Class 3A — Estherville Lincoln Central Midgets vs. Ballard Bombers
Season 2022 Episode 902 | 1h 40m 22sVideo has Closed Captions
Estherville Lincoln Central Midgets take on Ballard Bombers for the 3A title.
Iowa PBS presents the 2022 IGHSAU Girls State Basketball Championships live from Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Estherville Lincoln Central Midgets take on Ballard Bombers for the 3A title.
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Iowa Girls State Basketball Championships is a local public television program presented by Iowa PBS
Class 3A — Estherville Lincoln Central Midgets vs. Ballard Bombers
Season 2022 Episode 902 | 1h 40m 22sVideo has Closed Captions
Iowa PBS presents the 2022 IGHSAU Girls State Basketball Championships live from Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Estherville Lincoln Central Midgets take on Ballard Bombers for the 3A title.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch Iowa Girls State Basketball Championships
Iowa Girls State Basketball Championships is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship♪♪ >>> WELCOME INTO DOWNTOWN DES MOINES.
THE COLLECTIVE EYES OF IOWA WILL BE AIMED AT OUR CAPITAL CITY TONIGHT.
INSIDE WELLS FARGO ARENA FOR OUR NIGHT CAP GAME OF IOWA HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS.
IT IS OUR SECOND GAME OF THE EVENING HERE ON STATEWIDE IOWA PBS.
REMEMBER, WE'RE BROADCAST FREE OF CHARGE TO ALL 99 COUNTY OF IOWA.
HELLO, EVERYONE.
JOINING YOU TONIGHT AS WE LIKE TO SAY IN PRIME TIME.
AS IOWA PBS SPORTS BRINGS YOU THE HIGHLIGHTS, THE ANALYSIS AND FEATURES FROM RIGHT HERE AT OUR ONSITE SPORTS DESK.
WE'LL FEATURE ALL THE PAGEANTRY OF THE CHAMPIONSHIPS.
FIRST, LET'S GO COURTSIDE WITH BRAD WELLS AND JACKIE FOR THEIR CALL OF THE 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH, PAUL.
IT IS THE THREE SEED BALLARD AT 23-3.
AND ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL, THE FOUR SEED, FIGHTING FOR THE 3A TITLE.
THE 1982 SIX ON SIX TIGHT AND BALLARD, LAST YEAR'S STATE CHAMP IN 4A.
THIS YEAR THEY GO FOR THE 3A TITLE.
AND THIS YEAR THEY WILL BRING THEIR DEFENSE RIGHT AT THEIR OPPONENT.
BOTH GAMES.
WE EXPECT A GOOD ONE.
>> THEY SAY DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS.
THAT'S WHY THESE TWO TEAMS ARE HERE.
VERY PRETTY, DEFENSIVE MINDED TEAM.
WE'LL SEE A FUN ONE TONIGHT AS THEY GET UP AND PRESSURE EACH OTHER ALL GAME LONG.
>> HERE'S MORE ON ELC.
THEIR EIGHTH TRIM.
THE FRESHMAN LEADS THE WAY.
>> SHE IS AN IMPRESSIVE FRESHMAN.
VERY SOLID SCORER.
EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE, HER DEFENSE LEADS THE TEAM IN STEALS.
SHE IS ALONGSIDE JADEN NITCHALS.
THE TWO OF THEM PLUS THEIR SENIOR POINT GUARD LEADER, KAITLYN TENDAL WILL LEAD THE WAY.
>> BALLARD IS EXPERIENCED HERE AT 4A.
THIS IS A 30-POINT PER GAME AND TWO RETURNING STARTERS FROM THAT CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
NOW WE TURN IT OVER TO PUBLIC ADDRESS ANNOUNCER TIM FITZPATRICK.
>> AND IT'S NOW TIME TO MEET YOUR CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS.
>> Announcer: ELC FANS!
LET'S HEAR IT FOR YOUR MIDGETS!
BALLARD FANS, LET'S HEAR IT FOR YOUR BOMBERS!
>> IT'S TIME TO INTRODUCE THE PLAYERS FOR THE 3A CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH-UP.
FIRST OF ALL, HERE ARE THE STARTERS FOR ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL.
NUMBER ONE, BREI CHRISTOFFER.
NUMBER THREE, ABBY SANDER.
TATUM DUNLAVY.
MARA WHITE.
NUMBER 20, RYLEE YAGER.
NUMBER 21, GABBY PAUL.
NUMBER 32, CARA SCHILTZ.
TAYLOR KLOUCEK AND HILLARY RUSCHY.
NOW FOR BALLARD.
NUMBER 10, KYLIE CALVERT.
CASEY RIGBY.
KASEY LARSON.
ALLIYAH THOMPSON.
MEGAN ROWEDDER.
NUMBER 32, KATE MILLER.
NUMBER HER TO, PAIGE NOE.
NUMBER 42, ALISE VAN PELT.
AND BROOKLYN BAUMGARDNER.
NATHAN SMITH.
MANDEYKINZENBAW.
NOW HERE ARE THE STARTERS.
AT GUARD, 5'7" SENIOR, KAITLYN TENDAL.
FOR BALLARD, JUNIOR NUMBER 2, LILY BEALL.
FOR ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL, NUMBER 14, JORDYN STOKES.
FOR BALLARD AT GUARD.
BROOKE LOEWE.
AT GUARD FOR ELC.
A 5'6" SOPHOMORE, JASEY ANDERSON.
FOR BALLARD, NUMBER 12, MEG RIETZ.
AT GUARD FOR ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL.
A 5'5" FRESHMAN, HAYLEE STOKES.
AT GUARD FOR BALLARD.
NUMBER 25, KYLIE RIGBY.
AND JAYDAN NITCHALS.
NUMBER 44, LILY HILLEBRAND.
FOR BALLARD, KELLY ANDERSON.
TURN YOUR ATTENTION TO THE SCORERS' TABLE AS WE INTRODUCE YOUR OFFICIALS FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AS ASSIGNED BY THE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC UNION.
TRAVIS CARROLL.
CHRISTOPHER THOMAS.
JASON, AND YOUR BENCH OFFICIAL, JAROD RAY.
ALL RIGHT.
WHO IS READY FOR STATE CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL!
>> I HEAR YOU SAYING READY!
THE FIRST ONE CYNIC 2013.
>> IT WILL BE IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO MANAGE THEIR NERVES EARLY.
I LOVE THEIR APPROACH HEADING INTO THE GAME LIKE ANY OTHER GAME.
AT THE SAME TIME, THEY ARE LESS EXPERIENCED ON THE BIG STAGE.
AND THEN THAT STRENGTH OF SISTERHOOD.
THIS IS A TEAM THAT PLAYS FOR EACH OTHER.
>> HOW ABOUT OFFENSIVE MOMENTUM?
>> THEY REALLY SHOT THE BALL WELL IN THE SEMIFINAL GAME.
KYLIE RIGBY, FOUR FOR FOUR.
BIG SHOTS.
THEY'LL WANT TO SEE THAT CONTINUE.
THE MORE SHOTS THEY MAKE, THE EASIER IT WILL BE TO GET THE FULL COURT PRESSURE DEFENSE.
>> WE ARE UNDERWAY IN THE 3A TITLE GAME.
BALLARD IN THE WHITE.
2021, 4A STATE CHAMPIONS.
TWO PLAYERS ON THAT TEAM, STARTERS FROM LAST YEAR'S CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
THE STEAL BY HAYLEE STOKES.
THE 5'5" FRESHMAN LEADS ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN IN SCORING.
>> A PRETTY FITTING PLAY TO START THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME WITH A STEAL.
SHE LEADS HER GAME IN STEALS.
BOTH THESE TEAMS HAVE PLAYERS THAT AVERAGE A LOT OF POINTS.
A CONTINUATION FROM THE SEMIFINAL GAME.
>> SHE STARTED FOUR FOR FOUR FROM THREE-POINTLAND.
FINISHED FOUR FOR FIVE IN THAT SEMIFINAL WIN IN THAT LINE OF FIVE WINS.
20 POINTS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER FOR BALLARD.
THE SHOT FROM STOKES.
REBOUND BY BALLARD.
THIS WILL BE A FUN MATCH-UP TO WATCH.
GETS FOULED.
THE FREE-THROW LINE, KYLIE RIGBY.
>> AS A THREE-POINT SHOOTER, YOU'RE GETTING THE DEFENSE TO HAVE TO FIGHT RIGHT AWAY.
AND THAT SHE CAN PUT IT ON THE FLOOR AND GET TO THE FREE-THROW LINE IS HUGE.
>> THE HEAD COACH FOR ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN.
DON MARTINDALE.
INDUCTED THIS YEAR INTO THE COACHES ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME.
LILY HILLE BRAND.
TWO PLAYERS COMMITTED TO PLAY IN BASKETBALL IN COLLEGE.
KAITLYN TENDAL AND JAYDAN NITCHALS.
TO GO TO IOWA STATE COLLEGE, NITCHALS TO IOWA.
THE TOP OF THE KEY.
HAD 22 POINTS IN THE SEMIS IN 17 IN THE QUARTERFINALS HERE IN DES MOINES.
>> SHE IS THEIR SENIOR LEADER.
COACH MARTINDALE SAID THEY'RE GETTING A GOOD ONE.
SHE IS SO CALM AND STEADY AND THEIR TEAM FEEDS THE FOUL ON STOKES.
THE FIRST ONE ON THE FRESHMAN, HAYLEE STOKES.
>> WE GET A GOOD LOOK HERE OF STOKES DRIVING THE PAIN.
FINDING THE OPEN PLAYER.
THE EXTRA PASS REALLY GOOD OFFENSIVE PLAY FOR ELC.
TENDAL LEADS IN CLASS 3A IN MADE THREES.
A 1,000 CAREER POINT SCORER.
RIETZ ON THE DRIVE.
AND GETS FOULED ON HER FIRST MOVE.
THE FOUL IS ON JORDYN STOKES.
RIETZ GOING RIGHT BACK.
NO GOOD.
REBOUNDED.
ELC.
AND STOKES GETS FOULED.
AND THE FIRST FOUL ON BALLARD WILL GO ON LILY BEALL.
>> THE OTHER KEY TO THE GAME FOR BALLARD, AVOIDING FOUL TROUBLE.
THE QUARTERFINAL GAME, THE SEMIFINAL GAME, BOTH GAMES WHERE THEY GOT THEMSELVES INTO FOUL TROUBLE.
I DON'T THINK THEY WANT TO TEST THEIR LUCK ON THAT FOR A THIRD TIME.
>> INSIDE MITCHELL WITH THE BUCKET.
HAD LILY BEALL ON HER.
AND LILY BEALL DOES AN OUTSTANDING JOB.
DEFENDING KIDS MUCH TALLER THAN HER.
ALWAYS THE DEFENSIVE STOP.
SHE TAKES PRIDE IN DEFENSE.
>> SHE'S BEEN SO IMPRESSIVE.
LOVES THE CHALLENGE.
>> AND YOU SEE THE DEFENSIVE INTENSITY THE TEAM PUT OUT.
LOOSE BALLS WILL BE A LOT OF FUN.
THEY'LL GO AFTER IT IN THIS LATE GAME.
STOKES ON THE MARK.
WANTS TO PUSH IT AHEAD.
BROOK WILL PLAY BASKETBALL IN TWO DAYS.
SWATTED AWAY OFF THE KNEE OF HILLEBRAND.
GOOD DEFENSE.
BY ELC.
COMING IN, PAIGE NOE CHECKS IN FOR BALLARD.
AS DOES ALLIYAH THOMPSON.
A SIX FOOT SOPHOMORE.
NOE, 5'8", A JUNIOR.
A CARRY CALLED ON STOKES.
SEEING SOME FULL COURT PRESSURE HERE.
>> THAT'S WHAT THE DEFENSE IS TRYING TO DO.
MAKE THE OFFENSE UNCOMFORTABLE.
BALLARD SHOWING A ZONE FULL COURT DEFENSE.
A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN THE FULL COURT PRESSURE MAN TO MAN THAT ELC SHOWS THEM.
BOTH TEAMS TRYING TO MAKE EACH OTHER UNCOMFORTABLE.
BALLARD DO A GREAT JOB ON THAT.
NOE GETS IT BACK TO LOEWE.
THE LEAD SCORER, ALMOST 13 POINTS PER GAME.
LOOKING FOR HELP.
THE STEAL BY TENDAL.
AND IT WILL STAY WITH ELC.
THE HEAD COACH, DON MARTINDALE.
AND THE TIME-OUT TAKEN BY BALLARD TO TALK THINGS OVER.
BALLARD HEAD COACH KELLY ANDERSON.
>> THROWING THE BALL, OKAY?
IT'S OVER.
RELAX.
THE GAME STARTED, OKAY?
GET RID OF THE LOOKS.
START PLAYING BASKETBALL, ALL RIGHT?
>> FOR BALLARD AND HEAD COACH KELLY ANDERSON, THEY HAVE A TEAM MOTTO THEY'VE STUCK BY SINCE THE PREVIOUS HEAD COACH ENACTED THE MOTTO, NOBODY, IT STARTS WITH NOBODY OUTWORKS US, NOBODY OUTPLAYS US, NOBODY WILL LIKE US BY THE END.
>> YOU JUST HEARD COACH ANDERSON SAYING THAT.
NOBODY IS CUTTING HARD.
THAT'S NOT THEIR WAY OF PLAYING.
THEY'RE THE ONES THAT CUT HARD AND OUTPLAY PEOPLE.
SO I LOVE HEARING HIM GO STRAIGHT TO THAT MOTTO AND GET HIS TEAM TO SETTLE IN HERE.
WINNING THE 4A GAME A SEASON AGO.
YOU CAN POINT TO THAT EXPERIENCE AS A POSSIBLE ADVANTAGE FOR BALLARD.
BUT IT IS STILL ANOTHER CHAMPIONSHIP GAME THAT YOU'RE PLAYING IN, JACKIE.
>> YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.
THIS ATMOSPHERE IS INCREDIBLE, PLAYING IN THE WELL IN FROMM OF THESE TIMES OF FANS ON A BIG STAGE.
EVEN WITH THE EXPERIENCE FROM A YEAR AGO, YOU CAN HEAR COACH ANDERSON TRYING TO GET THEM TO SETTLE IN.
IT'S A LOT.
IT'S A LOT AND IT IS EXCITING.
I HAVE NO DOUBT BOTH THESE TEAMS, WE'VE SEEN THEM PLAY DEFENSIVELY.
THEY'RE SIMILAR TEAMS AND THEY'LL BE MAKING EACH OTHER FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE MOST OF THE GAME.
>> THE JUMP BALL.
IN LAST REBOUND.
BALLARD.
NOW ON THE DRIVE IS NOE.
NITCHALS.
11 POINTS PER GAME FOR ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL.
OVER SIX REBOUNDS A CONTEST.
THAT'S A TEAM HIGH.
THE TAKEAWAY.
THOMPSON ALL THE WAY GETS THE LAY-IN.
THE 1-POINT GAME WITH 1:44 TO GO IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
>> THAT'S A GREAT JOB USING YOUR HANDS DEFENSIVELY.
HOPING TO AVOID THE FOUL CALL.
GOT THE BREAKAWAY LAY-UP.
>> THE DEEP THREE FROM NITCHALS.
COULDN'T QUITE GET THE HANDLE ON THAT REBOUND.
NOW ABLE TO CORRAL IT.
ELC, 25 AND 2.
RIGBY, SOMETIME SHE FIRES THE THREE-POINT SHOT.
THE CROWD JUST WAITS TO ERUPT.
THE LAYUP WON'T FALL.
IN FOR THOMPSON.
THE FOUL ON ALLIYAH THOMPSON.
THE 6' SOPHOMORE.
IN THE SEMIFINAL GAME.
BACK IN, RIGBY GETS A BREATHER.
HILLEBRAND ON THE FLOOR.
THE FINAL MINUTE OF THE FIRST QUARTER.
JORDYN STOKES, HAYLEE STOKES.
TWO SISTERS.
JORDYN SAID SHE LOVES PLAYING WITH HER SISTER.
THEIR FIRST YEAR EVER PLAYING BASKETBALL TOGETHER.
FOLLOWED IT UP WITH, I LOVE PLAYING WITH ALL MAY SISTERS.
BOTH THESE TEAMS, YOU GET A NICE FAMILY VIBE HERE.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
AFTER THE SEMIFINAL GAME YESTERDAY, WHEN WE WERE TALKING TO THE PLAYERS, KEPT POINTING AT EACH OTHER AND TALKED ABOUT HOW MANY THEY LOVE PLAYING WITH THEIR TEAMMATES.
>> GETTING ON RIGHT BEFORE THE END OF THE FIRST QUARTER.
BALLARD, A 1-POINT LEAD AFTER ONE.
SET IT UP TO PAUL.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
BRAD AND JACKIE, LET'S TELL YOU HOW THESE TWO TEAMS MADE THEIR WAY INTO THE FINAL.
EARLY ON, IT WAS UNITY CHRISTIAN AND ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL.
ANOTHER MOVE TO THE HOOP.
A BIG SHOT FROM THERE AS ELC ADVANCED WITH A 13-POINT WIN OVER THE DEFENDING 3A CHAMPION.
BALLARD AS WOMEN, WON THE TITLE IN 4A LAST YEAR.
SOON YOU WILL SEE KYLIE RIGBY.
AND BALLARD ADVANCES BY A 5-POINT VICTORY.
LET'S GO DOWNSTAIRS.
>> EACH YEAR THE STUDENT ATHLETE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD IS PRESENTED TO THE STUDENT ATHLETE WHO EXCELS ON THE COURT, IN THE CLASSROOM AND IN HER COMMUNITY.
THE RESIPPEN RECEIVES A $1,000 SCHOLARSHIP TO THE COLLEGE OF HER CHOICE.
THE 2022 STUDENT ATHLETE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER IS XAVIER.
PRESENTING THE 2022, JAROD.
CONGRATULATIONS TO XAVIER WITH PEOPLE'S BANK AND THE IOWA BANKERS ASSOCIATION FOR THEIR SPONSORSHIP OF THIS AWARD AND THEIR CONTINUED SUPPORT.
>> GREAT SUPPORT FOR THESE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT ATHLETES ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE.
NO DIFFERENT FOR THESE TWO BASKETBALL TEAMS THAT WE SEE.
BALLARD HEAD COACH KELLY ANDERSON IN HIS 11th YEAR AT BALLARD.
HE RECORDED HIS 200th WIN THIS SEASON.
15 WINS ON HIS CAREER FOR BALLARD.
THE TEAM MOTTO, NOBODY, WE TALKED ABOUT IT.
THE FORMER COACH THAT KIND OF BROUGHT THAT NOBODY MOTTO.
HE WAS COACH FROM '94 TO 2011.
THE ASSISTANT FOR SIX ON SIX.
THE THIRD YEAR HE WAS HEAD COACH.
THEY'VE BEEN THIRSTING FOR THE TITLE EVERY YEAR.
>> A REALLY GREAT PROGRAM.
DONE GREAT THINGS IN COLLEGE BASKETBALL.
>> THE SHOT FROM ANDERSON.
AND LAST TOUCH BY NITCHALS.
SO BALLARD WITH THE 1-POINT LEAD GETS IT BACK.
AND WITH THE SUPER FAN IN THE HOUSE AS WELL.
ONE OF THE FANS, YOU KNOW INTERESTING FIRST ONE THERE ALL THE TIME.
ALWAYS TALKS TO THE TEAM AHEAD OF HOME GAMES.
ELMER IS HERE AT WELLS FARGO ARENA.
HE HAS A FUN CONNECTION.
A 1965 BALLARD GRAD.
THOMPSON GETS TWO MORE.
THE FOOTBALL CO-HEAD COACH.
HERE FOR LAST YEAR'S STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME AND WOULD LOVE TO SEE ANOTHER.
JORDYN STOKES GETTING FOULED.
IT GOES ON NOE.
>> AND I THINK ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL IS STILL TRYING TO FIND THEIR RHYTHM.
BALLARD HAS BEEN ABLE TO SET UP THEIR FULL COURT PRESSURE ZONE DEFENSE.
AND SO FAR, I FEEL LIKE THEY'VE TAKEN ELC OUT OF WHAT THEY'RE LOOKING TO DO.
ELC STILL NEEDS TO FINAL THEIR RHYTHM.
>> THE TOP OF THE KEY.
THE BACK HEEL FOR STOKES.
NOE ON THE FLIP TO LOEWE.
IT'S GOOD.
>> ALMOST LIKE SHE HEARD YOU, BRAD.
SHE DOES IT ALL.
INCREDIBLE POINT GUARD AS WE SEE.
SHOOT FROM DEEP.
RUNS THIS TEAM.
SHARES THE BALL.
KNOWS WHEN TO KEEP IT HERSELF AND WHEN TO GET HER TEAMMATES INVOLVED.
>> THE TEN-SECOND VIOLATION.
THE BALLARD DEFENSE IS CRANKED UP AFTER THIS THREE-POINTER.
>> THIS IS JUST A GREAT JOB.
WAS NOT A PERFECT PASS, CAUGHT OUT OF RHYTHM.
JUST DOING A GREAT JOB GETTING SET TO KNOCK DOWN THE THREE.
>> FROM BEHIND THE NBA THREE-POINT LINE THAT'S HERE IN THE WELL.
THE 6-POINT LEAD FOR BALLARD.
BACK TO RIGBY.
OFFENSIVE REBOUND.
NOW THOMPSON ATTACKS.
RIGBY WILL PULL THE TRIGGER.
LEFT IT SHORT.
REBOUND DRAFT BY ANDERSON.
TENDAL AND NITCHALS FOR ELC WILL PLAY COLLEGE BASKETBALL FOR BALLARD.
THE LADIES PLAN ON PLAYING BASKETBALL AT 4A COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
RIETZ WILL PLAY AT WAYNE STATE NEXT YEAR.
FOR BALLARD LAST YEAR, WINNING THE 4A STATE TITLE FROM DAY ONE.
THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT REPEATING AS STATE CHAMPIONS.
THEY'VE NEVER BEEN AFRAID TO SAY THIS IS OUR NUMBER ONE GOAL.
>> THEY CAME IN WITH THREE OF THEM.
WIN THE CONFERENCE TITLE, MAKE IT TO STATE AND WIN STATE.
THIS YEAR THEY'RE ESPECIALLY HAPPY.
THEY'RE IN THE WHITE JERSEY, THE HOME TEAM.
EXCITED TO TRY TO GET THAT THIRD GOAL COMPLETED.
>> A FOUL CALLED ALONG THE BASELINE.
THAT GOES ON LILY BEALL.
AND THAT WILL BE NUMBER TWO ON LILY BEALL.
SO SHE'S GOING TO CHECK OUT ONE OF THE BALLARD TOP DEFENDERS.
>> LILY BEALL DOES IT ALL.
THE FOCUS, DEFENSIVE FOCUS.
DEFENSE IS HER THING BUT SHE DOES IT IN ALL CATEGORIES.
NOT GREAT FOR VALERIE TO HAVE HER ON THE BENCH THE REST OF THIS HALF.
AS I MENTIONED, THEY'VE HAD TWO GAMES IN A ROW EXPERIENCING FOUL TROUBLE AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STILL GET THEMSELVES THROUGH IT.
>> AN EQUALIZER HERE.
JORDAN STOKES CALLED FOR HOOKING .
SHE'S GOING TO TAKE A SEAT.
WITH 4:45 TO PLAY.
LOEWE.
THE PUT-BACK WON'T GO.
CLEARED BY RYLEE YAGER.
>> EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED TO DO WHEN YOU ARE FEELING THAT KIND OF PRESSURE.
STOKES, THE FRESHMAN.
WORKING AGAINST LOEWE.
BOTH TEAMS DEFENSES KEEPING THE OTHER TEAM OUT OF SORTS OFFENSIVELY.
>> THEY ARE.
AND I THINK WE THOUGHT THIS IS WHAT WE WOULD SEE.
THESE ARE TWO INCREDIBLY DEFENSIVE TEAMS.
I THINK THE FLIGHT DIFFERENCE, BALLARD MORE OF THE ZONE DEFENSE.
AND ELC MAN TO MAN.
VERY SIMILAR IN THE WAY THAT THEY MAKE EACH OTHER UNCOMFORTABLE.
AND I THINK WE'LL CONTINUE TO SEE THIS KIND OF PRESSURE.
IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHICH TEAM CAN FIND THEIR RHYTHM DEFENSIVELY.
>> IT FEELS LIKE THE HARDEST PRACTICE OF THE YEAR.
AT THE END, WE'LL HAND OUT A CHAMPIONSHIP TROPHY.
THE SOMEHOW THEY CAME ONE THAT BASKETBALL.
MITCHELL NITCHALS SETTING THE SCREEN FOR STOKES.
BLOCKED BY THOMPSON.
RIETZ CLEARS THE REBOUND.
FROM THE CORNER.
TOO STRONG FOR RIGBY.
AND THREE MINUTES TO PLAY HERE IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
FADEAWAY, TOUGH SHOT FOR TENDAL.
AS TOUGH AS BOTH TEAMS PLAY DEFENSIVELY, YOU FEEL LIKE THEY'RE STARTING TO FEEL SOME FATIGUE ALREADY AT THE END OF THE SECOND QUARTER.
>> WE CAN DEFINITELY SEE THE PLAYERS OUT HERE BREATHING HARD.
THIS IS A MIXTURE.
THIS IS THE THIRD GAME OF THE TOURNAMENT.
NEITHER TEAM GOES SUPER DEEP INTO THEIR BENCH.
THEY'RE FEELING SOME EXHAUSTION FROM THIS BEING THE LAST GAME.
TOURNAMENT.
AT THIS POINT, YOU JUST PLAY WITH ADRENALINE AND FIGHT THROUGH IT.
WE'RE DEFENSE SEEING SOME OFFENSIVE MISTAKES AS A RESULT OF HOW HARD EACH TEAM IS PLAYING DEFENSIVELY.
STOKES SEES THE WIDE OPEN LANE.
AND ONE OPPORTUNITY.
>> INCREDIBLE FINISH BY THE FRESHMAN.
MISCOMMUNICATION DEFENSIVELY.
YOU CAN SEE, THEY KIND OF MISCOMMUNICATE BALLARD KEEPS BOTH DEFENDERS UP HIGH.
GIVES STOKES THE LANE AND A GREAT FINISH WITH THE CONTACT.
IT'S GOOD AND IT IS A THREE-POINT GAME.
HILLEBRAND CHECKS IN FOR THOMPSON.
THOMPSON COMMITS HER FIRST PERSONAL FOUL.
BEYOND THE SHOT.
CLEARING THE REBOUND.
KAITLYN TENDAL.
ONE OF THOSE CALMING PRESENCES FOR ELC.
>> SO STEADY.
YOU VERY RARELY SEE HER SHOW EMOTION.
BUT IN THE BEST WAY.
COACH SAYS HER TEAMMATES LOOK TO HER THROUGH THE UPS AND THE DOWNS.
THEY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT.
>> TO NITCHALS.
THIS IS TENDAL.
THREE-POINTERS MADE, ON THE 2019 STATE TOURNAMENT TEAM.
SCORED 1,000 CAREER POINTS.
THE THREE-POINT ATTEMPT.
GOOD FOR TENDAL.
ANOTHER REBOUND.
>> THAT POSSESSION OFFENSIVELY FOR ELC WAS NOT THEIR BEST.
A LOT OF TRYING TO BEAT THEIR DEFENDER ONE-ON-ONE.
INSTEAD OF DOING WHAT THEY DO BEST, SHARE THE BASKETBALL, GET EACH OTHER INVOLVED.
FALL IN LOVE WITH THOSE EASY BASKETS.
I SUSPECT THAT'S WHAT THEY'LL GET BACK TO IN THE SECOND HALF.
40 SECONDS IN THE SECOND QUARTER.
I WONDER IF THAT.
YOU SEE A LOT OF TEAMS TAKING TIME AT THE END OF EACH QUARTER.
A SHOT CLOCK COMING TO GIRLS BASKETBALL AND BOYS BASKETBALL AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL STARTING NEXT YEAR.
WHAT THE TIME WILL BE ON THE SHOT CLOCK.
>> THAT WILL DEFINITELY CHANGE THE GAME IN TERMS OF HOW TEAMS APPROACH THE END OF EACH QUARTER.
THE END OF GAMES.
WE'VE SEEN TEAMS START TO CHANGE THE WAY, HOW AGGRESSIVE THEY ARE WITH A LOT OF TIME LEFT IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
THAT WILL CHANGE THAT.
>> THREE AT THE HORN BY NOE IS TOO STRONG.
AND IT'S A 3-POINT BALLARD LEAD AT 13-10 OVER ELC.
SO LAST YEAR, STATE CHAMPS UP THREE AT HALFTIME.
A VERY LOW SCORING, YOU WERE TALKING DEFENSE.
I DIDN'T KNOW THEY WOULD LOCK THEM DOWN THIS MUCH HERE.
>> I WOULDN'T HAVE GUESSED IT.
I'M NOT SURPRISED.
THESE TWO TEAMS ARE BOTH SO LONG IF DEFENSIVELY.
YOU CAN TELL HOW UNCOMFORTABLE THEY'RE MAKING IT FOR EACH OTHER.
>> BALLARD IN THE THIRD STRAIGHT TOURNAMENT.
LET'S SEND IT UP TO PAUL WHO IS UP TOP IN THE WELL.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
BRAD AND JACKIE.
I GUESS WE'LL PICK UP WITH THE CONVERSATION OF WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT.
WHAT DO YOU THINK, KELLY?
IS THIS GOOD DEFENSE?
A LITTLE NERVES?
A LITTLE TIRED?
WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE SHOOTING?
>> I THINK YOU JUST HIT ON ALL THREE OF THEM.
A LITTLE TIRED.
YOU CAN TELL, WE'RE GOING HARD FOR THE LAST COUPLE DAYS.
NERVES WITH THAT AND GOOD DEFENSE ON BOTH SIDES.
I THINK IT IS ALL THREE.
>> SO SECOND STRAIGHT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
WHAT WILL BE THE FIRST THING?
>> WE'VE GOT TO FINISH.
WE'VE GOT TO FINISH.
WE'RE GETTING TO THE HOOP.
WE'RE JUST NOT FINISHING WHEN WE GET THERE.
IF WE WOULD HAVE, WE WOULD BE UP BY SIX OR EIGHT.
WE JUST HAVE TO GET THE BALL IN THE HOOP.
WE'RE DOING A GREAT JOB ON THE DEFENSE.
>> APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.
THANKS.
LET'S HAVE KELLY ANDERSON OF THE BOMBERS.
YOU HEAR ABOUT SHOOTING.
IT ALL HAPPENS HERE AT THE TOURNAMENT AND THERE'S PAGEANTRY.
LET'S GO TO THE FLOOR.
>> THE AWARD IS GIVEN ANNUALLY TO THE TOP PERFORMER FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR'S TOURNAMENT.
PRESENTING IT NAMED IN HONOR OF THE HIGH SCHOOL THEY CAN ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
ESCORTING ALL OF OUR AWARD WINNERS TONIGHT, THE 2022 SCHOLARSHIP, MATTIE SCHULTZ.
THE JACK NORTH AWARD RESIPPEN FROM THE 2021 IS KATIE FROM WAS KEEGAN HIGH SCHOOL.
KATIE, THE 2021 MISS IOWA BASKETBALL AVERAGED 20 POINTS AND WAS NAMED CAPTAIN WITH THE 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
SHE IS CONTINUING HER CAREER WHERE SHE'S MAJORING IN HEALTH SCIENCES.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, KATIE.
ACCEPTING THE AWARD ON HER BEHALF ARE HER PARENTS.
CONGRATULATIONS!
THE CHARACTER COUNTS COACH AWARD.
RESPECT, RESPONSIBLE, FAIRNESS, CARING AND CITIZENSHIP.
RATHER THAN SPOTLIGHT WINNING RECORDS AND ISOLATED ACTS OF HEROISM, IT WAS CONCEIVED TO RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUALS WHOSE COACHING LIVES AND ACHIEVEMENTS DEMONSTRATE ENDURING COMMITMENT.
PRESENTING THE AWARD, SCOTT, CHUCK.
THE 2022 RECIPIENT IS JULIE FROM COLUMBUS HIGH SCHOOL.
IN RECOGNITION OF THIS HONOR, A $1,000 CASH AWARD WILL BE MADE IN JULIE'S NAME TO FURTHER ENHANCE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVES.
SHE WILL BE HEADING INTO HER TENTH SEASON.
A RECORD OF 92-38 AND HAS LED FIVE TEAM TO THE SOCCER TOURNAMENT.
SHE HAS BEEN HONORED AS THE DISTRICT AND STATE COACH OF THE YEAR.
MOST RECENTLY, SHE WAS HONORED AS THE IOWA COACH OF THE YEAR AS WELL AS THE 2021 NFHS COACH OF THE YEAR WHILE SERVING ON THE SOCCER ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
JULIE IS A SPECIAL EDUCATION INSTRUCTIONAL COAST FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
SHE AND HER HUSBAND HAVE THREE DAUGHTERS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2022 CHARACTER COUNTS COACH OF THE YEAR.
>> THIS IS THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS AWARD THEY BESTOW ON AN INDIVIDUAL.
IT IS GIVEN TO A DAUGHTER OF EYE , OF IOWA.
AND FOR SINGULARLY ILLUSTRIOUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
THIS YEAR'S RECIPIENT IS MICHELLE OF IOWA CITY.
MICHELLE WAS A MULTISPORT ATHLETE, PLAYING SOFTBALL, VOLLEYBALL, HER BEST SPORT WAS TENNIS.
SHE WENT ON TO PLAY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA AND PLAYED NUMBER ONE SINGLES AND DOUBLES ALL FOUR YEARS WITH THE HAWKEYES.
SHE TRANSITIONED INTO COACHING.
SHE WAS THE HEAD TENNIS COACH FROM 1994 TO 2008.
SHE RETURNED HOME TO IOWA CITY IN 2009 AND IS NOW THE DIRECTOR OF TENNIS AT THE HAWKEYE TENNIS AND RECREATION COMPLEX.
HER TENNIS EXPERTISE HAS BEEN INFLUENTIAL AS SHE HAS SERVED AS TOURNAMENT HOST FOR SEVERAL TOURNAMENTS.
SHE IS TRULY AN AMBASSADOR FOR THE SPORT OF TENNIS.
CONGRATULATIONS TO MICHELLE.
JOINING MICHELLE TONIGHT, HER MOTHER PAT, BROTHERS MIKE AND PJ, AND SISTER-IN-LAW SHELLEY.
CONGRATULATIONS.
THIS SCHOLARSHIP HONORING THE LONG TIME HIGH SCHOOL EXECUTIVE SECRETARY IS A $15,000 SCHOLARSHIP GIVEN ANNUALLY TO THE INDIVIDUAL THAT BEST REPRESENTS THE IDEAL OF THE IOWA GIRL.
A SENIOR FROM WOODBURY CENTRAL IS THE 2022 RECIPIENT.
SHE WAS SELECTED FROM 98 APPLICANTS FROM HIGH SCHOOLS ACROSS IOWA.
SHE RANKS FIRST IN HER CLASS AND IS IN NUMEROUS ACTIVITIES INCLUDING STUDENT COUNCIL, YEAR BOOK, SPEECH AND THEATER.
SHE'S EARNED 11 LETTERS, ALSO RECEIVING ALL CONFERENCE HONORS.
SHE IS ALSO ACTIVE WITH VARIOUS COMMUNITY PROJECTS.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2022 RECIPIENT.
MADDIE SCHULTZ!
>> CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THOSE WINNERS.
GREAT STORIES INDEED.
SO THEY'RE GOING TO DO THE SUITE BEHIND US.
WHEN I HEAR THAT, LET'S GO BACK TO 1972 WHEN THE GIRLS FROM ROLAND STORY ROLLED INTO THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP OF SIX-ON-SIX.
AND A SHOWDOWN WITH GUTHRIE CENTER.
YOUNG WOMEN DREW FROM PREVIOUS TRIPS TO THE AUDITORIUM AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO CLAIM A STATE TITLE.
WE SAT DOWN WITH SOME OF THE STATE CHAMPIONS TO REFLECT ON A SPECIAL NIGHT 50 YEARS AGO.
>> I THINK WE WEREN'T A VERY DISCIPLINED BALL CLUB BUT WE PLAYED WITH A LOT OF JOY.
SHOULD WE SAY THAT?
>> WE REALLY HAD FUN TOGETHER.
WE WERE CLOSE FRIENDS ON AND OFF THE COURT.
NOT THAT WE HUNG AROUND 24/7 TOGETHER BUT WE GENUINELY LIKED EACH OTHER.
AS A TEAM, NO ONE CARED WHO GOT THE CREDIT.
I MEAN, WE'RE A TEAM IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD.
>> I THINK WE HAD A LOT OF RESPECT FOR OUR COACHES AND A LOT OF RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER, AS WELL AS OUR FANS.
WE HAD SUCH A GREAT FAN BASE.
AND IT WAS LIKE, WE HAD TO DO THIS.
WE HAD TO DO IT FOR ALL THE PEOPLE.
>> WE HAD BEEN AT STATE THE YEAR BEFORE.
WE LOST THE FIRST GAME TO MONT ZUMA WHICH HAD THE STREAK.
WE HAD A GREAT TIME.
WE REALLY ENJOYED IT.
WOMEN HEY, NEXT YEAR, WE'RE NOT ONLY GOING TO COME TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT BUT WE'RE GOING TO WIN IT.
THAT WAS OUR GOAL AT THE BEGINNING OF THE SEASON.
WE STARTED OUT 1-2.
WE LOST ONE GAME BY 33 POINTS.
ANOTHER GAME BY 24 POINT.
SO THAT'S PROBABLY WHY WE NEVER RATED.
BUT OUR GOAL WAS TO GO TO STATE.
AND THE COACHES, THEY DID SUCH AN AWESOME JOB COACHING US.
LOOK WHERE WE START.
WE STARTED ONE AND TWO.
WE REALLY BELIEVED IN OURSELVES.
WE REALLY PRACTICED HARD.
WE WOULD SCRIMMAGE.
THERE WAS NO MERCY.
WE WOULD PRACTICE HARD.
YOU WOULD HAVE SCRATCHES ON YOUR ARMS.
THANK YOU, KAREN.
THAT WAS US.
WE JUST HAD A GREAT WORK ETHIC.
>> A NICE JOB.
SHE PLAYS SOME BASKETBALL.
>> I THINK OUR COACHES HAD US BELIEVING IN OURSELVES SO MUCH.
AND YOUER IN REALLY -- >> WE CAN DO IT.
>> YEAH.
WE CAN DO IT.
AND THEY DIDN'T THINK BACK TO THE LOSSES WE HAD.
IT WAS HOW WE WOULD IMPROVE THROUGHOUT THE AREA.
AND IT GOT TO THE POINT, WE'RE CAPABLE OF DOING THIS.
WE'VE BEEN DOWN TO THE VETS AUDITORIUM.
WE'RE GOING BACK.
AND WE'RE GOING TO DO IT THIS TIME.
>> I REMEMBER BILL SAYING THAT WE MADE IT.
WE'RE GOING TO BE THERE.
AND EVERY WIN THAT WE HAVE FROM NOW ON IS JUST GRAVY.
WE JUST KEPT GOING AND GOT MORE GRAVY.
>> NELSON.
TO GREG.
THE FAN SUPPORT WAS UNREAL.
WE'RE A FAIRLY REORGANIZED SCHOOL DISTRICT AND I THINK ALL THE SUCCESS WE HAD WITH BASKETBALL AND SOFTBALL, IT HAD TO HELP CEMENT THAT REORGANIZATION.
>> I THINK THERE'S A BOND THERE THAT JUST BECOMES LIFELONG AFTER THAT.
THERE IS A CONFIDENCE IN THESE PEOPLE.
THEY'LL BE THERE FOR YOU THROUGH THICK AND THIN.
AND THEY HAVE BEEN.
>> FANTASTIC BALL PLAYERS.
NOT NECESSARILY OUTSTANDING.
JUST GOOD HARD WORKERS.
AND OF COURSE, THE TEAM WORK CAME THROUGH.
EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM DEVELOP INTO WONDERFUL MOTHERS AND GRANDMOTHERS.
WE HAD GREAT JOBS AND CAREERS AND SO FORTH.
LIKE UP, THE VILLAGE RAISES THEM.
THE COMMUNITIES ARE AMAZING.
AND THAT CAME THROUGH.
>> A FEW QUESTIONS ALONG THE WAY.
>> MAYBE A DOUBT OR TWO.
THEY OVERCAME IT.
>> WE TALKED ABOUT SOMETIMES NOT REALLY REALIZING AT THAT AGE, WHAT AN EXPERIENCE IT WAS TO BE IN THE STATE TOURNAMENT.
WHAT AN EXPERIENCE IT WAS TO BE INTERVIEWED ON W.H.O.
RADIO.
OR DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE DID.
AND NOW WE LOOK BACK ON IT AND THINK, WOW!
NOT EVERYBODY GETS THAT EXPERIENCE.
>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.
WE WERE 16, 17 YEARS OLD.
AND IT WAS LIKE, WOW!
THIS IS A LOT OF FUN.
BUT NOW WE'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT IT 50 YEARS FROM THAT DAY.
SO THIS WAS A BIG DEAL.
>> STILL GET THE FEELING EVERY TIME I WATCH A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
YOU GET THAT SAME WOW.
>> WHEN I WATCH THAT, I SEE HOW EXCITED THEY ARE.
I START CRYING.
>> ANYONE WHO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP.
WE'RE EXCITED FOR THEM.
>> THE MEMORIES ARE SO FANTASTIC.
>>> WE TALK ABOUT TRADITIONS AND THIS IS THE ONE I REMEMBER.
THE TUXEDO SWEEP.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE A CLEAN FLOOR AND YOU HAVE TO BE DRESSED IN A TUXEDO.
WHY NOT PUT THEM TOGETHER?
THAT'S ONE OF THE FUN THING AT THE STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT.
WE'LL HAVE A LITTLE HALFTIME.
YOU'VE SEEN OUR STORIES.
WE'LL TALK BOWLING.
KENNEDY IS A STATE CHAMPION.
YOU SAW HER WALKING THE LAST GAME.
IN THAT PARADE OF CHAMPIONS.
LET'S TALK ABOUT, YOU WERE A CHAMPION BARELY A WEEK AGO.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE A STATE CHAMPION?
>> IT'S DEFINITELY AN HONOR.
SOMETHING I'M REALLY PROUD OF.
IT IS SURPRISING.
IT'S AN HONOR.
>> YOU MAKE IT SOUND LIKE A SPECIAL GIFT.
YOU HAD TO EARN THIS.
THEY CHANGED THE FORMAT OF THE TOURNAMENT.
YOU HAVE TO QUALIFY IN A DISTRICT.
YOU GET TO STATE.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT FIRST ROUND AT STATE?
>> FIRST ROUND AT STATE, WE HAD TO GO HEAD TO HEAD AGAINST SOMEONE TO MAKE IT TO THE NEXT ROUND WHICH WAS A CHALLENGE.
ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN IN THAT ONE GAME.
>> ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.
AND THEN MORE AFTER THAT, AFTER YOU WERE SEEDED.
>> YEAH.
AFTER THE FIRST GAME, EVERYONE BOWLS ONE GAME AND THEN THERE ARE FOUR PEOPLE LEFT.
SO AFTER THAT, THERE'S ONE MORE FINAL.
SO THREE HEAD TO HEAD GAMES TO COME OUT ON TOP.
>> ALL RIGHT.
A COUPLE QUESTIONS.
>> WELL, GROWING UP IN A SMALL TOWN, ALWAYS AT THE BOWLING ALLEY.
WHEN DID IT PICK UP?
HEY, I'LL PRETTY GOOD AT THIS.
>> BEING AT THE BOWLING ALLEY, I BOLD MANY GAMES.
I DECIDED I REALLY LIKE BOWLING.
MAYBE I'LL TAKE THIS MORE SERIOUS.
>> YOU ALSO PLAYED BASKETBALL.
HOW DID YOU JUGGLE IT AFTER A NEVER INJURY LAST AREA?
>> IT WAS DEFINITELY A CHALLENGE COMING BACK FROM THE KNEE INJURY ESPECIALLY.
I DIDN'T WANT ANYTHING BAD TO HAPPEN.
IT TOOK A LOT OF TIME.
>> GLAD TO HAVE YOU BACK.
CONGRATULATIONS ON THAT STATE GROUND.
NICE TO MEET YOU AS WELL.
>> THAT'S KENNEDY.
SHE WAS THE CHAMPION IN CLASS 1A.
WE'LL CONTINUE WITH OUR HALFTIME SHOW WHEN WE STEP ASIDE FOR JUST A MOMENT.
WE'LL GET A CONVERSATION WITH THE COACH.
STAY WITH US.
>>> HALFTIME BALLARD LEADS ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL 13-10.
JOINING US NOW, COACH DON MARTINDALE.
THIS IS YOUR FIRST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
IT GOES FAIRLY QUICK.
DID YOU EXPECT THIS MUCH DEFENSE IN THE FIRST HALF IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME?
>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
YOU KNOW, I THINK THE FANS WILL SEE WHY THESE TWO TEAMS ARE IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, WITH THE TIME OF DEFENSE BOTH TEAMS PLAY.
BOTH TEAMS ARE A LITTLE TIGHT.
I DIDN'T THINK THAT WE MOVED THE BALL ESPECIALLY WELL.
I THINK KELLY, COACH ANDERSON, WOULD PROBABLY SAY THE SAME THING.
JUST TWO VERY GOOD DEFENSIVE TEAMS GOING AT IT.
SOMEBODY WILL CRACK SOMETHING LOOSE IN THE SECOND HALF.
I'M SURE OF THAT.
>> REAL QUICK BEFORE WE GO.
HAYLEE STOKES HAS BEEN BIG FOR YOU.
>> WE HAD THE CONVERSATION AT HALFTIME.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GET THAT.
THEY'RE GETTING US PRETTY GOOD.
OUR WHOLE TEAM HAS TO GET GOING.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.
BEST LUCK IN THE SECOND HALF.
>> THANK YOU.
REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
>> ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU.
IT WILL BE PRETTY EASY IN THESE HIGHLIGHTS TO SHOW ALMOST EVERY BASKET.
A LOW SCORING GAME.
HE NEEDS THEY WILL TO BE MORE LIKE THAT.
HE HAS FIVE OF THE TEN POINTS.
UNFORTUNATELY, SHE GETS THAT BY ALLIYAH THOMPSON.
SHE WILL PUT IN FOUR OFF HER BENCH TIME.
WE TALKED ABOUT LOEWE.
THE ONLY TIME SHE SAT DOWN WAS SOME BLOOD.
SHE HAD 5 POINTS.
VERY EASY TO SHOW EVERY ONE OF THEM.
LET'S BREAK DOWN THE STATISTICS A LITTLE BIT MORE.
HAVE A GOOD SECOND HALF, YOU TWO.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THERE YOU SEE THE GOOD DEFENSE RESULTING IN SOME TOUGH LOOKING OFFENSIVE NUMBERS.
THE THREE-POINT SHOOTING.
>> SIX FOR BALLARD, ZERO FOR ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL.
YOU HEARD COACH ANDERSON SAY, BEFORE THEY HEADED INTO THE LOCKER ROOM.
THEY HAVE TO START FINISHING.
>> THE TURNOVERS PRETTY EVEN.
SIX FOR BALLARD.
SEVEN FOR ELC.
THE DEFENSES GOING RIGHT ATHEIR OPPONENT.
IT STARTED IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
A SEASON AGO IN THE STATE TITLE GAME.
THREE TO WIN IT.
>> THE TURN OVER THERE, YOU KNOW WHAT I LOVE.
AS SOON AS IT HAPPEN.
HAYLEE STOKES GOES RIGHT TO HER AND SAYS IT'S OKAY.
HIGH FIVE.
BACK TO THE NEXT POSSESSION.
LOVE THAT.
>> SO BALLARD GETS IT BACK.
HILLEBRAND.
THE TOP OF THE KEY.
NOW ON THE DRIVE GOES RIETZ.
THAT'S PULLED IN BY NITCHALS.
HERE COMES HAYLEE STOKES.
THE FRESHMAN OUT IN OPEN SPACE.
NITCHALS WILL FIRE THE THREE.
A GOOD LOOK THAT TIME FOR NITCHALS.
>> THAT IS WHAT ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL NEEDS TO DO.
TAKE GOOD SHOTS AND CREATE FOR EACH OTHER.
COACH MARTINDALE SAID THEY DID NOT MOVE THE BALL AS WELL AS THEY NORMALLY DO.
THEY NORMALLY SHARE IT REALLY WELL.
HAYLEE STOKES VERY GOOD AT CREATING.
>> TENDAL STEPS INTO IT.
SAVED IN THE CORNER BY ANDERSON.
>> GREAT HUSTLE PLAY.
GREAT HUSTLE PLAY BY JASEY ANDERSON.
SHE WAS AT THE STATE SOFTBALL TEAM COMPETING, STATE CROSS COUNTRY.
NOW KEEPING HER STRING TOGETHER AT THE STATE BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT.
AND LOOKING FOR A STATE TITLE.
THERE'S TENDAL WORKING AGAINST HILLEBRAND.
WE HEARD FROM COACH MARTINDALE AT HALFTIME.
ANOTHER ATTEMPT AND FINALLY DRAWS THE FOUL ON RIETZ.
>> JAYDAN NITCHALS IS DOING SUCH A GOOD JOB.
THEY'RE MAKING IT REALLY DIFFICULT.
NITCHALS DOING A GREAT JOB THERE OF STICKING WITH IT.
>> AND BEEN THERE BEFORE.
PART OF THE 2019 STATE TOURNAMENT TEAM, AS YOU SEE.
THOMPSON CHECKING IN.
HILLEBRAND GETS A BREATHER.
FOR ELC, YOU SEE THE ASSISTANT COACHES.
HEAD COACH MARTINDALE, SO APPRECIATIVE OF ALL THE HARD WORK HIS ASSISTANT COACHES PUT IN.
THE ONE TIME ELLSWORTH COMMUNITY COLLEGE COACH WAS THERE.
FINISHED FIFTH AT NATIONALS, BY THE WAY.
AND THEN A COUPLE OF DADS.
THE STOKES SISTERS' DAD, AND DAD DAVID ON STAFF.
AND STOKES CAN'T GET THE LAYUP TO FALL.
IT WILL STAY WITH ELC.
>> AND COACH DON MARTINDALE, THE FIRST THING DID HE YESTERDAY WAS POINT TO EVERYONE AROUND HIM IN TERMS OF CREDIT FOR WHY THEY'RE IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
HE IS SO GRATEFUL FOR THEIR WORK DEVELOPMENTALLY IN THEIR FORMATIVE YEARS.
THEY'VE WON 13 GAMES IN A ROW.
LOOKING TO MAKE IT 14 IN A ROW TO WIN IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
LAST TIME ELC WON THE STATE TITLE THAT SIX ON SIX BASKETBALL YOU SAW AT HALFTIME.
THE STORY ON ROLAND'S STORY.
IT WAS JUST ESTHERVILLE AT THAT TIME.
THIS IS THEIR FIFTH TITLE GAME WITH RUNNERS UP.
2011 AND 2013.
ELC ONLY LOST TO TWO THIS YEAR.
>> BOTH THESE TEAMS PLAYED REALLY TOUGH SCHEDULES ALL YEAR LONG INTENTIONALLY TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE STATE TOURNAMENT.
>> THERE WAS OFFENSIVE REBOUND.
AND STOKES TURNS IT OVER.
THE LAY-UP.
IN AND OUT.
REBOUNDED BY NITCHALS.
>> THOSE ARE THE LITTLE BUNNIES COACH ANDERSON WAS TALKING ABOUT.
YOU HAVE TO KNOCK THOSE DOWN.
YOU SEE THE DISAPPOINTMENT ON HIS FACE.
THE SENIOR LEADER NONE OTHER THAN BROOKE LOEWE, CLAPPING HER HANDS, MAKING SURE THEY STAY ENERGETIC, STAY WITH IT.
JORDYN STOKES.
THE JUNIOR OF THE STOKES.
THAT'S HER FIRST POINTS OF THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
AND THE QUICK ANSWER BY MEG RIETZ.
>> MEG RIETZ IS SOMEONE WHO REALLY, REALLY HAD AN INCREDIBLE SEASON FOR BALLARD.
REALLY GOOD REBOUNDER.
LEAVES THE TEAM.
A QUIET PRESENCE.
NOT VERY LOUD VOCALLY.
BUT VERY COMPETENT PLAYER.
>> THIS FOUL WILL GO ON BROOKE LOEWE.
THAT'S HER SECOND PERSONAL FOUL.
BACK TO THE FREE-THROW LINE.
NITCHALS.
THE FRIENDLY ROLL.
KYLIE RIGBY IS BACK IN.
BALLARD, SUCH A RICH TRADITION OF BASKETBALL.
THE 2019 STATE CHAMPS.
2021 STATE CHAMPS IN 4A.
LOST IT IN '06.
THEY'VE HAD SOME GOOD PLAYERS COME THROUGH.
>> THEY HAVE.
AMANDA ZIMMERMAN GOING TO IOWA STATE.
ALLISON LACY, THE LIST GOES ON.
ASKED WHY SHE IS BACK IN CYCLONE GEAR ALL THE TIME.
A BIG SHOT FROM THE CORNER.
NOE FROM OUTSIDE.
>> PAIGE NOE WAS BIG FOR THEM IN THE QUARTERFINAL GAME AS WELL.
BALLARD REALLY HAVING A COUPLE OF STRONG PLAYS FROM PLAYERS OFF THE BENCH.
THEY'VE BEEN A BIG PART OF THE GAME.
>> THIS IS THE FOUL THAT WILL GO ON ALLIYAH THOMPSON.
BACK TOM JUNIOR FROM THE OUTSIDE.
>> A LOT OF THESE PLAYS ARE DURING ON TURNOVERS, STEALS LEADING TO THE OPEN COURT.
THE DEFENSE NOT ABLE TO GET BACK AND SET UP.
NOE DOING A GREAT JOB OF KNOCKING IT DOWN.
>> STOKES, ON THE INBOUND PLAY.
THE DEFICIT.
DOWN TO ONE.
A FOUL CALLED ON JASEY ANDERSON.
NUMBER ONE ON ANDERSON.
THE 5'6" SOPHOMORE.
PLAYING IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, SHE SAID, IS A DREAM COME TRUE.
WE WERE TALKING ABOUT BALLARD WINNING IT LAST YEAR.
THE NUMBER ONE GOAL.
LET'S WIN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AGAIN.
THEY SAID IT FROM DAY ONE.
FOR ELC, BRING THE MAX EFFORT EVERY DAY IN EVERY GAME.
THEY DIFFER.
IN REGARD.
AND REALLY, MAYBE THAT REGARD ALONE.
>> THEY DO.
I WAS GOING TO SAY, HOW SIMILAR THEY PLAY, VERY DIFFERENT APPROACHES.
AND BOTH LED THEM HERE.
AS WE MENTIONED, ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL WAS NOT EXACTLY TALKING ABOUT WINNING STATE BUT JUST OUTPLAYING THEIR OPPONENTS EVERY DAY.
EACH NEXT GAME IS THE MOST IMPORTANT GAME.
>> THAT IS KAITLYN TENDAL.
THE SENIOR.
AVERAGES 14 A GAME.
SHE'S GOT FIVE NOW.
HERE IS RIETZ.
NITCHALS, THE REBOUND.
AND ELC WITH THE LEAD.
LED BY AS MANY AS THREE IN THE FIRST QUARTER.
AND THERE'S STOKES.
THE DEFENDERS.
AND A TIME-OUT TAKEN BY BALLARD.
>> YOU HAVE TO LOVE THE ENERGY.
COACH DON MARTINDALE LIKES WHAT HE'S SEEING HERE.
FIRST, IT WAS TENDAL AND THEN STOKES.
>> WE SEE TENDAL THERE.
THAT'S AN ADJUSTMENT FROM ALL THE HANDS IN THAT FIRST HALF.
A GREAT READ.
AND THEN STOKES, THE FRESHMAN, TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO ALL THE WAY.
YOU HAVE TO GET ALL THE WAY TO THE RIM UNLESS YOU'RE STOPPED.
WE SEE A LOT OF PLAYERS LOOK TO PASS TOO SOON.
STOKES NEW SHE WOULD TAKE IT UNLESS SHE GETS CUT OFF ALL THE WAY.
ALL THE WAY TO THE RIM FOR THE BUCKET.
>> DON MARTINDALE IN HIS FIFTH YEAR.
HIS 21st YEAR COACHING GIRLS BASKETBALL.
HE PREVIOUSLY WAS AT SPENCER.
BEFORE HE WAS GIRLS BASKETBALL COACH, 20 YEARS, THE BOYS BASKETBALL COACH.
NOW RETIRED HIGH SCHOOL P.E.
TEACHER.
CAME OUT OF RETIREMENT TO COACH THIS ELC TEAM.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT BACK.
IT'S BEEN GREAT.
HE SAID WE HAD TWO WINS.
>> NOW THE THREE-POINT LEAD.
THE FLOATER FROM LOEWE.
HAYLEE STOKES LEADS ELC WITH 7.
THERE'S THE TAKEAWAYLY LOEWE.
THREE ON ONE.
THE DEFENSIVE SLOT BY STOKES.
>> LOVE THE READ THERE BY LOEWE.
A GREAT DEFENSIVE PLAY BY STOKES.
COME FROM BEHIND.
>> AND STOKES IS THE ONE THAT LOST IT.
CAME ALL THE WAY BACK TO MAKE THE PLAY ON THE DEFENSIVE END OF THE FLOOR.
THESE TEAMS LOVE THEIR DEFENSE.
>> THEY SURE DO.
ALL OF THEM ARE BROUGHT INTO THE WAY THEY WANT TO PLAY.
WHICH IS FIRST FOCUS DEFENSE.
THEY'RE GOING TO GET IT DONE DEFENSIVELY.
THE TEAMS BOTH FINDING A LITTLE MORE MOMENTOUS OFFENSIVELY.
BUT WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO SEE BIG DEFENSIVE PLAYS THE REST OF THE NIGHT.
34 SECONDS TO GO IN THE THIRD QUARTER.
ELC WAS DOWN THREE AT HALFTIME.
AND UP THREE HERE IN THE FINAL SECONDS.
MAKES THEM PAY!
>> HUGE.
WOW.
HAYLEE STOKES.
HUGE BUCKET THERE.
WE'VE SEEN BROOKE LOEWE GIVE HER SPACE QUITE A BIT THROUGHOUT THIS GAME.
CHOOSING TO TAKE AWAY HER DRIVE.
HAYLEE STOKES DOING WHAT SHE NEEDS TO DO TO MAKE HER PLAY.
>> FEELING THE MOMENTUM AS HAYLEE STOKES, THE FRESHMAN, INTO DOUBLE FIGURES.
SHE HAS 10 POINTS.
STOKES, JUST A FRESHMAN.
LET'S LOOK AT WHERE THESE TWO TEAMS COME FROM.
PULL UP THE STATE MAP.
WE ARE IF THE CAPITAL CITY OF DES MOINES.
A 25-MILE DRIVE FOR BALLARD.
THEY'VE BEEN AT SCHOOL EVERY DAY THIS WEEK FOR ELC.
A LITTLE OVER THREE HOURS IN THE CAR.
THEY HAVE SPENT THE WEEK HERE IN DES MOINES.
NOW IT IS A TIED GAME WITH THE FOURTH QUARTER TO GO.
THE OFFENSE IS STARTING TO FIND SOME RHYTHM.
>> IT IS STARTING TO HEAT UP.
THEY FINAL THEIR RHYTHM.
SETTLE IN.
PLAY BASKETBALL BY SHARING THE BALL.
NOT TRYING TO PLAY ONE-ON-ONE.
BOTH TEAMS HAVE BEEN DOING A BETTER JOB.
>> WHAT IS IMPRESSING YOU ABOUT THIS FRESHMAN STOKES THAT IS GETTING IT GOING.
>> THE WAY SHE PLAYS ON BOTH ENDS OF THE COURT.
THIS IS NOT A FRESHMAN THAT ONLY FOCUSES ON GETTING HER POINT, OR WHAT'S GOING ON ON THE OFFENSIVE END.
SHE REALLY GETS HER ENERGY FROM THE WAY SHE PLAYS DEFENSIVELY.
SHE'S GETTING INVOLVED, TAKING SHOT THE WAY SHE NEEDS TO.
SHE'S BEEN INCREDIBLE.
>> LACK FOR THE 3A TITLE.
THEY'VE BEEN HERE BEFORE, RIGHT?
>> IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THAT PLAYS INTO THE END OF THE GAME.
WHEN YOU HAVE HAD THAT EXPERIENCE.
AND IT COMES DOWN TO PRESSURE SITUATIONS.
YOU HAVE TO LOOK TO BALLARD, HAVING BEEN HERE BEFORE, PLAYING IN THOSE CLOSE CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES.
ELC NOT SO MUCH.
THAT DOESN'T MAY NOT THAT THEY WON'T FIND A WAY TO GET THE WIN AT THE END.
>> EIGHT MINUTES FOR BOTH THESE TEAMS.
TO BATTLE FOR ONE TROPHY.
AND AN OFFENSIVE TURNOVER HERE.
I BELIEVE HE HAD A 5-SECOND CALL.
I BELIEVE IT WAS A FIVE-SECOND CALL THAT WAS WHISTLED.
THE DEFENSE FROM BALLARD, HITTING A NOTCH FROM SIX.
>> FEEL THE MOMENTUM CHANGE JUST ON THAT ONE POSSESSION.
THE ENERGY WAS DEFINITELY TOWARD ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL.
THE ENERGY WENT AWAY.
AND WE'RE BACK TO JUST PLAYING IT OUT.
>> THIS IS RIETZ ON THE WING.
SHE HAS 2 POINTS.
ONE OF SIX.
THAT ROLLS IN AND OUT.
NO GOOD.
HERE'S JORDIN STOKES COMING AWAY WITH THE REBOUND.
ELC IS CONTINUING TO GIVE IT TO HAYLEE STOKES.
>> COACH SAYS SHE'S ALWAYS IN COMMAND.
ONE OF THE BEST COMPLIMENTS FOR A TEAM WHO LEADS IN SCORING, WHEN THE COACH SAYS, I LOVE HER DEFENSE.
HERE'S LOEWE, A GOOD LOOK.
>> THE LAST COUPLE OF OUTSIDE SHOTS TAKEN BY BALLARD HAVE BEEN SHORT.
THE THIRD GAME IN THE TOURNAMENT, SECOND HALF.
YOUR LEGS ARE TIRED.
IT WILL BE IMPORTANT TO REALLY GET UNDERNEATH YOUR SHOT IF THEY CONTINUE FROM OUTSIDE.
>> WITH OUR LOW SCORING FIRST HALF, IT WAS 13-10 AT HALF TIME.
A FOUL CALLED ON BEALL.
THAT WILL BE THE THIRD ON BEALL.
GO GET THAT OPPONENT DEFENDER.
>> AFTER THIS TIME-OUT, A 6-POINT LEAD THOUGH.
LET'S DIVE INTO THE HUDDLE OF THE BALLARD BOMBERS AND HEAD COACH KELLY ANDERSON.
>> THEY'LL DO WHAT WE DO.
LET'S GET THE FIVE COUNT.
LET'S JUST DON'T SIT OUT THERE AND DRIBBLE.
YOU GOT THAT, RATE?
IF WE CAN BREAK SOMEBODY, WE MAY HAVE TO DO THAT.
WE HAVE TWO MORE FOULS.
IF YOU SATISFY ME START DOING THIS, THEN WAVE GOT A FOUL TO GET TO THAT POINT.
>> THERE'S AN ETERNITY LEFT IN THIS GAME.
>> AFTER HE GRADUATED FROM MORNING SIDE, HE STARTED COACHING FOOTBALL, BOYS TRACK AND FIELD, AND CENTRAL WEBSTER, SOUTHEAST WEBSTER.
HE TOLD HIS WIFE NANCY.
DON'T EVER LET ME COACH GIRLS.
MOVED TO BALLARD, STARTED COACHING GIRLS AND HE ABSOLUTELY LOVES IT.
HE SAID I HAVE A DAUGHTER, FOUR GRAND DAUGHTERS, I WOULDN'T CHANGE A THING.
HE LOVES THESE GIRLS.
>> HE SURE DOES.
HOW WELL THEY LISTEN, HOW WELL THEY PLAY TOGETHER.
AND THEY FEED OFF HIM.
WE SAW.
IN HUDDLE HIS STEADINESS EARLY IN THE GAME.
WE SAW HIM GET AFTER THAT, WHICH THEY TALKED ABOUT.
THEY HAVE A VERY MUTUAL LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER.
>> ALL HERE IN THE SECOND HALF.
THIS IS LOEWE ON THE DRIVE.
A MUCH-NEEDED BASKET FOR BALLARD.
LOEWE, 5 POINTS IN THE FIRST HALF.
TIED HAYLEE STOKES TO LEAD ALL SCORERS AT THE BREAK.
STOKESGUARDED LOOSELY HERE BY LOEWE.
STOKES GETS BY LOEWE.
THE SHOT IS AWAY.
THE FOUL IS ON HILLEBRAND.
IT'S COMING UP OVER THE TOP.
>> THE LAST SEVERAL POSSESSIONS, COACH MARTINDALE IS HAVING HIS OFFENSE SPREAD OUT.
GIVING HALE YEAH STOKES SPACE TO WORK.
KNOWING SHE CAN GET AROUND HER OWN DEFENDER.
IT WILL FORCE THEM TO MAKE A DECISION.
AND TRUST IN THE FRESHMAN THAT SHE'LL MAKE THE RIGHT CALL, AND SHE HAS BEEN.
>> ON THE SEASON.
A 76% FREE-THROW SHOOTER ON THE YEAR.
HEAR IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
FIVE MINUTES TO GO.
AN 8-POINT LEAD.
RIETZ.
LOOKING FOR HELP.
PIVOT RIGHT TO THE BASKET.
HAS HER OWN REBOUND.
LOEWE, 7 POINT.
THE OFFENSE FOR BALLARD.
THE OFFENSIVE REBOUND.
RIGBY WANTED TO GET THAT THREE-POINT SHOT OFF.
THE DEFENSE WAS JUST RATE IN THE FACES OF THE OPPONENT.
THERE IS MORE DEFENSE.
MITCHELL IS THE BLOCK ON RIETZ.
THESE TWO STATE STOKES GIRLS, JACKIE, THEIR DAD, SCOTT STOKES, IS ON THE BENCH.
THEY HAVE BEEN TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT EVERY YEAR THAT THEIR DAD BROUGHT THEM IN DIAPERS, BROUGHT THEM INTO THE STANDS.
WANTED THEM TO GET A THIRSTING FOR THE STATE TOURNAMENT.
AND THEY DO.
AND NOW THEY'RE IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP WITH AN 8-POINT LEAD WITH 3:40 TO GO.
DAD SCOTT WON A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP IN FOOTBALL AT WEST BEND BALLARD.
HE WANT TO SEE HIS TWO DAUGHTERS AT ELC WIN A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
LET'S LISTEN IN TO DON MARTINDALE.
>> MAKE SURE, STRONG WITH THE BALL NOW.
KEEP REBOUNDING LIKE YOU'VE BEEN DOING.
BE STRONG ON THE BALL.
WE HAVE FOUR TIMEOUTS LEFT.
FIVE OUT.
FIVE OUT.
YEAH.
GET A TIME-OUT.
DIG IN, NOW.
DIG IN.
HEY!
TNT!
NO EXCUSES, TO REGRETS, AND TOUGHNESS.
THAT IS THE MANTRA FOR ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL.
>> YOU JUST HEARD THE COACH SAYING DIG IN.
SHE HAS SUCH TREMENDOUS RAPPORT WITH THE PLAYERS.
GETS THEM THROUGH THE UPS, THE DOWNS, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.
YOU HEARD THAT LAST WORD IN THERE.
>> THE ASSISTANT COACH, THE VOLUNTEER FOR ELC.
A WALK-ON NATIVE AND IOWA GIRL HERSELF.
SHE SAYS THESE GIRLS COME READY EVERY DAY.
AND THEY HAVE CRANKED IT UP IN THE SECOND HALF.
RIGBY.
SHE WANT TO LET THAT THREE-POINT SHOT.
DRAWS THE FOUL.
ON TENDAL.
>> ALLIYAH THOMPSON HAS REALLY STEPPED UP FOR BALLARD ALL GAME.
SHE HAS MADE SOME BIG PLAYS WHEN NOTHING ELSE HAS BEEN GOING FOR BALLARD.
THE OFFENSE OUT OF SORTS.
SHE'S BEEN ON THE GLASS AND GOTTEN HERSELF TO THE FREE-THROW LINE.
REALLY IMPORTANT FOR BALLARD.
>> FANTASTIC HOMES.
BALLARD'S KELLY ANDERSON.
REBOUND BY JASEY ANDERSON.
STOKES OUT TO GET THE BASKETBALL.
STOKES, BY RIETZ.
>> I REALLY LAYING JORDYN STOKES' DECISION MAKING.
YOU SEE THEM HESITATING AND PLAY LESS AGGRESSIVELY.
SHE WAS NOT AFRAID TO ATTACK AND STAY IN CONTROL.
ENDED UP GETTING FOULED THERE.
I LOVED HER ABILITY TO STAY IN THE AGGRESSIVE MODE.
>> THE AVERAGE IS 7 POINTS PER GAME.
GETS ONE OF TWO.
THE 3-POINT SHOT IS GOOD BY RIETZ.
>> YOU HEARD COACH ANDERSON SAY, THERE IS AN ETERNITY OF TIME LEFT.
>> STOKES' SHOTS.
SPINS IT HOME.
OFF THE GLASS.
A LITTLE ENGLISH FROM THE FRESHMAN.
>> UNBELIEVABLE PLAY BY THE FRESHMAN.
THERE WAS AN ETERNITY OF TIME.
THE FRESHMAN GETS THE HUGE PLAY.
THAT THAT I BE THE BIG DIFFERENCE MAKER IN TERMS OF THE PLAY IN SEPARATING IT.
ELC COULD COME AWAY WITH THIS WIN.
>> WITH 2:46, COACH MARTINDALE CALLS A TIME-OUT.
BALLARD TRYING TO RALLY HERE.
LET'S LISTEN IN.
>> LET'S HIT ANOTHER SHOT.
ALL RIGHT?
EVERYBODY HAS TO DENY EXCEPT ON 22.
AGAIN, THERE'S STILL PLENTY OF TIME HERE.
IF WE DO THAT, GET THE BALL IN THE HOOP.
THE RIGHT PEOPLE.
>> GOAL FOR BALLARD AT THE START OF THE YEAR, A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
THEY'RE DOING IT FOR THEIR COMMUNITY.
FOR FANS, AS WE TALKED ABOUT IN THE FIRST HALF.
ELMER, A 1965 BALLARD GRAD.
RIGHT THERE IN THE HAT.
HIS SON COREY FROM FASTBALL COACH.
A LONG TIME EMPLOYEE.
A BUS DRIVER FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.
WE'VE SEEN THAT.
HE WOULD LOVE A FANTASTIC FOURTH QUARTER RALLY.
>> HE WOULD.
HE WOULD LOVE TO SEE IT TURN INTO A VICTORY.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE, AS WE'VE HEARD.
THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED IN BOTH THESE PROGRAMS.
THE PEOPLE ARE EVERYTHING.
>> THE OHIO STATE CHAMPIONSHIP A SEASON AGO.
FOR BALLARD.
LOEWE TRYING TO PUT MORE LIGHT INTO THIS BALLARD CROWD.
MAKES IT AN 8-POINT GAME.
TENDAL BACK TO STOKES.
ELC TRYING TO CLOSE THINGS OUT HERE IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
TRAILED AT HALFTIME.
BUT A HUGE THIRD QUARTER.
OUTSCORING BALLARD.
14-5.
WINNING THIS FOURTH QUARTER AS WELL.
THE FOUL CALL ON THOMPSON.
THOMPSON, HER THIRD.
HERE'S WHAT BALLARD NEEDS MORE OF.
>> MADE SHOTS.
THAT'S WHAT COACH ANDERSON ASKED FOR.
HE WANTED A FOUL.
A LITTLE MORE QUICKLY.
AND ON A DIFFERENT PLAYER ON THE OTHER END.
SOMETIMES YOU'VE JUST GOT TO FOUL WHO IS LEFT AND STOKES IS MAKING THEM PLAY.
>> HAYLEE STOKES, THE FRESHMAN.
AT THE FREE-THROW LINE.
NOW 16 POINT FOR ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL.
SHE HAD 5 AT HALFTIME.
TURNING IT ON IN THE CLUTCH.
AND THERE IS THE PASS BY STOKES.
THE TAKEAWAY BY JORDIN.
THE FOUL BY RIGBY.
BACK TO THE FREE-THROW LINE.
THE FRESHMAN, HAYLEE STOKES.
>> THAT POSSESSION.
BALLARD NEEDED TO SCORE THERE QUICKLY.
GET TO THE RIM.
THEY DROVE.
INSTEAD OF TAKING THE SHOT, LOOK FOR A TEAMMATE.
ENDED UP IN A TURNOVER.
THEY MAY LOOK BACK AT THAT.
THE LEARNING OPPORTUNITY, SEVERAL SENIORS THAT THEY'LL MISS.
IN THOSE SITUATIONS, YOU HAVE TO GET TO THE RIM QUICKLY.
>> STOKES MISSES THE FREE-THROW.
AT TEN.
NOW AN 11-POINT LEAD.
HERE'S LOEWE.
ATTACKING QUICKLY.
THE KICKOUT.
RIGBY FIRES THE THREE.
IT IS BLOCKED OUT ON THE WING.
>> BY HAYLEE STOKES.
>> GUESS WHO?
ANOTHER DEFENSIVE PLAY FROM THE FRESHMAN.
JUST A FANTASTIC KNACK.
THAT'S SOMETHING YOU ONLY GET IF YOU COME WHEN YOU'RE IN DIAPERS.
EVERY YEAR YOU'RE ALIVE, YOU JUST WATCH ENOUGH GAMES.
YOU HAVE THAT INSTINCT.
>> YOU'RE RIGHT.
COACH'S KID.
A LOT OF COACHES' KIDS ON THIS TEAM IN PARTICULAR.
YOU CAN TELL THE WAY THEY PLAY.
>> THE SECOND FREE-THROW.
HOW ABOUT EIGHT OF NINE AT THE FREE-THROW LANE?
19 POINT FOR STOKES.
>> JORDYN STOKES, SUPPLYING THE DEFENSE.
THE THIRD PERSONAL FOUL.
SO MEG RIETZ TO THE FREE-THROW LINE.
THE 6' SENIOR.
LEADS THE TEAM IN REBOUNDS.
WILL PLAY COLLEGE BASKETBALL AT WAYNE STATE.
A STARTER IN LAST YEAR'S CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM.
REALLY WORKED ON HER OUTSIDE SHOT IN THE LAST YEAR.
AFTER THE FREE-THROWS, 12-POINT ELC LEAD.
STOKES GETTING DOUBLE TEAMED, TRIPLE TEAMED.
FINALLY GETS THE FOUL CALL ON NOE.
>> AND THERE WAS A NICE SMILE EXCHANGE BETWEEN FRESHMAN HAYLEE STOKES AND SENIOR KAITLYN TENDAL OF COMING INTO THIS GAME, BRAD, WE WERE UNCERTAIN ABOUT HAYLEE STOKES' CONDITION.
WE SAW HER LEAVE THE SEMIFINAL GAME EARLY.
SHE HIT THE GROUND HARD.
SHE WENT TO THE FREE-THROW LINE.
DID NOT HIT RIM AT ALL.
YOU COULD TELL SHE WAS PRETTY DIZZY AND WE DIDN'T SEE HER THE REST OF THE GAME.
>> THAT SEMIFINAL GAME.
IT HAS PLAYED PHENOMENAL IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME HEAR.
THE FINAL MINUTE FOR ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL.
THE DEEP THREE FROM LOEWE.
AND THE TIME-OUT TAKEN BY BALLARD.
THAT'S THE DEFICIT.
ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL.
IN THEIR FIFTH TITLE GAME.
TRYING TO CLOSE OUT THEIR SCHOOL'S SECOND STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
>> RIGHT HERE, BOOM, BOOM.
MY BAD.
I WANT YOU THERE.
I WANT THIS PERSON OUT OF HERE.
OKAY.
THIS IS HAYLEEHAYLEE.
TAKE THE BALL OUT.
JORDYN.
YEP, I WANT IT RIGHT HERE.
THAT'S WHERE I WANT THE BALL.
>> RIGHT HERE.
JUST TAKE OFF.
THAT'S HAYLEE.
>> ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL TRYING TO CLOSE OUT THE 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
HEAD COACH DON MARTINDALE LOOKING FOR HIS FIRST STATE TITLE.
>> BRAD, I THINK IT WAS COACH MARTINDALE WHO SAID ONE OF THESE TWO TEAMS WILL BREAK LOOSE.
OFFENSIVELY, ONE OF THEM WILL BREAK LOOSE.
AND IT WAS HIS SQUAD, TEN POINT IN THE FIRST HALF.
31 IN THE SECOND.
OF COURSE, HALE YEAH STOKES, A HUGE PART OF THAT.
THE FRESHMAN.
THEY'VE UPDATED THE STATS.
IT WAS POINT FOR THE FRESHMAN HERE.
THAT MEANS 17 SECOND HALF POINTS ALONE.
>> NOT A BAD FIRST EXPERIENCE IN THE TOURNAMENT, IN THE TITLE GAME.
>> 3-0.
ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL WAS HERE IN 2019.
THIS IS THE SECOND TRIP WITH COACH MARTINDALE.
>> MARINEDALE ALWAYS COACHING.
NITCHALS MISSES.
>> AND BRAD, FOR ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL, IN ADDITION TO THE TWO SENIOR STARTERS, KAITLYN TENDAL AND TWO OTHERS, THEY HAD GABBY PAUL A PART OF THAT TEAM.
THEY WERE NAMES MENTIONED YESTERDAY AS WELL.
THEY WANTED TO GET BACK HERE ONE GAME AT A TIME.
THEY NEW THEY COULD DO THIS.
WE'RE SEEING IT PLAY OUT.
>> THE SENIOR, TENDAL, THROWS IT AHEAD.
AND STOKES WILL BACK IT OUT AND BACK TO THE FREE-THROW LINE.
22 SECONDS UP ON THE CLOCK.
BEFORE ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL.
WINS THEIR FIRST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
JACKIE, THIS WILL BE 40 YEARS, ON THE NOSE.
1982.
ESTHERVILLE WON A SIX ON SIX STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
>> YOU'RE GIVING ME THE GOOSE BUMPS, BRAD.
IT'S INCREDIBLE.
WE HAD HEARD IN THEIR OWN STORY SPECIAL IN HALFTIME.
ANY TIME YOU SEE ANYBODY WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP, IT BRINGS BACK THAT SPECIAL FEELING.
THAT EMOTION.
IT'S INCREDIBLE.
FOR THESE PLAYERS WHO AGAIN, THEY'VE PLAYED TOGETHER FOR SO LONG AS YOU SAID.
CAME TO THE STATE TOURNAMENT.
WATCHED IT.
NEVER LOOKED TOO FAR AHEAD BUT WORK THEIR TAILS OFF.
DIDN'T DO ANY CONDITIONING DRILLS BECAUSE THEY WORKED SO HARD IN PRACTICE.
EARNING THIS TONIGHT.
>> LOEWE, ANOTHER LAST SECOND.
ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL GOING TO THE BENCH.
THE FIST IN THE AIR.
>> BREI CHRISTOFFER, GABBY PAUL, HILLARY RUSCHY, ABBY SANDER, A SENIOR, AND THE IOWA ACADEMIC ALL STATER ON THE FLOOR FOR ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL.
THERE'S SANDER, THE SENIOR.
AND CHRISTOFFER WILL HOLD IT FOR THE FINAL SECONDS.
ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL.
40 YEARS AFTER THE 1982 SIX ON SIX TITLE.
THEY ARE THE CLASS 3A STATE CHAMPIONS.
THERE ARE THE STOKES SISTERS.
24 POINTS IN THIS STATE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
THE CHAMPIONSHIP T-SHIRTS COMING OUT.
AND THE CLASS OF COACH MARTINDALE AND COACH ANDERSON.
THE POSTGAME HANDSHAKE.
THE TIME FOR DON MARTINDALE.
HIS 21 YEARS COACHING BASKETBALL.
THE ASSISTANT COACH, THE STAND SCOTT STOKES, DAVID NITCHALS.
A TEAM EFFORT.
>> JENNIFER DONALS, TRAVIS, AND GREG.
YOUR CLASS 3A TOURNAMENT TEAM.
FROM BALLARD.
LILY BEALL.
FROM ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL.
KAITLYN TENDAL.
FROM UNITY CHRISTIAN.
FROM WEST LION, BROOKLYN MEYER.
FROM BALLARD, BROOKE LOEWE.
AND YOUR CLASS 3A ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM CAPTAIN.
FROM ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL.
HAYLEE STOKES.
>> NO DOUBT HAYLEE STOKES, THE CAPTAIN OF THIS YEAR'S 20223A, 24 POINTS IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
THERE YOU SATISFY, SIX LADIES THAT PUT IT ON THE FLOOR IN DES MOINES.
>> THEY SURE DID.
THERE ARE SOME SENIORS GOING ON TO PLAY COLLEGE BASKETBALL.
THOSE PROGRAMS GETTING SOME GREAT PLAYERS.
GREAT PEOPLE.
HOW DO YOU NOT LOOK DOWN AT THE END TO THE FRESHMAN?
JUST HAVE A BIG SMILE ON YOUR FACE.
>> SHE OPENED UP HER STATE EXPERIENCE WITH 16 POINT IN THE QUARTERFINALS.
11 POINT IN THE SEMIS.
AND 24 IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME.
>> YOUR 20 IT WAS CLASS 3A RUNNER UP.
THE HEAD COACH KELLY ANDERSON.
FANS, LET'S HEAR IT FOR YOUR CHAMPIONS, THE ESTHERVILLE LINCOLN CENTRAL MIDGETS AND DON MARTINDALE!
>> THERE ARE THE SMILES.
40 YEARS AGO, ESTHERVILLE HAD THAT SAME FEELING AND IT'S BACK.
>> I ALWAYS FEEL FOR BOTH SIDES.
BALLARD, YOU SEE THE TEARS IN THEIR EYES.
HARD FOUGHT, INCREDIBLE SEASON.
THEY GOT TO EXPERIENCE IT A YEAR AGO.
YOU LOOK NOW AT ELC.
IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME.
HARD TO FEEL ANYTHING BUT GAS BUNCHES.
AND THERE YOU SEE, THE DANCE THEY WERE ALL TALKING ABOUT YESTERDAY THAT THEY WANTED TO SEE HER DO IF THEY WON THE CHAMPIONSHIP.
>> SHE CUTS A RUG.
WIN NUMBER 26 ENDS THE SEASON WITH A 3A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
LET'S SEND IT UP TO PAUL.
>> GREAT JOB, JACKIE AND BRAD.
IN 2019 WHEN ESTHERVILLE CENTRAL TRADE TO COME, THEY GOT SNOWED OUT.
THEY HAD TO TAKE BUSES BEFORE THEY COULD COME.
THAT WAS THE BIG TROPHY.
HAYLEE STOKES.
CONGRATULATIONS.
THAT WILL DO IT FOR OUR FIRST NIGHT OF THE TOURNAMENT COVERAGE HERE.
WE'RE BACK WITH EVEN MORE ACTION TOMORROW.
OUR PREGAME SHOW STARTS AT 2:00.
SEAT REMINDER.
JOIN US THEN.
WE'LL HAVE THE 4A, 2A.
A FULL SLATE OF HOOPS.
WE HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US ON STATEWIDE IOWA PBS.
THAT'S IT FROM WELLS FARGO ARENA AND WE'LL SEE YOU TOMORROW
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