>>> Welcome in to downtown Des Moines for a tripleheader of Iowa girls high school hoops.

We've already crowned two champions of class 3a and 5a.

Today we have three of them, 4a, 2a, and 1a to be decided right here on Iowa PBS.

The cheerleaders are ready, and so are we.

I'm Paul Yeager.

Here at the onsite sports desk.

A great perch overlooking the game action.

I'll be back at halftime with game highlights and the kind of quality features that you have come to expect from Iowa PBS.

But first, let's go down and pass it courtside to our colleagues B.J.

shaven and Laura Leonard with their call of the 4a championship.

>> Saturday March 4th, and it is time for state championship basketball.

Up first in 4a, the second seeded north poke comets taking on the top seed mustangs of Dallas Center-Grimes.

With Laura Leonard, I'm B.J.

shaven.

When you look at these two teams are from central Iowa and know each other well.

>> They played early on in the season and Dallas Center-Grimes won that game.

It did go to overtime.

They outscored north Polk 9-0 in overtime.

Both seems stingy on defense, giving up -- >> North Polk, the number two seed, this is their sixth trip overall.

Best in 4a.

They're a scoring machine, and they have been distancing themselves from the competition, bettering teams by 20 points.

They've got three players to keep an eye on.

One in particular is MaKayla Boatman, averaging 17 a game here at the state tournament.

Now for Dallas Center-Grimes, I mean, this is a team that has been the number one seed for three straight years.

Defeated north Polk in early November and they've got a couple of players but the one we're going headline is Emma miner.

Leads a very balanced team, averaging 15 points per game, and she is the catalyst.

Let's turn it over to the public address announcer, Tim Fitzgerald.

>> Each year at the state basketball tournament, the Iowa bankers association presents a student athlete achievement award to a student athlete in each class who excels on the court, in the classroom and in the community.

The recipient receives a $1,000 scholarship to the college of their choice.

The 2023 student athlete achievement award winner for class 4a is Kileigh Lachacz from Dallas Center-Grimes high school in grimes.

Her parents are Kerry and mark Lachacz.

Presenting the award is Todd McGowan with bank in grimes.

Thank you to Todd with midwest bank in grimes and the association for their sponsorship of this award.

The Iowa girls athletic union promotes good partnership.

We request your cooperation by supporting the officials and spectators in a positive manner.

Profanity, racial, sexist or abusive comments or intimidating actions directed at officials, participants, coaches, team representatives or event personnel will not be tolerated and are ground removal.

We thank you for your cooperation and invite you to just enjoy the game.

>> North Polk fans, let's hear it for your comments.

>> DCG fans, let's hear it for your mustangs.

♪ ♪♪ >> Fans it's now time to meet the players in today's 4a championship.

First of all, let me introduce to you the nonstarters for the north Polk comets.

Number 3, trinity miller.

Number 5, madi Nemmers.

Number 12, Maddy Simoens.

Number 14, Ashley owen.

Number 20, the Lauren Ausborn.

Number 21, Ava Husak.

23, Kaylee Koudelka.

24, Jada Podey.

Number 30,s ands and, and number 40 Greta Dillinger.

Your assistant coaches, Alex Bollmeyer and Ann Sloan.

Now let's meet your nonstarters for the home team from Dallas Center-Grimes.

Number 2, Kenna Knief.

Number 4, Neela Williamson.

Number 10, Olivia Curtis.

Number 14, Jenna Morrison.

Number 22, Kayla Reis.

Number 23, Sophia Bauman.

Number 30, Sydney Miller.

Number 32, Kileigh Lachacz.

Number 34, Olivia Huston.

Number 42, Sydney Meints.

Your assistant coaches, Judy Nissly, rich Kloster, Jalen Raymond, and Jacob HEINEmann.

♪ ♪♪ And now, here are your starters for this 4a championship.

For north Polk at guard, a senior, number 4, MaKayla Boatman.

For Dallas Center-Grimes, a guard, a junior, number 12, Vanessa Bickford.

For the comets, a guard, a senior, number 11, Liza Schaffer.

>>R for the mustangs, a junior, number 20, Aubrey Johansen.

At guard for north Polk, a sophomore, number 22, abby Tuttle.

At guard for Dallas Center-Grimes, a senior, number 24, Finley Fitzgerald.

For the comets at fourth, a senior, number 32, Izzy McCool.

For the mustangs at forward, a junior, number 44, Josie Lampe.

And for north Polk at center, a sophomore, number 33, becca Aagard.

For Dallas center grimes at forward, a senior, number 50, Emma miner.

Head coach for the comets, Clint Albertsen and for the must -- mustangs, Adam Jones.

Our officials for today's championship, Scott Giles, James Crozier, Casey PELZer, and your fence official, Steve Schultz.

All right, who's ready to win a state championship?

♪ ♪♪ >> B.J.

: So here we go, back at wells Fargo arena.

It is the class 4a state championship, Dallas Center-Grimes will be the home team taking on the north Polk comets.

And Laura, what are the keys to the game for the comets?

>> Laura: What north Polk needs to do is win the battle of the boards.

They cannot get outrebounded and need to have that advantage to get the running game going, and no uncontested threes.

They got to get a hand in the face all the time, get out and defend on the arc.

>> B.J.

: And for Dallas Center-Grimes?

>> Laura: They need to rely on their defense.

They're only giving up 35 points a game here in the tournament.

Need to work inside out.

Need to establish Emma miner on the inside, kick it out to perimeter shooters.

>> B.J.

: Here we go, DCG wearing home white with red numbers.

North Polk wearing away black with gray as the referee, Scott Giles is ready to put this one in play, and we are under way.

The opening tip controlled by the comets.

They've got an outstanding starting five.

A lot of point production.

They have been together for quite a while.

They have Tuttle, Schaffer, boatman, Mccool, and Aagard.

This is a group that won 18 straight games coming SPOO this match.

Tuttle looks to drive.

It's on the deck, and DCG will come up with the steal.

Mustangs, school playing in their first ever championship game.

And trying to get it done.

>> Laura: Looks right now like -- I thought they were in a zone initially, but they're picking up man-to-man, sagging a bit in the bitle.

>> B.J.

: Bickford.

Can't get it.

Gets her own rebound.

Miner's shot rejected by Tuttle!

The sophomore stepping up big there.

It's been a defensive type of tournament here in class 4a, the most competitive field.

In fact, many said coming into the tournament any one of the eight could have been playing here on championship Saturday.

And it looked that way awe throughout the tournament.

Now carry called against north Polk.

They'll turn it over.

>> Laura: We knew coming in that the 4a class was really, really tough top to bottom, and I think those games play out that way in the tournament.

They were close in competitive games.

But in the end, both of these teams play really good defense, and that's what's got them to this championship game.

>> B.J.

: So, Bickford will be at the point.

Looking to run it.

Picked up by Tuttle.

DCG will work the clock.

Shot clock, you see in yellow on the your portion of the score bug here, it's inside of ten.

Miner looking to go inside the paint.

Goes back right.

They're going to have to reset in a hurry.

Shot clock winding down.

Lampe.

And a foul is going to be called on the floor.

This goes against Mccool.

The team's first.

>> Laura: They get bailed out a little bit, that shot clock winding down.

They're going a good job of defending and DCG is just taking their time on the floor, just being patient.

They let it work, but they almost got it down a little too far, but got some help.

>> B.J.

: Miner in the paint.

Can't get the roll shot.

And the rebound to north poke going for their first ever state title.

Lost in the title game in 2019 and again in 2020 to Sioux city heelen.

And it was heelen who north Polk bested in the semifinals.

On the drive.

The lay-up not there.

And miner with a rebound.

>> One and done for both teams, and that's what you have to do, control the boards, not give up a lot of second-chance opportunities, and neither of these defenses do that often.

>> B.J.

: Fitzgerald in the paint.

Lost it.

Looks like it's going to be tied up.

Possession arrow keeps it with DCG.

Is there a level of nerves early on?

These two teams throughout the tournament, their offense would flow pretty well, and we're not seeing that so far.

>> Laura: I would agree, there's probably some nerves, jitters.

Once you get things going and once you see the first hoop fall or first bucket go, then everybody can relax, or you say she one of these coaches call a time-out.

There's your first points of this ball game.

>> B.J.

: Abby Tuttle able to put it through.

She had 20 in the semifinals against heelen.

Now comes up with another steal.

>> Laura: That's the advantage of Aagard in the back line.

She has the long arms, can get in the passing lanes.

She's really good defensively, and there you can see it.

Good look at the dribble drive of Tuttle getting inside and getting the first two points.

North Polk going to come out and give a little pressure.

Three-quarter court.

We saw it a little further up that last possession as well.

They're going to bury things in what they're showing to DCG.

>> B.J.

: Bickford going to have it back to reset.

These two teams played well throughout the tournament defensively.

Shot clock inside of five.

Bickford!

And a foul going to be call on Tuttle.

That will be her first.

The team as second.

>> They are certainly winding the clock down.

They're passing it around and putting it on the floor trying to make contact.

>> B.J.

: There's Clint Albertsen, the head coach for north Polk.

Ten years here.

Has guided the team to four state tournaments.

Mentioned the couple of championship appearances.

Miner's shot not there.

The rebound Aagard, listed at 6'2", becca Aagard, a rebounding machine.

Just got her first one there.

>> Laura: He's also a blocking machine as well, as she's number two in class 4a blocks per game.

>> B.J.

: That shot deflected away by miner.

Here come the mustangs.

Miner with the drive.

Has it swatted away by Aagard, and it's off of miner.

This one will go back to north Polk.

>> Laura: Aagard hustled to get back in defensive position, and miner just going to take it right at her.

>> B.J.

: There's head coach for Dallas Center-Grimes, Adam Jones.

135 minutes overall in the program, and you can tell after the semifinal win against Ballard -- they won in the closing seconds, last-minute free throw, there was a lot of relief of DCG cracking through to the finals.

>> Laura: Just think about what they've done in their conference as well, and over the last three years they have gone 40-2 in conference play.

>> B.J.

: So, Tuttle will walk it ahead into the frontcourt.

Tried to go inside.

Miner with the steal.

The St. Thomas recruit will bring it up with the right hand.

Pulls up.

The short jumper is good.

And Emma miner breaks the ice for Dallas Center-Grimes to tie it up.

>> Laura: You know, we don't see that enough -- players pulling up and hitting that midrange jumper.

A loft player just want to keep the dribble, take it in and try to draw contact.

Love the fact she got there, made pulled up and made the jumper.

>> B.J.

: Whistle on the FLOOR.

This is going to be turned over.

Each team going to the bench.

Checking in for Dallas Center-Grimes is system.

Is and Kayla Reis.

We'll get north Polk in a moment.

>> Laura: Going to get a look.

Miner bringing the ball down the floor, keeping her eyes up.

Saw the defenses waiting for her, pulls up, and knocks down the jumper.

>> B.J.

: Ashley ow, and Jada Podey into the contest for the comets.

Each team rather cold from the field.

North Polk shooting at 25%.

And Dallas Center-Grimes right around 13% to get this thing started.

>> Laura: This north Polk defense is really making DCG start their offense way out, way out at the half-court line.

>> B.J.

: Here's rice.

The kick out to lampe.

Shot clock again winding down.

Lampe's shot rejected away by north Polk!

How about Aagard and her presence, the sophomore.

>> Laura: Well, she is a difference maker in the middle.

She's got that long reach, stands her ground, and swats it away.

>> B.J.

: Three-ball.

Off the mark.

Miner with the rebound.

You get the feeling Dallas Center-Grimes needs to get out and run a little bit more, if they can.

>> Laura: Yeah, I think they'd like to.

They'd like to push tempo.

They're controlling the boards not allowing them to set up the pressure.

>> B.J.

: Tied at 2.

Bickford.

Now to Reis.

Looking to get it to miner.

Lampe can't handle the pass.

It will be turned over.

Back to the bench for north Polk.

As they bring Liza Schaffer back into the contest along with Ava Husak, who's into the game for the first time.

So, the comets trying to break this deadlock.

Got a bucket early on out of Tuttle.

Putting it on the deck here with Mccool.

Now on the drive, the shot off the mark, and the rebound to Reis.

Ahead in the frontcourt.

Nearly taken away, and it finally is.

Podey with it.

>> Laura: Smart move to slow it down, let everybody get into the frontcourt and get reset.

>> B.J.

: Looking to drive, Schaffer.

Hits the deuce!

>> Laura: That's what she does so well.

She is that slasher/driver township of player.

When she puts it on the floor she knows how to get through defenders and get the good angles to the glass.

>> B.J.

: There's about a half second difference between shot and game clocks so for all intense and purposes, Dallas Center-Grimes is going to hold here.

>> Laura: That's what they have been doing most of the game any way this first quarter, holding the ball, working the shot clock.

>> B.J.

: Bickford working the drive.

Ties it up at 4 apiece.

And north Polk won't be able to get a shot off.

So, we are tied at 4 through the first 8 minutes of play.

Again, these two teams know each other really well, but how did they get here?

Let's go to Paul Yeager, who's standing by.

>> It's like we're playing softball, and they're tied at 4 it would be a good game, but here in basketball in the first quarter, it's been pretty even.

Let's take a look at how to two teams got here.

Laura, let's first start with the comets against bishop heelen.

And early on it's abby Tuttle as she would drive.

Looks familiar, what she's doing here tonight.

Hits another big three.

Boatman, inbound, pass at the end of the buzzer.

North Polk hit a couple of buzzer beaters in this game, and that six points made a big difference in plow for that.

The other contest was a low-scoring affair as well, and this one came down to the final seconds.

Big plays from Sydney Miller, as she hit a buzzer beater of her own at the end of the first quarter.

Then there was contact, and there's Vanessa Bickford on the putback after the blocked shot.

1.7 seconds.

Only need to score with a second on the screen, and that's what DCG did as they advance.

Let's go down to the floor for quarter number two here in class 4a.

>> B.J.

: Thanks a lot, Paul, and great to see the pink suit.

I think there were a lot of people concerned last night they didn't see the pink suit, but here it is today.

>> Laura: It's reserved for championship Saturday.

We love it, and I don't know how we can compete with it.

We try, but I don't think there's any competing with that beautiful pink suit.

>> B.J.

: All right, so let's begin the second quarter.

North Polk and Dallas Center-Grimes all tied up at 4 ray piece.

On the floor for the comets, starting five out there.

A bucket right away for the comets.

>> Laura: Izzy McCool able to get inside and work one-on-one, get a nice little hook shot over the top of the defenders.

>> B.J.

: Here's Reis for three.

Left it short.

And the rebound to north Polk.

>> Laura: Have not seen a whole lot of deep shots here in this ball game.

Both these teams really concentrating ongoing inside into the paint.

>> B.J.

: And DCG able to come up with the ball.

Kileigh Lachacz into the contest for the first time.

She's joined out there and I Reis, lampe, Finley Fitzgerald.

Hasn't touched the ball a whole lot here in the opening going.

Keep an eye on here.

She's wearing number 24.

They finally go to her, and Tuttle going to ring up her second personal foul.

>> Laura: Yeah, Fitzgerald is usually very active on the offensive end, does a lot of cutting, trying to get the ball on the curl cuts.

And this is a good look at the first bucket to start this second quarter inside by Izzy McCool.

>> B.J.

: So, back into action.

Miner back into the game.

Will swim to her right.

Now goes back left.

Miner.

>> Laura: Boy, the trick there is to keep the pivot foot down with all those actions that are happening.

She shows ball, keeps the pith foot down, ducks up and under.

>> B.J.

: Emma miner can it putt a clinic on on post moves.

And Liza Schaffer says, I'm going to drive and it get my second bucket of the game.

North Polk by two.

>> Laura: Liza Schaffer in the quarterfinal game had 21 points, and she has also got seven offensive rebounds here in this tournament.

So she knows what to do, how to get to the glass.

Not only on the offensive end, but she goes to the glass when she's not shooting to pull offensive rebounds.

>> B.J.

: North Polk back to work again with a two-point lead.

Boatman.

DCG showing zone.

>> Laura: Little bit different look.

Want to switch things up, see if you can keep them guessing.

They saw how to get through it.

Nice diagonal pass down low to Aagard.

>> B.J.

: Coach Albertsen said becca Aagard, the most improved player on the team.

Last year as a freshman, not a factor with her varsity squad them year she's contributed so much not only offensivelying but defensively.

Boatman able to knock down the rebound.

>> Laura: Doesn't always score a lo of points, averaging just under five for the season, but she gets about seven rebound a game and we've already talk about what she does as far as blocked shots.

With the reach she can disrupt on the offensive flow.

>> B.J.

: Largest lead of the game by either team.

Miner trying to take on the sophomore, and becca Aagard with her second block of the night.

>> Laura: Aagard has been tough in the middle, timing it just right.

Doesn't foul.

Reaches over and knocks it away.

>> B.J.

: Miner for three.

It's not working inside so she takes it outside.

>> Laura: That just shows you how versatile she is and what kind of game she has.

She can go inside.

We've already seen her handle the basketball as well.

She's brought the ball down the floor a couple of different times.

So you're right, go inside.

Shot get knocked away.

So she steps outside and knocks down this big three-pointer, as nobody rotates outside to get a hand in the face.

>> B.J.

: Emma miner, team's leading scorer.

Only had five points in the semifinal, including the free-throw against Ballard.

Tonight, she has seven in the 4a championship.

Miner thought about it.

Now pulls up.

Rebound tapped around.

North Polk will grab it.

For a moment.

And a foul going to be called on Fitzgerald.

Finley will pick up her first.

>> Laura: Ball's on the floor.

You're going to see bodies on the floor after it.

Schaffer went down to get it initially, and Fitzgerald thought, I'm going to get in and see if I can knock it away, too.

She's feisty, and I know I would not want to be defended by her.

Fitzgerald always gets right in your face.

>> B.J.

: Or Tuttle.

Talk about two that don't mind scrapping.

Here's a kick out to the corner by boatman.

And MaKayla Boatman checks into the scoring column for the first time.

>> Laura: Thought Fitzgerald might have a little PEEFS that shot as she was going up, but boatman able to convert, and boatman is a player that can do a lot of things in showing versatility.

Aagard having a huge game in the first half.

>> B.J.

: Boatman for three.

This one going to be tapped out, and it will go to north Polk.

>> Laura: You see the crosscourt pass and dribble drive right through outstretched arms.

Gets it to go, and boatman really averaging 17 points a game, she can do multiple things.

We saw her have 21 in the quarterfinals.

>> B.J.

: Ring it up for Izzy McCool.

And the largest lead here for north Polk.

>> Laura: Well, north Polk starting to get into a little bit of a rhythm offensively.

They're looking pretty good about how they move the ball.

They're looking a little more comfortable.

DCG is not really able to get anything going.

>> B.J.

: It's been Emma miner pretty much for DCG.

Now to Fitzgerald.

Five on the shot clock.

They go inside.

Bickford, who is left alone, and count the basket.

>> Laura: I was over here directing traffic.

I was saying, oh, my goodness, she's so wide open.

Everybody answer attention was up top, and Bickford did the right thing to cut to the basket and jumped and jumped and jumped and finally got a pass inside and drew the foul.

>> B.J.

: She was like, how do I tell you I'm open without telling you I'm open?

>> Laura: I know.

She's doing everything not to draw attention to her but draw attention to her.

>> B.J.

: So Bickford at the line, unable to knock that one down.

And it's still a four-point lead here for north Polk.

DCG will drop back to the man-to-man defense.

They go to Aagard at the high post.

Now off to Ashley owen and miner will take it away.

Fitzgerald.

Lost the handle.

And regroups.

>> Laura: That's just sticking with it.

Not panicking when you can't get the ball cleanly.

Regains control of it and goes up between three defenders.

>> B.J.

: The kickout.

Owen for three.

Gets her own rebound back.

And then the mustangs take it away.

>> Laura: Good hustle by owen to follow her shot.

Just could not corral the loose ball.

>> B.J.

: Working the baseline, Bickford.

Little too strong.

Rebound come down to Schaffer.

>> Laura: I think she thought maybe there was going to be another defender right there in her face and overshot it.

Blocking foul going to be called on miner and Emma will pick up her first.

>> Laura: You got to shuffle your feet, move around defensively, got to get set, and she just did not quite get set.

She knew what she was supposed to do, just didn't get over there quick enough to draw the charge.

>> B.J.

: Jada Podey to the line.

Absolute standout in soccer, able to knock down the free throw.

DC ZBRKS north Polk to go to their bench coming into the game is Sydney Miller.

Also coming into the game is Kaylee Koudelka for north Polk.

>> Laura: Podey, as you mentioned, great soccer player, but she's a versatile soccer player as well.

Can play versatile positions, one spot, two, or three.

It's nice to have that versatility out of one player that knows multiple positions.

>> B.J.

: When north Polk puts tonight pressure, they really crank it up and cause a turnover.

Fitzgerald says, I got you right back.

The hard spin.

Can't get it to fall.

Here's Bickford.

Trying to create space.

Rice at the top.

No.

Aagard will Rick it up in midair.

Now to boatman.

We've got ourselves a race here inside of a minute the play in the first half.

North Polk outscoring DCG, 13-9.

They go to Aagard.

Podey Tom Aagard.

Can't get the shot to fall.

There's a two-second difference between the shot and game clock as we wind down the first half.

North Polk shoot 41% from the field.

Defensive battle here in the opening 16 minutes.

>> Laura: Well, just with their numbers, you knew it was going to be a defensive battle in this championship game, and it has proven that.

It's making -- both these teams making it very difficult to score.

>> B.J.

: Foul going to be called on north Polk.

And that will be against Podey.

That will be her first, the team's fifth.

Here's Reis.

Connects for three!

>> Laura: That's a big buck, as time winds down, and nobody came out with Reis.

Everybody was still kind of looking around.

They lob it inside -- or lob it to Reis up on top and she calmly knock it down.

>> B.J.

: It's a one-point game at intermission.

Let's go Paul Yeager.

>> Thank you, B.J.

and Laura.

Entertaining first half.

We go from 2-2 -- 4-4 is what it was, but close contest.

As we mentioned these two teams know each other, played against each other.

Sometimes that's both an advantage and disadvantage.

Head coach of north Polk is Clint Albertsen, and he'll join us in just a moment.

I guess you're joining us now.

We talked about balance, your scoring.

Nobody has more than five.

Do you like the balanced approach?

Why is that working?

>> This game's going to be a gritty kind of a rock fight here, so it's not so much focused on who's scoring as long as we score.

A few players we'd like to get going more than they are, but these two teams, we know each other well.

I think the offense will pick up a little bit.

We had kids come in and score who didn't if the first two games because we had our leading scorers doing things.

They're going keep that up I hope.

>> You're leading in field goal percentage, in rebounds, free throws but also turnovers.

What do you have to did to correct second half?

>> We have to make sure we get good shots.

We've turned them over, too, but it's just a matter of getting comfortable and not forcing things and taking what's there, so -- >> All right, enjoy halftime.

I appreciate it.

Thanks, coach.

>> Thanks.

>> That's head coach Clint Albertsen.

We talked about the first week of January.

First week of March, will it turn out the same?

We'll find out.

Let's go down to the floor.

This is the pageantry many have been waiting for.

Enjoy the all Iowa dance team.

>> The all Iowa dance team is making its 42nd appearance at the state tournament.

98 teams represented in this year's all-Iowa dance team.

Over 550 dancers auditioned at newton last fall for the 302 positions.

All schools are members of the Iowa State dance team association.

Choreographers are -- the director of the all-Iowa honor dance team is Cathy ENNYARD.

Now, get ready for the greatest show in Iowa.

Ladies and gentlemen, the 2023 all-Iowa honor dance team!

♪ ♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ ♪ ♪♪ >> The 2023, Iowa All-honor dance team.

>> What a treat.

Thank you so much.

Iowa PBS is committed to telling stories about other young Iowans who are doing things and share their stories through a digital series we call "in their words".

Let's meet Isaiah Pickard, the youngest of three who are swimmers.

Confined to a wheelchair, he's become the first Iowan to go to the swim meet in the para swimmer category.

>> I am Isaiah Pickard, and I am a swimmer.

I am 16 years old.

I was born with spina Bifida.

It's a birth defect where the spine envelope does not close properly and this causes damage to the nerves of the spine, which essentially cuts off the messaging that would normally carry the messages to your legs, which would tell to you walk.

So as a result, my legs can't be told to walk.

I have a lot of upper body strength, and I don't have a lot of lower body to haul, so getting in and out of the pool is actually one of the easier parts of practice.

My upper body strength is solely what propels me through the water.

I have been swimming for a long time.

I mean, officially my swimming lessons began when I was like 4, but I joined rec swimming when I was about 7.

The first couple of months and maybe the year were hard, because it's a very different feel, and you got to get used to it, and I have to admit, I wasn't the most buoyant swimmer at first, and I was very afraid of the water.

But I got over that.

I just kept going at it and kept saying, you know what?

I'm going to do this.

I don't care.

And eventually it didn't bother me as much anymore.

I swim for the Indianola high school team.

Some high schools take other schools' teams, so Knoxville actually goes to Indianola for our practices.

I can only compete in the breaststroke and free style because of the rules.

This year I focused exclusively on free style and just trying to perfect and fix that.

The coaches have been a great influence.

Bobby and Jeremy have been great at obviously improving my tech they can in the pool and improving my efficiency, and just in general, you can take the lessons that you learn in here and apply it to life.

My teammates have been incredibly supportive, and some of them have been immensely helpful in improving my technique.

They have really helped me.

Work hard, and no matter how much it suck -- might suck TERCH temporarily, but if you get through it good thing might come out of it.

I was in the state meet in 2022 and 2023.

Yeah, it was a big moment.

Before now, there have been no para swimmers who have gotten their own division and earned the same accolades.

For high school it's a really special honor, and it's amazing.

I love it.

My siblings were also swimmers.

They have been very supportive throughout my whole career.

It's nice because I have had -- many of them have been contemporary along with my career in high school.

I hope to go to college and med school.

I think my own personal experience, that's a big driving force in me wanting to help people with similar problems.

I'm definitely challenging myself and setting goals for myself.

I'm also hoping to get other para swimmers hopefully come along and challenge them.

My biggest piece of advice is bring it.

You've got to want it.

If you want it bad enough, then you can get it.

>> We do hope you are enjoying the halftime pageantry here in Des Moines.

Our coverage, the special features and awards that are brought to you by your statewide broadcast media network, Iowa PBS.

Just a reminder, this extensive high school basketball championship coverage isn't possible without support from viewers like you, so please take a moment to call or go online to support Iowa PBS.

You can also use your GR code at the bottom of the screen.

Your sport enSHURS we can continue this and other essential coverage for generations to come.

Our thanks to you, who continue to support, and we will step away for a moment.

>>> Back here at halftime of this class 4a, and it has been a good one so far.

One-point advantage for north Polk.

But joining us now, Dallas Center-Grimes head coach Adam Jones.

You always say how you're thinking about the next thing.

What are you thinking about now?

>> Offensively we weren't ourself.

We are stagnant.

We need to move the ball more.

Ball wuss sticking too much.

We just need to move the ball more, get some movement offensively.

They kind of took us out of our game, we were off balance trying to get the ball across half-court, and it took us a while to get into what we want to do.

If we can get the ball moving on offense more, we're see more opportunities.

>> You were able to get 33 shots up, but only 33%.

You brought the girls out with seven minutes left.

Was that to get extra shots and confidence?

>> We're not used to 20-minute halftimes.

It's good to have them out here shooting free throws and shots before we go.

>> As you know, every point matters.

Thanks, coach.

>> Thank you.

>> That's Adam Jones, head coach Dallas Center-Grimes as they go for their first state Tatele.

Earlier this week, 4a, one of the teams' players is Brynn storehoff, part of the athletic union student athlete advisory committee.

>> Yeah, that's right.

>> Why did you want to be on that committee?

>> So, I'm really involved in 4h, and they have a thing called state council, but I wasn't really interest in the doing that, so my mom actually came across this, and I thought it was another great way for me to get involved at the state level and participate in opportunities that some smalltown schools don't always get to participate in, like competing at the state tournament.

And just getting to see, like, all the players and the coaches and learn from people who are here.

>> Now, your team was here this week, so you were planning to be here to help with the tournament, because that's part of the committee.

They get to help with the state tournament, things like that.

What was it like to be a player?

>> To be a player, especially for basketball, it was unreal, because this is something we have been working forward to for a long time now.

We have been going from last in our conference to fifth to third to sharing the conference title, and then to finally winning it this year and then qualifying for the first time into core girls basketball history for the first time in 16 years.

It's a huge honor, and I think it was a great way to encourage our younger girls that we can do it in future years and that we can keep rolling.

>> Now, you are busy.

You mentioned 4-H. You mentioned national honor society, the community club.

As you meet with girls from other parts an at state, what have you learned from them that you want to take back to your community and your school?

>> So, just like me they're really busy and participate in a lot of things, but I really -- it's been amazing seeing their passion for sports and the hard work they put into the things they participate in their lives, and that's kind of the energy I want to take back to my teams, my school, my community.

So we can make a difference and in not only sports but all over.

>> You have been great.

It's been fantastic.

You love seeing all work.

It's been fun.

Enjoy.

>> Thanks so much.

>> That is one of the parts of this tournament.

Another is the basketball.

Let's see how the first half shook out when it comes to game highlights.

It was a really good back and forth ball game, and it was a lot of this player, Emma miner.

She did a lot of things.

Hit the winning free throw to get DCG into the finals.

She was going work.

Great post player move and the euro step.

Miner could have seven points.

Even hit from the outside.

There were a couple of good defensive plays in there.

That was becca Aagard.

There's Aagard getting the left hand in.

Izzy McCool, gets a bucket in there.

Here's the Liza Schaffer pass out to Mccool for the three as the clock's winding down in the second quarter.

We now have a look at the first half stats.

Let's go down to B.J.

and Laura for the call.

They'll give us the stats now.

>> B.J.

: Teams pretty much everyone in field goal numbers.

Three-point numbers down and shooting percentages down for both, if you would imagine, coming into this one.

Laura, I think it's been about nerves and the defenses and the fact that these two teams know each other well.

>> I think that's a big part of it that they do know each other well, and I think the other thing to look at, points in the paint.

That is where this game is being played.

They have tried to go inside, whether it's posting up or on the dribble drive.

>> B.J.

: So, so start the second half it's starting five on the floor for DCG.

And for the comets you've got boatman, Schaffer, Tuttle who has two foul as does Mccool and Aagard.

Right away, a bucket by Aubrey Johansen the junior, her first of the game, and it gives DCG their first lead of the contest.

>> Laura: So, not one of the players that usually is their big scorer, but she saw room on the baseline and took it right at the defense.

Able to get it off the glass, and that's a good start.

I think probably something planned as they came out of halftime to get some other people involved in the scoring.

>> B.J.

: Lampe picks up the foul.

North Polk in the opening set outrebounded DCG, 15-12.

How about the first half by the sophomore Becca Aagard?

Was a huge presence.

>> Laura: She was, and you can see she has the assignment.

Now they're switching up top.

She had the assignment initially on Miner and now switches back to her.

>> B.J.

: Rebound to Miner, working against Aagard with the right hook.

Will draw contact, will go to the line.

That foul, I believe -- it's going to be against Schaffer, her first.

>> Laura: Doing a good job of going to the glass, coming in, pulling that down, and then going in with the pump fake, trying to get it up over the top of Aagard.

But able to draw the foul.

>> B.J.

: Miner now with eight.

Has started every game in her high school career.

And this one rolls through.

And DCG now up by three.

For north Polk, you know, had that one-point lead at intermission.

Tuttle looking to make Schaffer.

Aagard can't get it to fall.

Tuttle quick.

Rebound to Miner.

Foul going to be called on Schaffer, her second.

>> Laura: They had a couple of good looks at it, and like the dribble drive and kickout to the perimeter to try to get the bucket, see if they could get something going from the outside, and now you're seeing a little more full court pressure here from North Polk.

>> B.J.

: This is where they had success in that first half.

Johansson to Miner, for three!

>> Laura: Slid over, and saw her make the nice crosscourt pass and knocked down the three.

>> B.J.

: It's been a long time since North Polk scored.

In fact, it was the 3:24 mark of the second quarter.

Let's go to the huddle.

>> We've got execute on offense.

We've got to execute, be confidence, and convert im.

We're one half-court defense.

No second shots, okay?

Communicate.

Here we go, team, one, two, three.

>> Team.

>> Laura: They definitely have to execute, and you can see some deep breaths being blown out by Liza Schaffer.

They just need to react, and a three-pointer that created the call of the time-out there from Emma Miner, nice court vision by Fitzgerald to get that ball across, over the top of the defense, wide open to Miner.

Bothman looking to go to work.

Held to just two.

Here's the bump down to Aagard.

Shafer, a wild shot, and hits it!

>> Laura: Boy, Schaffer, they were trying to run the handoff play, and Miner sniffed it out.

She was right there, beat her to the spot.

But Schaffer able to get it high off the glass.

>> B.J.

: And a foul going to be called on North Polk.

I believe this is going to be against Schaffer.

We'll see.

Yes, it is.

That's her third.

And Bickford will go to the line.

>> Laura: Dribble drive of Bickford inside.

Aagard was right there to get the block.

But Schaffer, a little too aggressive, picks up her third foul.

>> B.J.

: Vanessa now 0 for 2 from the line.

Last spring dealt with a fractured foot and is a very solid track athlete.

Looking for that season to start.

And it will in a couple of weeks.

>> Laura: I think they've already been practicing.

I think some schools have already been out practicing.

So one season kind of turns into the next season if you're a multisport athlete.

>> B.J.

: Lead at five.

Schaffer trying to provide some more offense and does!

>> Laura: She's got that shot down.

That is one that she's practiced a lot.

Knows how to get the angle and the soft touch off the glass.

>> B.J.

: Miner.

Yes.

>> Laura: Miner's just been hanging around out on the perimeter.

She has not gone down low, toeing it up around the arc, and her teammates are finding her.

>> B.J.

: She's got 15, does Emma Miner.

>> Laura: Miner here in this tournament has not really scored a lot of points in quarters.

Only nine points.

In the semi, only five.

She's been held in check until today, the championship game.

>> B.J.

: Boatman gets the bucket.

She's got four.

It's a four-point game in favor of the mustangs.

>> Laura: So boatman having something to say about that, wanting to get her team back into this, keep them within striking distance.

>> B.J.

: Trying to go to miner, and Schaffer will pick up her fourth.

Oh, my.

>> Laura: Well, that's an unfortunate foul on Schaffer.

Kickout to miner, who has all of a sudden gotten hot from the perimeter.

Boatman with the nice little scoop shot up and under.

She and Schaffer have caused some damage here in this quarter.

>> B.J.

: Tuttle with the steal.

Mishandled it.

Now will try to regroup.

Tuttle with the kickout.

The three by Mccool.

Yes, Izzy McCool with her second triple.

One-point game.

>> Laura: Well, when they played earlier way back in November, she had nine points and three rebounds against Dallas Center-Grimes.

They're going to look for her, because they aren't guarding her some get her the ball if she's got the confidence to pull the trigger.

>> B.J.

: And a rebound to Podey who just checked in at that last break.

Also into the game for DCG is Kayla Reis.

Boatman looks to drive on Bickford.

Spins, the stepback.

In and out.

>> Laura: Boy, she hit a couple of those in the quarterfinals, and it was so smooth.

You could tell she had practiced.

That there you go, Aagard right there again with another block.

>> B.J.

: Knocking it down.

Tuttle draws contact, and we'll go to the line.

Miner will pick up the foul.

That's her second.

North Polk now trying to speed it up.

>> Laura: Miner kind of took the brunt of that, as Tuttle leans in, she had a full head of steam taking her right at Miner to challenge her.

>> B.J.

: Abby Tuttle at the line to take down a free throw.

Ashley owen back into the game.

DCG will come back into the game with miller.

As lampe checks out.

>> Laura: Very good free-throw shooting team, 70%, which is number one in 4A, so they step to the line, they're going to cash in.

>> B.J.

: Here's that pressure.

North Polk out front.

Second lead change of the game.

That one up for grabs, and North Polk will come away with it.

Podey, frontcourt left side to Boatman.

MaKayla with her sixth point of the game, and the Colorado Christian signee has put her team up by three.

>> Laura: Well, after that time-out, and you could hear that coach Albertsen said, we've got to be efficient.

We've got to be efficient on offense.

And all of a sudden they settled in, they started running their offense, and then that's also given them a bit of a lift defensively.

>> B.J.

: Here's a dumpdown and a foul will be called against North Polk.

Make that against DCG.

Bickford will pick up the foul.

That's her first.

>> Laura: The offense has been clicking.

Get the steal going the other way, and this is -- you're turning defense into offense.

The dribble drive.

Boatman is so tough that she takes it inside, knows how to take contact and convert.

>> B.J.

: Time-out going to be taken here by Dallas Center-Grimes.

We've got 2:40 to play here in the third quarter.

And comets have come storming back.

Let's take a look and listen inside of the DCG huddle.

>> We got to really move it, back cuts curls off those screens.

Emma, when you get the ball in there, opposite side needs to cut.

We need cutter when Emma gets the ball.

Can't dribble as much.

All right?

Take a deep breath.

We're all right.

Together, one, two, three.

>> Together.

>> Laura: You could hear coach talk about the need to have cutters once Emma Miner gets the ball up top or on the wing.

Got to have some cutters.

Can't stand around and watch her try to score.

Got to give her a little help, a little movement.

Don't let it gut stuck.

You Herod coach about that at halftime, the ball getting slowed down and stuck in some's hand Penn State not moving and they need to continue the get that ball rotating around the defense.

>> B.J.

: North Polk will attack inside, and they get a bucket out of Izzy McCool, who's now in double figures with ten.

>> Laura: And if you're DCG, you can't panic.

You've got a lot of time still, and you can just go ahead and run your offense, get a bucket.

That's going to take some of the pressure off.

>> B.J.

: Here's Reis.

Bickford with the kickout.

Reset it up here.

Now the shot clock inside of eight.

Miner.

Inside.

And how about that shot?

Knocked down by Aubrey Johansen her second bucket of the game.

That's a big shot there for the mustangs.

>> Laura: That is.

That's one that they needed to kind of get things and restore order for them on the offensive end.

>> B.J.

: Here's boatman.

And a blocking foul going to be called on the mustangs.

>> Laura: Miner was right there.

Looked like she had her hands on top of the ball to get the block, but they're also going to say she got her on the body.

>> B.J.

: For Miner, that will be her third.

Each team with four fouls here in the second half.

Here's Tuttle.

Can't get it.

Miner with the rebound.

>> Laura: Boy, really nice play, though, and that's what happens when you continually move on offense and make those cuts -- your teammates are going to find you.

Got a nice backdoor cut.

Just couldn't get it to go through the hoop.

>> B.J.

: 1:20 to play.

Bickford with the kick out to Reis.

She's a three-point specialist.

Johansson.

And a foul before she can get the shot off.

>> Laura: A lot of attention being paid to other players on the court, so Johansen starting to step up and make things happen.

>> B.J.

: Dallas Center-Grimes out of the little hawkeye conference.

They've won it three years in a row.

North Polk, even though they're close to them play in the raccoon conference.

That shot swatted away by North Polk.

>> Laura: Right idea to go inside, but you have Aagard right there, and miller realized it once she got it inside, needed to kick that one back out.

>> B.J.

: Foul.

North Polk will pick up their team's fifth.

Or make it their sixth.

That goes against Izzy McCool.

That will be her third.

So a couple of comets in trouble.

Shave of with four.

Mccool now with three.

And the mustangs, just about a half second difference between the shot and game clock, but guess who doesn't care?

Vanessa Bickford knocks down her first triple of the game to tie it up with the 32.

>> Laura: Johansen was the one that took it in and saw what happened the time before with Aagard right there ready to block the shot.

She got up in the air and fired it back out to Bickford who calmly knocked it down.

>> B.J.

: Tuttle!

Can't get it!

And a foul going to be called on North Polk and it's one and one time.

Bonus time for DCG.

Let's see who's shooting here.

>> Laura: Always impressed after coach call a time-out, talks to his team, gets them calmed down and how they respond.

That's what both teams have done.

Coach Albertsen called a time-out early in the third quarter.

Team got ahead.

Coach Jones called one, got his team back refocussed and they've gotten it back to where it's tied.

Emma Miner to the line to get free throws to get the lead heading into the fourth quarter.

>> B.J.

: Jada Podey picked up that foul.

That's her second.

Miner.

Gets the first.

They've got time does North Polk.

Here's Tuttle.

The long heave going to be well short.

That will be it through three quarter os of play, Dallas Center-Grimes has a 33-32 lead over North Polk.

It was competitive.

The first time these two teams played in the regular season.

We didn't expect anything different and we're seeing that right now.

>> Laura: This game earlier in the year went into overtime.

I think it may come down that here in this ball game.

Team have been able to jump out to a little bit of a lead.

The other team has come back and battled back.

That's where we are now.

I think you're going see it go back and forth the rest of the this ball game.

>> B.J.

: Fouls starting to mount on North Polk.

What's going to be the difference for both teams?

>> Laura: I think you change the mind set a little bit.

Continue to go inside, maybe get them in more foul trouble so guck get to the free-throw line, take advantage of that.

I think maybe you're going to see a little more inside out, maybe three-point shots.

We haven't seen a loft them in this ball game, but may come down to the perimeter game.

>> B.J.

: Here we go, the final eight minutes.

It's North Polk and Dallas Center-Grimes for the class 4a championship.

As each team will have their starting five on the floor.

You can stay connected with Iowa PBS sports no matter where you're watching from.

Follow us on twitter and use the #Iowa PBS sports to -- the championship with other friends.

Here we go.

Tuttle.

And North Polk will have the ball to begin the fourth quarter.

Schaffer playing with those four foul, and she's really been the cat let's here in the second half along with Bothman.

Taking one for the team is Kileigh Lachacz.

>> Laura: They switched up defensively.

Boatman tries to find the gap in the zone.

Lachacz right there, anticipated it and settled nicely for the charge.

>> B.J.

: Lachacz, a standout track performer.

Will go UNI next year to throw the shot and discus.

And that time showed her basketball skills defensively.

DCG by one here.

Fitzgerald in the paint.

Can't get it to fall.

Rebound to Johansen, and a time-out here taken by the mustangs.

Adam Jones said you know what?

so let's burn one right here.

>> Laura: Every possession is important here in this fourth quarter in the one-point ball game, but I'm going tell you what, Aubrey Johansen is having quite a game doing the little stuff.

>> B.J.

: Schools that make at to the state basketball tournament may get their own special T-shirt designs.

The girls athletic union asked them to bring shirts to the state tournament to play backstage as players and coaches pass by.

After all this year's games, after they're finished, the shirts are going to be donated to charity, just something, another little wrinkle that makes it special here at the girls basketball state tournament.

33-32.

7:14 to play.

After the time-out, this one's going to be thrown in backcourt.

And Fitzgerald able to retrieve it.

North Polk showing zone.

>> Laura: They're going to extend it right where Bickford cut.

If they're going to come out the top part of the zone, you can shoot somebody right in there, be ready to shoot it when you receive it.

>> B.J.

: Lampe from the wing.

Yes!

>> Laura: 72% of her shots come from beyond the arc.

She's been quiet up until this point, and she let that one fly.

>> B.J.

: Time-out going to be taken by North Polk.

Dallas Center-Grimes is crushing it from three-point range here in the second half.

That's their fourth made three.

Let's listen to the comments.

>> Laura: We're going to go side-out, okay?

Let's run butler.

We're running butler.

Side-out.

Running butler right now, run that play.

Ifs 1-2-2, run the DOS play.

If it's 1-2-2, D a, S play.

Man on "D," get matched up.

No second shots.

Team, one, two, three.

>> B.J.

: What do you think?

>> Laura: They're going back man on defense.

They thought if they saw a certain defense they have a play they're going to run out of bounds hopefully to get them a good look and quick hit off the sideline play.

Albertsen in his tenth year.

Been with the North Polk school district for 16 years.

Looking to drive.

Tuttle.

And a block's going to be call on Finley Fitzgerald.

That will be her second.

>> Laura: Coach Albertsen took over for Rick dillinger, whose daughter is on this North Polk team, and Rick dillinger coming back to coach softball, long-time coach at North Polk as well as ADM for a few years.

Went on to the university of Iowa to help coach over there and has decided to come back to North Polk and head up the girls softball team.

We're happy to have him back in the area.

>> B.J.

: Tuttle knocks down one.

Gets the second.

She's perfect from the line here this afternoon.

4 of 4.

Has six points.

And it's a two-point mustang lead.

Lampe again from three.

And hits!

>> Laura: Boy, Josie Lampe.

Just very quiet all game long.

Does all the little dirty work but has stepped out and knocked down a couple of threes.

How about Boatman coming back with the answer.

>> B.J.

: Over a thousand points in her career.

Would have had more this year but had the flu.

She's got her team within three.

Can the comets get a stop here?

Johansen's shot.

High arcer.

Can't get it to fall.

Meyer foul on the rebound by Aagard who will pick up her first.

>> Laura: They got a three on one, Josie Lampe.

Dribble drive.

Puts her head down, get it off the glass.

>> B.J.

: Miner to the line.

Single bonus still.

Unable to knock it down.

Emma Miner hitting the emotional free throw to elevate here team to the championship.

She was overcome we motion in the postgame.

>> Laura: That's how much this means those players, the opportunity to get to play for a state title.

All she needed to do was knock down one, and she did it.

>> B.J.

: Tuttle.

Tough shot.

Can't get it.

Aagard will clean it up.

>> Laura: Offensive glass.

Put the ball above her head, got it off the glass.

Bickford.

Working on Aagard.

Now will kick it out.

Lampe, who's had the hot hand from the perimeter here in the second half.

Here's Fitzgerald.

They're all falling.

>> Laura: Starting to heat up from the outside.

That is what has really picked thumb help here in the fourth quarter.

All started with one from Lampe, and then they all started to knock them down.

>> B.J.

: DCG with their largest lead at six.

North Polk trying to come up with an answer.

Mccool finds Tuttle.

Foul going to be called on Fitzgerald.

That will be her third.

>> Laura: There have been a couple people knocked them down from the corner.

Fitzgerald looks like she's going to pass it out.

Instead, eyes to the rim, let it fly.

>> B.J.

: Tuttle to the line.

And when you look at foul trouble, each team is starting to see some -- Izzy McCool has three.

And for the mustangs, Miner and Fitzgerald have three each.

Time-out burned by North Polk.

They'll be left with two remaining let's go inside a that huddle and take a listen.

>> This possession right now, we're 84 defense, okay?

84.

Get them turned.

Get a trap, come up and you're the safety.

No second shots, all right?

Offensively, okay, let's go regular four out.

Okay, regular four out, you're in.

Okay?

Drive and kick it, we get open looks, let's knock some threes down.

Got to get a stop.

We're going 84 right now, turn them over.

Team, one, two, three.

>> Laura: They're going to take some chances here defensively and see if they can get a trap or a steal.

With about 4:30 to go in this ball game you got to make some changes.

You got the make some things happen.

And yes, you do have a little foul troubling but be smart about it.

You could hear, get them turned and then get some backside help, see if you can get the trap and turnover.

>> B.J.

: Well, we've got the 4A championship here.

Two more state championships coming up.

Class 2a after this one.

It's a remime from last year.

Dike New hartford.

Foul called on North Polk.

That's going to be the tenth team foul on the comets.

And Schaffer is going to pick up the foul, and that is going to be it for Liz Schaffer.

Tuttle was trying to plead her case that it was her and not Schaffer.

Now let's see if Scott Giles and the crew get together to discuss.

It's going to be on Tuttle.

Liza Schaffer will remain in the game.

>> Laura: Everybody breathes a sigh of relief as Schaffer was just standing there on the free-throw line.

She's like, I'm not leaving this game.

That foul was not on me.

>> B.J.

: And Tuttle going to one of the other officials was a great job of -- >> Laura: Team work.

That's team work.

Got to keep your scorers in the ball game as Tuttle averages 11 points a game, Schaffer ten, Boatman, 17.

>> B.J.

: Couple after rare misses by Fitzgerald, and north Polk by four.

Left it just short.

>> Laura: Had a good look.

Maybe just a little tight on that shot.

Didn't get the leg drive on that to get it up over the rim.

>> B.J.

: Each team in the bonus the rest an at way.

>> Laura: This is where Dallas Center-Grimes going to take time, work the clock like they did in the first quarter.

>> B.J.

: Looking to drive.

Can't get the shot to fall.

And North Polk needing a basket on the possession.

>> Laura: They don't necessarily need the three.

>> B.J.

: Boatman can't get it.

Aguard cleans it up!

>> Laura: Two huge offensive rebounds by Aagard.

Clean it up, get them two points closer.

>> B.J.

: Fitzgerald tried to take her off the bounce.

Now the kickout.

And a foul will be called on Aagard.

>> Laura: Boatman going to go inside with the crossover dribble.

And just fighting for position was Aagard.

Just got into the right spot, got the putback.

She has come up big here in this tournament.

>> B.J.

: Fitzgerald, a 71% free-throw shooter, able to knock down her first here.

And in fact will be playing college basketball next year.

Still undecided.

Misses the second.

>> Laura: Yeah, she's had a couple of offers and just has not made that decision yet.

But somebody's going to get a good one when they sign her.

>> B.J.

: Inside of 2:50 to play.

Three-point game.

>> Laura: Again, you don't need the three, you still have a lot of time.

So get the high percentage shot.

>> B.J.

: Boatman in the paint.

And Lampe will clear it.

>> Laura: Boatman has been so good with that stepback jumper.

Had the hands in face, so a very difficult shot.

>> B.J.

: And we're going to get a time taken here by Adam Jones and Dallas Center-Grimes.

They've got two time-outs remaining.

2:21 to play.

Let's go to their huddle.

>> Hey, listen to me.

Sit, sit, sit.

We got to rebound, we got to rebound, we got to rebound.

We're going to run dragons.

>> Let's play together.

>> Is Aagard guarding you?

I don't want you.

I don't want billy to be the back cutter.

We're going to run it.

You be the back cut.

On dragons, do you know what you're doing?

Okay, we're going to run dragons.

Get in right away.

Do not throw a one-handed pass.

Two-handed pass.

Here, listen, if it doesn't work, if the ball misses, clear it out -- yeah, you guys -- you'll be down here.

>> I'm going to be down here.

>> Pass.

Okay?

Pass.

Switch spots, and then cut through.

All right?

Okay?

Cut through.

Got it?

Together, one, two, three.

>> Together.

>> Clear out and free throws.

>> Laura: Well, they're looking to get a backdoor cut, see if they can get a quick hit.

And I like the fact that he said two-handed pass.

Do not try to throw that one-handed pass inside on the back cut.

>> B.J.

: Each team with their starting five on the floor.

They've primarily gone this way here for most of the second half.

For the mustangs, Bickford, Johansen, lampe and Miner.

Here's Bickford.

I'm not sure that one hit rim.

>> Laura: I don't think it hit rim either, and I think it would have been North Polk's fault either way, so they keep playing.

>> B.J.

: Still a three-point game.

Mccool working on lampe.

Yes.

>> Laura: Mccool with the nice behind the back dribble, she's kind of isolated over there one-on-one.

Little fadeaway off the glass.

Big bucket.

>> B.J.

: She has 12 in the game.

And decision.

It's going to stay with DCG.

24 on the shot clock.

>> Laura: One-on-one right here, isolated, behind the back, and then step and reverse pivot.

They cleared a whole side over there for Mccool.

>> B.J.

: Shot clock starting to wind down.

North Polk back to a zone.

Here's Miner working on Aagard.

Spins back to her left and a foul will be called on Aagard.

That will be her third.

>> Laura: We have seen Miner do that a lot.

Steps through.

Gets the contact from Aagard.

Miner, you mentioned over a thousand points in her career.

Probably could have had a lot more, but she's an unselfish type player.

She's willing to hand out the assists, get her teammates involved.

It's been a nice career, and St. Thomas is going to get a really good basketball player.

>> B.J.

: Emma Miner trying to find a way to get her team a state championship.

She has 19.

It's a two-point game as we're nearing the minute mark to play.

Boatman working on Bickford.

Oh, got the quick step and the bucket, and we're tied!

>> Laura: Boy, Bickford right there is just a little hesitation dribble by Boatman, and she slides through two defenders.

One heck of a move.

>> B.J.

: Tied at 46.

Each team with two time-outs remaining.

Possession arrow is leaning towards Dallas Center-Grimes.

About a 15-second difference between the shot and game clock.

Can't get the pass.

Boatman intercepts it.

Let's see if North Polk holds for one.

They're going to take a time-out.

It will be a full time-out.

16 seconds to play in regulation, and the 4A state championship game, and North Polk taking a time-out here.

>> Laura: Well, no fouls to give on either side, so next one for Dallas Center-Grimes is going to put North Polk into the bonus, so you've got to play really solid defense here.

>> B.J.

: Let's listen to North Polk.

>> We are running bison.

We're going to go in.

We're taking the last shot, okay, with about eight on the clock.

Run bison with about eight on the clock.

Run bison.

>> If we do not score, we can't go over the back.

Don't get fouled 90 feet away.

>> Eight seconds, then run the play.

Be ready for an offensive rebound.

Be ready for an offensive rebound.

Team, one, two, three.

>> B.J.

: Okay, Laura.

>> Laura: We get a chance to see what bison is.

They're going to hold it for eight seconds and then they're going to start running their play with eight seconds left on the clock.

And I think really great advice as well.

If the shot doesn't go in, don't go over anybody's back.

Don't foul 95 feet away from the basket.

>> B.J.

: Time-out again here by North Polk.

And that will be their final time-out with 15.7 to play.

>> They're going to call a zone play now, all right?

We're going to stay in their zone.

Matchup.

We're going to go man.

I have a feeling they're going to either one this play.

They're going run that play where the ball comes around be they come back to McCool right here, okay?

All right?

So be ready, be ready to help.

Otherwise they're going to run four opposite screens, okay?

Double screens, and she's going to go one-on-one.

You got to be ready to step in and take a charge.

Okay?

She doesn't have to catch it.

One shot, rebound, call a time-out right away.

You get a rebound, call a time-out, all right?

Together, one, two, three.

>> B.J.

: We really appreciate the fact that the coaches allow us, not only here at the table, but you at home to listen in to hear what's going on in the huddle.

You hear the strategy.

It's been simply amazing.

Let's see how North Polk will line it up.

>> Laura: So they're keeping an eye on McCool and Boatman defensively.

Let's see if North Polk goes to either one of them.

>> B.J.

: Each team going for their first ever state championship.

Tuttle.

Goes to McCool.

For a title.

Can't get it!

And the rebound tied up and, that's the end of regulation.

We are headed to overtime.

After the officials make sure there was not a time-out taken by DCG.

And that's it.

We're headed the overtime.

How about that?

In the regular season it went to overtime with Dallas Center-Grimes winning.

You know what?

Replaying it again, here in March.

>> Laura: Start the season with an overtime game, you end the season with an overtime game against the same opponent.

And what about coach Adam Jones?

He said, I have a feeling they're going to look to McCool be get her the basketball, and that's exactly what they did.

She had a good look, made a nice move.

Just wouldn't fall for her.

>> B.J.

: It's the top two teams in 4A, seeded one, seeded second going head-to-head here this afternoon.

And, yeah, you can tell, it's a little intense here at wells Fargo arena.

Why not?

It's for the state 4A championship.

About ready to begin the first overtime.

And there is foul trouble for each of these two teams.

You've got Liz Schaffer playing with four fouls.

Izzy McCool with three, along with Becca Aagard.

Finley -- Miner with three each.

>> Laura: North Polk in more foul trouble than Dallas Center-Grimes, but going to have to leave it all out on the floor.

I know that's a cliche, but I'm telling you right now, these four minutes, you play as hard as you have ever played in your entire life.

>> B.J.

: Now, didn't we say class 4A was the most competitive all season long?

>> Laura: We did.

>> B.J.

: Expect nothing less than overtime.

Here's five on each floor.

For the mustangs, Bickford, Johansen -- Lampe and Miner.

Tip it in overtime.

Belongs to Dallas Center-Grimes.

Let's see who gets that most important bucket.

The first one to begin the overtime.

That usually breaks the ice.

>> Laura: Yeah, that's usually important, you get the first points of the overtime, because you know both of these teams, a little anxious, a little tight.

But a great slip by Johansen.

Slips off of the screen, and a nice feed leading her right to the hoop.

>> B.J.

: Bickford for their fourth assist here at this championship game.

And the mustangs have the lead.

>> Laura: And that's usually what she does.

She averages right around 4 four assists a game.

She's a nice facilitator up top for this team.

>> B.J.

: Now Boatman.

The kick out.

Schaffer for three.

Yes!

>> Laura: Liza Schaffer with somebody in her face, and that somebody was Emma Miner.

That's a tough, tough three-pointer.

>> B.J.

: Are you not entertained?

Back and forth.

Here we go.

Miner.

Now to Lampe.

Can't get the answer.

Aagard with the rebound.

>> Laura: Lampe had a good look, but she also had somebody flying at her.

They were trying to look for that backdoor cut.

>> B.J.

: Foul going to be called on Fitzgerald.

She had a hand on Tuttle.

Finley will pick up her fourth and North Polk will goth line to with abby Tuttle.

>> Laura: Talk about how good these defenses are, but you can see Schaffer staying rite on top and defense flying at her.

That's so hard to keep your concentration when you have somebody flying in your face.

>> B.J.

: Tuttle with her first miss of the afternoon.

Mustangs with an opportunity to regain the lead.

Miner.

They're going to work some offense here.

Fitzgerald picked up her dribble.

Find Lampe.

Now Miner will launch.

And hit!

>> Laura: Very patient set for DCG.

They were able to pop Miner open up top, and she knew it right away that she was going to pull that rebound or pull that shot and knock it down.

>> B.J.

: 22 points for Emma Miner, and now will be coming back down to the other end to shoot free throws as she was fouled on the rebound.

>> Laura: They swing the ball, and they're able to set a screen and pop Miner open for the big three-pointer.

>> B.J.

: And that is a big foul as Becca Aagard picks up her fifth and will have to exit stage right.

>> Laura: Telling you what, though -- she had a huge impact in this ball game, 11 rebounds and 6 points and at least 3 or 4 blocks that I can think of.

>> B.J.

: So Podey will come back into the game.

Miner hits the free throw.

Still a one-possession game with 3:45 the play.

>> Laura: If you get the look from the perimeter, go ahead and take it.

If not, go inside, get a two-pointer.

>> B.J.

: Miner will pick up the foul.

That will be her fourth.

That will put North Polk at the line.

Jada Podey, 60% free-throw shooter on the season.

Today perfect in each of the free throws she shot.

Misses the front end of the one and one.

>> Laura: Now you can take a little more time.

>> B.J.

: Time-out going to be taken in the overtime.

Each team gets a additional time-out.

Two left now for Dallas Center-Grimes as we go to their huddle and listen in.

>> Okay, we got one time-out, all right?

Now, we're not in a foul situation.

This is straight up defense, get a stop, okay?

Offensively we're going to run green, okay, we're going to run green.

You two on the one side, okay?

You two are over here, mac and Liza.

Izzy, abby, Jada, okay?

Liza's screen, look for her coming off that.

Izzy, you're setting.

If she attacks drop it off or finish it.

Now, when we get a stop, we'll see what the time is.

We'll probably just -- >> Becca, we got to get a rebound.

Five to the glass.

Five to the glass.

>> Team, one, two, three.

>> Laura: They're in attack mode.

They're going to try to go inside.

They're going to have players on the wing.

See if they can get the good angle from the wing on the dribble drive.

And then you could hear them say, go to the glass, they don't have Aagard in there.

So they really have to crash the glass.

>> B.J.

: So Miner will put it in play to Bickford.

Kayla Reis into the game, handling the ball right now.

Again, being very patient.

Will get down to ten on the shot clock.

It's winding down.

Fitzgerald on the attack and gets the big bucket!

Now it's a two-possession game.

North Polk must hurry.

>> Laura: Got to score quickly here.

>> B.J.

: Boatman working on Bickford.

The at shot, can't get it to fall, and Tuttle with the foul.

And that will put the mustangs down to shoot free throws on the other end.

>> Laura: Boatman worked quickly.

She's knock a few of those down in this ball game and could not connect on that one, and they get the foul over the top.

That's going to put Lampe on the free-throw line.

>> B.J.

: Lampe, a couple of big threes in the second half.

But at the free-throw line it's been an adventure for her this season, right at 30%.

>> Laura: Everybody coming over to talk to her, get her calm down a little bit.

If you're North Polk you need to box out, don't give up an offensive rebound.

>> B.J.

: Lampe's second free throw, not there, and the rebound to North Polk.

Still down by five.

Under 50 to play.

Here's Tuttle on the block.

Pump cakes.

Goes back left.

Can't get it to fall.

Sophomore lost it.

Podey out to Boatman.

Schaffer at the top.

Not there, and the rebound to Lampe and they'll foul her immediately as Tuttle will pick up the foul.

And that will be it for Abby Tuttle.

>> Laura: Had a look at it, Tuttle did.

Then they had a couple of other looks at it, as they got the offensive glass.

And she had the foul right away.

At this point you can't pick and choose who you're going to foul, but she did get Lampe to the line, who has struggled at times this year.

>> B.J.

: So, the two sophomores who have guided the comets today,le today, Tuttle and Aagard out.

Lampe able to connect on the free throw.

Now, this is where it's a big free throw, trying to make it a three-possession game.

Still two-possession game.

But it's got to be threes for North Polk.

Boatman will launch.

Can't get it to fall.

McCool with the putback.

Not there.

Time winding down here.

As Schaffer will be in the paint.

Can't get the shot to fall.

And a foul going to be called on North Polk as this goes against Jada Podey.

I beg your pardon.

And that's going to be -- I beg your pardon, that's against Dallas Center-Grimes, and that's Emma Miner.

She's going to check out of the game.

What a huge day today for her for 23 points for Miner.

>> Laura: 12 rebounds as well.

4 of 8 from three-point range.

So she did it at all levels.

>> B.J.

: Benefit here.

Podey to the line.

On that rebound, wasn't quite sure where that foul was going to be called.

Clarified.

Podey, three of four.

Clock stopped.

Misses the free throw.

Schaffer with the rebound, and charge will be called against Liza Schaffer, and that will be it for her, and Dallas Center-Grimes starting to celebrate here with 7.8 to play.

>> Laura: Boy, what great hustle, though, by shaver to get that offensive rebound.

Tried to go and get another quick score, and the and one to, get them a little closer.

And instead, she gets called for the charge.

>> B.J.

: Time-out taken by Dallas Center-Grimes with 7.8 to play and a five-point lead.

And they'll have the ball coming out of the time-out.

>> The ball, get at the free-throw line.

When they catch it, you trap them and get a steal, okay?

We got to two get a steal, get a shot up.

We don't, we got to foul, all right?

If we don't we got to foul.

Let's go, finish it.

Team, one, two, three.

>> Laura: Going to get the quick foul, extend this game as much as possible.

Cannot let a whole lot of time run off this clock.

Put them on the line, hope they miss, come down.

But there's not a whole lot of time left.

You still need a couple of shots.

>> B.J.

: Comets sensing the moment here.

And for DCG, this is a team that has been the top seed the last three seasons.

They lost in the semifinals a year ago.

Lost in four overtimes to the eventual champion, cedar rapids-Xavier.

Today trying to win their first ever school championship.

Launch ahead for Bickford.

Winding down.

They're going to hold on to it.

Foul will be called with 3.2 to play as Aubrey Johansen will goth line.

>> Laura: Nice setup.

Had everybody up right on the baseline, and then sent Bickford deep.

That used a lot of clock as she wasn't able to pull it in.

That ball rolled around for a little bit until the foul was called.

>> B.J.

: So, each team able to send out their seniors.

MaKayla Boatman, what a career she's had.

Over 1,000 career points.

As Johansen knocks them both down, and Dallas Center-Grimes is going to do what they did in the first game of the year -- knock down North Polk in overtime, and this one's for their first ever championship!

Boy, what a win for Dallas Center-Grimes here today, outlasting North Polk.

>> Laura: We talked about the fact that they went overtime in their first meeting.

They outscored North Polk 9-0 in that overtime and this time, 10-4.

This a just had a little bit more to be able to get over the hump in those extra four minutes.

>> B.J.

: What a game, what a final in class 4A.

Again, Dallas Center-Grimes winning their first ever championship in girls basketball.

And getting it done against North Polk here, 57-50 in overtime.

What a game.

>> Laura: It was a great game, and, you know, we keep saying, we talked about it all season long how class 4A had so many good teams and so many good tough competitors.

>> B.J.

: Let's turn it over to Tim Fitzpatrick.

>> Class 4A all tournament team.

Presenting the awards is Brett Johnson, president of the Iowa farm bureau.

Joining him are members of the IGHSU board of directors.

Rus Adams.

Jim beamer, Jennifer Donalds, Ron and Travis fleshnor.

Here is your 4A team, from Dallas Center-Grimes, Emma Miner.

From North Polk, Liza Schaffer.

From Ballard, Aliyah Thompson.

From bishop heelen, Brooklyn Stanley.

From North Polk, MaKayla Boatman.

captain, from Dallas Center-Grimes, Vanessa Bickford!

>> B.J.

: There's your all-tournament team for class 4A.

Highlighted by Vanessa Bickford, your all-tournament team captain.

What a group.

>> Laura: A really good group, and they all played so hard and put a great 4A tournament here all week long the games have been so good, and Vanessa Bickford, who leads her team in a lot of different ways and averages close to 9 points a game, lead them in assists, is kind of their floor general out there.

She's that pass first mentality.

Unselfish type of player.

But had a big, big tournament and is the all-tournament captain.

>> Would like to present the top producer award for the 4A championship game, presenting the award is Taylor Anderson from the athletic union.

This year's top producer of the 4A championship game, from Dallas Center-Grimes, Emma Miner.

>> B.J.

: Double-double in the championship for Emma Miner.

20 points, 12 rebounds.

>> Laura: Kind of been held in check in this tournament.

Nine points in the quarters, five in the semis.

>> Class 4A runner up, let's give it up for Clint Albertsen and the comets of North Polk.

And now presenting your 2023 class 4A champions, the mustangs of Dallas Center-Grimes, head coach Adam Jones.

>> B.J.

: Congratulations to Dallas Center-Grimes, winning their school's first ever championship, besting North Polk in overtime, 57-50.

>> Laura: Quite a game, and quite a performance from both of these teams.

They had a lot of players step up, and some players that maybe you wouldn't expect stepped up in this ball game.

And what a nice way to end this 4A season.

DCG goes out as the the champion.

>> B.J.

: Let's go to Paul Yeager who's standing by.

Paul?

>> Thank you very much, B.J.

and Laura.

Great job as always.

Our first overtime game of the tournament was right there in class 4A.

Emma Miner, B.J.

talked about it, overcome we motion after she hit the game winning three in the semis.

I can only imagine what's going through her mind now be the rest of the team.

Congratulations to Dallas Center-Grimes and North Polk for a great 4A game.

But guess what?

We're just getting started.

One game down, and we have two more to go here on Iowa PBS in your girls state basketball tripleheader.

Who will be crowned the champion in 2A and 1A?

2A, game two coming your way soon on Iowa PBS.

Thank you very much for watching.

So long for just a while.

>>> You're watching live coverage of the girl's state basketball championship on Iowa PBS.

Stay tuned.