger, her second personal foul as we take another look.

She's always in attack mode.

>> Doeschot splitting the T right there going up strong.

We talked to her.

She gives private lessons.

I love that about her.

This is a kid who is still working on her craft, but she gives back and likes to give private lessons to people in her community, which I think is great.

She said she likes working with all levels but I think her favorite is sixth grade on up and I talked to her and said what you think about the fundamentals?

She said I'm all in on fundamentals.

That is all we do.

She does a lot of footwork finishing up at the basket and she teaches that to kids, but I think she works on it herself too.

>> She definitely does.

She works with about 17 or 18 different kids, usually groups of three or four, maybe five kids at a time.

So there is a bunch watching out there, watching coach put on a clinic in the fundamentals here in a state championship game.

Hinton, a six point lead, 1:25 to play here in the third quarter.

Three for Central Lyon will not fall.

Central Lyon made three three-pointers in the first half , and they have missed three of their attempts so far here in the second half.

>> Hinton a little spacing issue right there as Doeschot hits the big three.

If Hinton wants to be successful in the half-court defense, they have to have court awareness.

>> Doeschot hits the three, Pigott creates the turnover, but Glass is called for the travel violation.

Coach Leary likes what he sees out of his Hinton Blackhawks.

>> You have for Hinton players right there.

Showing a little emotion right there.

She is pumped.

Look to see to get a good defense of possession right here for Hinton.

>> Her team has a nine point lead here in the state championship game, 43 seconds to go here in the third quarter.

Hoogendoorn gets blocked by Kovarna.

Up ahead to Pigott, layup is good!

here is a blob into Metzger.

Metzger gets the much-needed basket for Central Lyon and an and-one opportunity.

>> Great finish and perfect pass right there to Metzger.

>> Fouled called on Derochie , and to the free-throw line, Aubrey Metzger.

She is into double figures now, 11 points and seven rebounds , she has two double-doubles already here this weekend at the state tournament .

Central Lyon needs a few stops here defensively.

>> Yes, they do.

>> Might get one at the end of the third quarter, and they do come up with a stop on the shot from Doeschot.

It is off the mark.

A rematch of a December 17 game that happened at Central Lyon high school , and a rematch of the regional final in 2023 and 2024.

All right, Elle, let's take a look .

Spirit Lake was here at the state tournament.

Assistant coach, are you nervous as a coach?

>> Yes, I am nervous for them.

>> How about this, they were all here today, you got inducted into the Hall of Fame.

If you are watching at halftime, you saw it.

In 2017, Iowa miss basketball, it's been a busy week for you.

2017, Elle was on the cover of the state program , and I tell you what, being here at state as a player, as a coach, and as an announcer, you have a lot of different perspectives.

You have any favorite memories?

>> Obviously being here as a player tops at all.

Being here with your teammates, your family, your community, there is nothing like it.

I like the school.

I could not be great without the greatness of others, and I have so much support here for me today.

My phone has been going on.

So maybe the people came out to support me .

It's been amazing.

It's been a really busy week for me.

I am taking it hour by hour, day by day.

I have soaked it all up.

It's going to be amazing for even better working with you, Brad.

>> It's a lot of fun.

We get these state champion ship games here Friday and Saturday for the Iowa high school girls at beginning.

They do a top-notch job putting this tournament on.

they?

>> It's incredible.

We talk about it every year.

They do little things each year to make the girls state tournament just a little bit better, and last night in the three a game, we talked about the pregame video, the hype video, I had chills at the start of that game just to get the players, the atmosphere, the hype.

>> You get everybody ready to go for the start of the first quarter, now the start of the fourth quarter, how about bodies on the floor, block shots, everything contested, everything we have seen from start to finish here in this class 2A title game.

Hinton and Central Lyon both from Northwest Iowa, Hinton comes away with the take away.

Kovarna, another steal.

>> Hinton got lucky on that one, a little miscommunication right there between Pigott -- >> you talk about support staff too that is here supporting you, these players all have support of their own.

As Kovarna earns a trip to the free-throw line.

On the Central Lyon bench there's an assistant coach that has been part of your support system growing up, assistant coach Greg Towne has been with coach Heather Grafing all 10 years, and he was your teacher back in middle school.

That is his claim to fame, right?

>> He was!

Back in middle school I actually went to middle school in Pomeroy Iowa, so that was when our high schools were joining Pocahontas area, the high school was being rebuilt and Pocahontas so they sent the seventh and eighth graders there, and he was my consider science teacher and my art teacher.

He is a man of many talents.

Also if in fact, my mom ran into --back in the great for any of you who know what that is.

Out there in the hot summer pulling corn, and Mr. town also was our bus driver.

I have all kinds of stories to tell with him.

Great guy, great coach.

>> A man of many traits.

A computer science teacher, art teacher, good driving the bus.

Excellent basketball coach as well.

Here is the kick out, Glass for three, and Hinton pushes their lead to 10!

The Central Lyon coaching staff too , as Georgie Oedekoven gets fouled from behind, the Central Lyon coaching staff really at the start of the season, they have gone through a lot, so head coach Heather Grafing shared with me she lost her dad in August.

Battled Kennedy's disease .

He coached me when I was little.

He is a huge basketball fan.

I always talked to him about our games, these Central Lyon players also.

They did not have to but all showed up .

They all wore shirts with his favorite thing on the back that said it's bigger than basketball.

She said this team being in the championship game, he would be so proud of them.

Certainly watching from up above.

>> Absolutely.

She also told us too, whenever she's going through something in a game or she wants the best for her players, she finds herself sometimes just looking up to the sky, maybe getting a little guidance or help from dad.

We know that he's very, very proud of his daughter right now.

>> She loves pouring everything she has into these kids.

These kids, they gave me everything that they have.

I could not ask for anything more.

Right now a nine point deficit as Hinton with 6 1/2 to go has a lead, now Central Lyon with the take away.

Hoogendoorn ahead to Metzger, Metzger misses, offensive rebound and the put back is good for two!

Aubrey Metzger 13 points, eight rebounds.

And a Central Lyon defense cranking up the intensity!

A travel, and it's a turnover.

Central Lyon gets it back!

Time-out, Blackhawks!

>> It is a game of runs.

Hinton has the momentum.

You have to have the feeling Central Lyon has the momentum right now going into the time-out.

>> Aubrey Metzger finding another level.

We talked about this being a rematch.

Let's take about Northwest Iowa.

We are going to go Northwest and Pocahontas, we are going to go to Hinton and rock rapids , over 200 miles for both schools , but I think it's about 57, 58 miles from high school to high school, all made the trip to Des Moines and Elle, they all stayed down here for this week as for Central Lyon practicing in the arena in Sioux City to get a big arena feel, for Hinton, also Wednesday's weather , they still played games down here but it canceled a lot of teams' practices.

Hinton was supposed to practice at Grandview and did not have any power so they had to practice somewhere else, do a little walk-through at the hotel.

It's been a fun week, only one team can leave with the state title.

>> It is a fun week, a memorable week, but also a very stressful one for coaches that really just want to make this week as smooth as possible for their athletes, maybe think about setting up shootaround, setting up practices, ordering meals.

>> Metzger a shot, misses, puts back for two.

>> Getting hotel rooms, the list goes on and on.

I mentioned this earlier.

Having time for game film and putting a game plan together, so impressive what coaches are able to do day in and day out for their kids.

>> We see a lot of them stick around and watch the games after, kind of absorbed the state tournament experience.

A much-needed basket, and it's Kempema for three!

>> So big.

When she was in elementary school she wrote herself a letter.

>> I heard the story.

Tell me about this note to her future self.

>> She was lower elementary and you were supposed to write a letter to your future self of what you want to do, your dreams, what you want to accomplish, and she wrote to herself she wanted to play at Wells Fargo Arena someday.

Well, you are playing at Wells Fargo Arena and you are 5:20 away from doing something special!

>> She said I realized I wanted to try to start as a freshman.

That became a goal for her.

Talking to her yesterday, she says I have worked for this.

We have keys to the gym so I can get in and practice is much as I want.

>> That always helps when you have the connections to get into the gym.

>> Free throw by Metzger gets the friendly roll, back to a seven point lead for Hinton, Central Lyon had the deficit down to five just a moment ago.

Here is Doeschot , reached 1000 career points earlier this season.

Family moved, was in the Kingsley Pierson school district.

Here is a take away.

Hoogendoorn gets back to her Rypkema hand, draws the foul and will have free throws .

Doeschot called for her second.

so, Hoogendoorn, Five Points, five assists, first free throw is good.

Central Lyon not going anywhere.

Central Lyon double-digit offensive rebounds here tonight.

They have done that in all three games at the state tournament, that has helped them get back in here in this fourth quarter.

>> Turnovers and rebounds is going to be the narrative of this game.

Looking at our computer right here, Central Lyon has 18 turnovers, Hinton has 19 turnovers, rebounds, I mean Central Lyon is 26, Hinton has 24.

>> You have to credit the defenses though, right?

It's been impossible to pass.

The simple things are hard!

>> On ball defense, ball pressure, defense away from the ball getting into the passing lanes, they are working their tails off on defense and it's hard to catch her breath on the offensive side.

That's why we are seeing some turnovers committed mostly on the offensive side.

>> Central Lyon gets it to Struckman.

Struckman's pass is deflected.

Danika Hoogendoorn , her older sister was on the 2023 all-tournament team.

Here is Oedekoven earning another trip to the free-throw line.

Just three points and five rebounds, all of her points have come at this charity stripe.

4:05 to play.

First free throw is too strong.

Coach Heather Grafing, she is a teacher, fifth and sixth grade social studies teacher.

Elle, you can replay.

A Georgie Little Rock grad back in 1999.

Went on to play at Northwestern College where Aubrey Metzger will be taking her talents.

Coach Heather Grafing, runner-up as a freshman and national champ as a sophomore, now her defense creates a turnover and it'll be Central Lyon basketball with 3:50 to play, a four point game.

now puts it up with the left hand, and a fight for the offensive rebound, Oedekoven comes up with another one for the Lions!

>> Looking for the up and under move, it was a pretty move, could not get the ball to fall, but then she went after her own rebound and got it.

Got the rebound saving another offensive possession here for the Lions.

>> Austin off of a screen, lobs it up high for Metzger into a double-team, kicks it up to Struckman, eight on the shot clock.

Struckman over to Austin , and we are going to have a chump ball here on the rebound.

How about Kovarna and Metzger battling for that rebound?

Hinton basketball on the possession arrow.

here is Addison Glass.

14 points for Hinton.

Doeschot also with 14.

Now Sydney Doeschot.

She goes to work, shot clock at 10, Doeschot left side goes right at Metzger and gets it to go over top of 6'2".

>> That was just simple offense right there.

Hinton going with just one ballscrew.

They were patient enough using the shot clock , another good look for Doeschot going downhill.

>> Defense creates a turnover, now Doeschot wants to attack trying to create, loses it out of bounds, but it'll stay with the Blackhawks.

Ayda Vander Zee coming into the game, breathe are coming for Danika Hoogendoorn, and a time-out taken by Central Lyon head coach Heather Grafing , and let's take a look at Aubrey Metzger, the senior headed to Northwestern College.

Goes by "Bird. "

Goes to work on the offensive glass.

She is efficient inside.

She has great hands, doesn't she?

>> Great hands, great footwork .

>> Let's listen in to coach Heather Grafing.

>> What we need right now is we need some defense of stops, rebounds, and keep pushing all right?

Offensively we are packed.

You guys have to attack.

You can play soft.

Defense, 123!

One at a time, let's go.

>> To explain Aubrey Metzger's nickname, bird, she told us in fifth grade I wore a yellow shirt and shorts to a basketball practice, and since I was way taller than everybody else, they called me big bird and now they just call me Bert.

I will tell you what, she had a fantastic senior season.

Scored 39 points against Okoboji, that is a school record.

She broke --record who is at the University of South Dakota.

And had 23 rebounds.

That is a school record, most in the game.

Did that against rock Valley.

When I asked about it she just deflected to her teammates.

I cannot do any of it without my teammates.

They celebrate me and left me so much and I love them.

That is all she could talk about was this team.

That is a travel on Doeschot.

Central Lyon 's defense comes up with a stop down six with 2:052 play.

>> That's what I love talking with the Central Lyon team, they all have their own strengths, they are all unique individuals, but they are a team, they celebrate each other's successes and they could not have been happier for Aubrey and the success she has had this season.

It's been so special for her and all of the lion girls on this team.

>> For any bird references, Larry Bird might be fitting.

She's got another rebound, she has got it, puts it back up in in!

Metzger 18 points, 10 rebounds, her third double-double in three games at the state tournament, comes up with a block but gets called for the foul.

Kempema, the freshman, will go to the free-throw line.

For Metzger, that is her third.

Let's take another look at Metzger inside.

>> Metzger just a ball hawk.

A magnet towards the ball.

She gets rewarded with that rebound with two points.

>> Recruited her 500 career rebound in a regional game this season.

There you see head coach Matt Leary working with a five point lead , and has the freshman Raelyn Kempema at the free-throw line.

Metzger with another rebound, total up to 11 now.

She had 18 points, 12 rebounds in the quarterfinals.

22 points, 16 rebounds to get to the championship game defeating top-seeded Blacksburg Fremont.

Oedekoven misses the shot.

And a travel is called on Karlyn Kovarna.

So, Central Lyon gets it back , 1:10 up on the clock.

The Lions in purple down five.

Hoogendoorn, the layup makes it a one possession game, and a time-out taken by coach Heather Grafing.

>> Such a good look right there by Hoogendoorn.

She saw the right-handed layup was wide open.

So much attention right now is on Aubrey.

So you know what, you have the wide open layup , you take with the defense is going to give you without hesitation.

>> Let's listen in to Hinton.

>> 22, you are going to run the baseline.

We are going to run double fat.

Let's go.

Blackhawks on three.

Don't turn the corner.

Make them foul us.

>> Make them foul us, try to take care of the basketball.

Coach Matt Leary describing the first meeting this season on December 17 when Hinton defeated Central Lyon by seven, he said it was a fast-paced game, both teams just a defense of mentality and man is it playing out here.

>> Central Lyon does have two fouls to give but right here I agree with coach Heather Grafing, just get a good defense of stop.

One stop and we go down to the other end for a score.

>> And a three-point lead for Hinton.

They are working some time off the clock.

Here is Doeschot now, shot clock at six, and Glass with the basketball flips it to the corner to Pigott, and that's going to be out of bounds.

Hit the bottom of the backboard.

Central Lyon comes up with at the stop they need down three with 30 seconds left.

the shot clock should be turned off now.

We have one second showing on the shot clock here in the arena.

Again, not only is this a rematch from December when Hinton defeated Central Lyon 67-60, but Central Lyon defeated Hinton in the regional final, the game to go to state in 2023 and 2024 , Elle.

They have had some good ones.

One possession game, 30 seconds to go.

You ready?

>> This is exactly what you could've expected for tonight's rematch.

Here we go, folks.

>> Vander Zee, now Metzger and Austin.

Metzger on the Rypkema block will get fouled and will have free throws coming!

15 point for on the clock, the foul goes on Kovarna, her fourth.

We take another look, a little pick and roll.

>> We have seen that a few times tonight.

We have seen a lot of lobs, getting it inside to Aubrey.

>> Metzger's first free throw is off the mark.

She has 18 points, 11 rebounds.

This is a pressure packed shot right here.

She will play basketball at Northwestern College.

Loves with that program has to offer.

Central Lyon with the time-out after the make on the free-throw to make it a two point game.

Let's listen in to coach grazing.

>> It doesn't matter who it is.

We have to get one more team foul up there.

As soon as they throw it in, go for the ball.

As soon as they throw it in, go for the ball right away.

Foul them , stop them.

If we can, 22 will be the girl you want to foul.

When we get back, call a time-out, okay?

Ready.

123, defense!

>> 15 seconds left, time is a precious commodity right now.

>> If you are listening closely, coach Heather Grafing said we need to foul.

Does not matter who we foul, we just have to I'll foul right away.

>> Hinton will inbound with Addy Pigott, the senior.

>> We have seen in the second half Central Lyon 's defense pick it up.

They could even get a foul right away but they are tenacious on defense.

I could have seen a tip, a steal.

>> The pass across the baseline is only allowed because it's after a made basket.

People might say it's out of bounds, but if you are all the way out of bounds after and made basket, you are allowed even after a time-out.

You can still either run the baseline or past the baseline.

The officials now having a discussion .

>> I think it's about how much time .

>> A lot of time came off, perhaps.

The foul was almost immediate.

15 point for, is that where we were at?

Less than three seconds.

so, foul coming right away from the Lions.

Excuse me, Hinton is going to try to get in some of their best free-throw shooters' hands.

And they get it to Addison Glass, the sophomore.

Who's mom has nervously been watching from the front row.

Played for Hinton herself in the 90s, never made it to state, but you see her there , not nervous at all, right?

I don't even know if she's going to watch.

First free throw misses.

Substitution now, Metzger back onto the floor, Vander Zee into the game.

Second free throw misses, it's a two point game!

Central Lyon with an opportunity to tie with a score.

Five seconds left, and a time-out taken by Central Lyon, their final time-out of the game!

4.

8!

Holy cow!

>> Sometimes this game is too fast for me to see what's going on, who is where, what is going on, and right there Central Lyon got really lucky because that looked like it was about ready to be a turnover for Hinton.

Or, Hinton getting the ball.

>> Don't give up.

Give it to God that's another salute to head coach Heather Grafing's dad who passed away in August.

You talk about that, it was almost a take away by Hinton.

From the very start of this game to the very end we have seen every pass , every shot, every rebound challenged, contested, fought for .

>> And that is on the defense is both teams defensively showed up tonight, and it's going to come down to the most physical team, who wants it more right here.

Dig deeper hear these last five seconds, 4.

8 seconds.

>> Central Lyon has made three three-pointers in this game.

Will they go for the win, play for the Thai, 4.

8, a two point lead for the Blackhawks.

Inbounds pass underneath as Alexis Austin tried to catch and go immediately up with the shot and it's out of bounds.

It's going to be Central Lyon basketball and now Hinton head coach Matt Leary is going to call a time-out to talk through what he wants to see defensively , now three-point to seconds up on the clock with a class 2A championship on the line.

Let's listen in to head coach Matt Leary with a two point lead.

>> We know it's going to Metzger, okay?

Be ready to help on that , switch on any screens, okay?

She was up here that time setting the screen , trying to get her to come there.

Everybody rotate over to her.

You have to go to her no matter what.

All right?

Box out, get a rebound.

Let's go.

Blackhawks on three.

123, Blackhawks!

Get your hands up.

>> I love both coach's and demeanors.

Very clear with their direction.

They are expecting it to go to Aubrey Metzger.

>> That's what I was just about to say.

If you are in Central Lyon's time-out, that's what you want them to think.

Who has had a really good game here tonight?

Alexis Austin.

I would maybe look to get her the ball right here and use Metzger as a decoy.

>> Metzger sets the screen up top, the three is blocked, Hinton with the loose basketball, and the 2025 2A title !

well, we should have expected a defense of play would win this one.

Look at Sydney Doeschot fly out and get the block on the Vander Zee three-point attempt.

>> Play of the game right here.

She came out of the gym to deflect that ball.

>> She works defense of drills as well, it is not all offensive.

The pink T-shirts are coming out, and Hinton , state champions.

They have been here seven times.

There is your final score, 48-46 , 2002 state runner-up in class one a and now for the first time on top, state champions, the Hinton Blackhawks!

>> here is your class 2A all-tournament team.

From Central Lyon, Danika Hoogendoorn!

From Hinton, Karlyn Kovarna!

From Eddyville Blacksburg Fremont, Molly Schafer!

from Regina Catholic in Iowa city, Addie McLaughlin.

From Central Lyon, Aubrey Metzger!

And your 2025 2A all-tournament team captain , from Hinton, Sydney Doeschot!

>> Sydney Doeschot's 16 points, the junior captain of the all-tournament team had 18 points in the quarterfinals, 24 points in the semi finals, and caps it off with a team-high 16 points as Addison Glass has 14 in this championship game.

You have ladies that left it all out there in Des Moines all week long.

>> from Hinton, Sydney Doeschot !

>> Your 2025 class 2A runner-up, the Central Lyon Lions and head coach Heather Grafing.

And now fans, let's hear it for your 2025 class 2A champion, the Hinton Blackhawks , head coach Matt Leary!

>> Hinton completes the undefeated season 26-0 as the 3 seed they win the 2025 class 2A state champion, the school's first ever and get revenge over a Central Lyon team who has defeated them the last two seasons in the regional final.

Central Lyon finishes 21-5, they were runners-up in 2022 and 2023 and now again in 2025 .

Won the state title in 2012, but the Hinton Blackhawks win it all.

That was an exciting one in class 2A.

Let's send it to the top at Wells Fargo Arena, Paul Yeager ready to break down all the highlights.

>> Thank you very much, great job in great finish.

There we see the tournament captain , great finish there in the contest.

That one was exciting.

Guess what, four down, four champions , we have one to go.

One more class in class 3A seven, the skull schools.

It was an awesome finish.

Your champion.

For all of us here at Iowa PBS and all around the talk on the court , so long from Des Moines!

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