>>> Funding provided by -- >> We're an Iowa company that lights schools, stadiums and venues in more than 125 countries.

While our reach is global, our commitment is local.

>>> And by -- Fairway meat and grocery.

For more than 80 years, fairway has been proud to be an active part of the communities we serve.

Learn more at fairway.com.

♪♪ >>> Welcome to the downtown Des Moines and inside of wells Fargo arena.

We will do three titles tomorrow, here, on Iowa pbs.

We're all cheered up.

Pom-poms are flowing.

Adrenaline is rushing.

I'm Paul Yeager, as we dive into day one of our coverage.

Pbs will bring you highlights and features from right here on our onsite sports desk, perched above the action.

Let's go courtside for the call of the 5a state championship.

>> Let's go.

It's time for state championship basketball.

First up, the class 5a title game.

A metro league showdown.

The third seed, takes on unen and number one seed.

This is going to be part three in the series between these two, this year.

>> Yeah.

Dowling has lost twice to Johnston.

And Johnston has won their handling.

The second game was a low scoring game.

Expecting that here tonight.

I think Dowling's defense has improved.

Johnston is a tough machine to shut down.

>> There's going to be stars among stars.

Let's look at the two teams and how they got here for Dowling Catholic.

The golding anniversary.

The 25th trip to state.

They have won 19 of the last 20.

And the stars for Johnston.

Look at this.

Tenth trip to state.

They have stars hitting the floor tonight.

>> That's a tough lineup.

To shut down one, you have to shut down all five.

>> Let's go to the public address announcer to get introduced to these teams.

>> Dowling Catholic fans, let's hear for your maroons!

♪♪ >> Johnston fans, let's hear it for your dragons.

♪♪ ♪♪ >>> Fans, it's time to introduce the players in tonight's championship match-up.

First, the nonstarters for the Dowling Catholic maroons.

Sadie Reinhardt.

Kaley Klein.

Maddie rice.

Emma Hazel.

And number 33, Macy Harnden.

Number 35, Nellie Johnson.

And number 41, Sophia Anthony-Bode.

And the assistant coaches for Dowling Catholic, are Joel Danner, Audrey Faber, Tom Donahue, Lisa Smith, Jonathan vanderah and Logan Greiner.

And now, let's meet the nonstarters for the Johnston dragons.

Number 2, Isabella BALZly.

Number 4, Sidny Pohlman.

Number 12, Kamryn Jilek.

Number 14, Ari Phillips.

Number 20, aDiya Phillips.

Number 24, Averie Ryan.

Number 32, Rubie Pohlman.

Number 34, emma gray.

And number 40, Kiya Hood.

The assistant coaches for Johnston are mark Hein, Jenny cook and brad buChan.

♪♪ And now, ladies and gentlemen, are you ready for tonight's starting lineups?

[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] For Dowling Catholic at forward, a 5'10" junior, number 5, Ellie Olson.

And for Johnston at guard, number 10, Jenica Lewis.

For Dowling Catholic at guard, a 5'11" freshman, number 11, Katie Muller.

And for Johnston at guard, a 5'9" senior, number 22, Aaliyah Riley.

♪♪ For Dowling Catholic at guard, a 5'10" junior, number 13, Ava Zediker.

And for Johnston at guard, a 5'6" sophomore, number 23, Jaliyah Kinnetz.

For guard, number 15, Layla Trytten.

And for number 30, Ali Tanke.

And for Dowling Catholic, Ellie Muller.

And for Johnston at forward, a 6'1" junior, number 42, Amani Jenkins.

The head coach for Dowling Catholic is Kristin Meyer, and the head coach for Johnston, is Chad Jilek.

♪♪ Welcome Dowling Catholic and Johnston to the 2024 5a state championship.

>> All right.

Here we go.

Dowling Catholic, what are the keys to the game?

>> What the maroons need to do is force them into tough shots.

Make them uncomfortable from the perimeter.

Really limit the sight lines to getting the ball inside.

And they need to limit the number of turnovers in the regular season.

Last game against Johnston, they had 23 turnovers.

Can't have that, in this ball game.

And for the dragons, it's one and done.

Allow one shot, clean the glass, start going the other way.

That leads into the next key, get out and run.

They want to run, that's when they're at their best.

Get out and get easy points.

>> Johnston making the fifth-straight state championship appearance, which is the most consecutive appearances in the title game.

And for Dowling Catholic, trying to win the first title they get things going with Zediker.

Trytten, off the mark.

And it's going to come down to Aili Tanke.

That's Zediker.

To the side, the layup, too strong.

There's a lot of juice in the building, folks.

>> There is.

You can tell, by the way the players are getting up and down the floor.

The way Zediker exploded to get that block.

>> Dowling won the tight until 2024, where they beat southeast Polk.

Kinnetz is rising up.

The 5'10" junior bringing it ahead.

Going to be going ahead to play collegiate basketball at Creighton.

Just a junior.

Going to be double-teamed by Tanke and Riley.

A foul going to be called on Kinnetz, the sophomore.

>> What Johnston wants to do, put pressure on Zediker.

They came out to try to double-team and pinch as much as they could in the corner on that half-court line.

You know you have to step to every pass.

This defense is going to come after you.

>> Putting it on the deck.

Muller for three.

The first bucket of the ball game.

Ellie Muller, the sophomore, able to connect.

>> Shooting 34% beyond the arc.

Plays in the interior.

>> Tanke, going to give it to Kinnetz.

Now, the skip pass to Riley for three.

Can't get the answer.

And the rebound to Katelyn Muller, the freshman.

>> Talked about the fact that these two teams met up earlier in the regular season.

You have a lot of game film.

You know tendencies and what you need to do against certain personnel.

>> Zediker will reset.

Guarded by Riley.

Avoids the double-team.

Now, gives way to Olson.

Ten on the shot clock.

As the maroons get to work.

Going to be fouled with two seconds left.

>> You get them down late in the shot clock.

And a little bailout foul, able to stay on the hip of Zediker.

Lewis leans in.

Bodies up and gets a foul.

>> Zediker to the line.

81% on the season.

Able to knock down the free throw for her first point.

In his 20th season overall, 256 wins.

As Zediker hits both free throws.

>> This season, they went back and looked at the game film.

We need to do things to become a more cohesive team.

They've done a lot of team bonding and work together to have the camaraderie and the cohesiveness.

It's worked well for them.

This group, for Johnston, is very close.

Plays very well together.

Johnston can slap it on you.

Under 30% shooting.

Muller, at the side of the backboard.

The shot clock continues on.

Down to two.

Will hoist it up.

And the rebound to Amani Jenkins.

>> The defense is on tonight for Johnston.

They're doing a good job of frustrating the maroons.

There's a look at tank can I.

What she can do with a jumper in the lane.

>> Smarting after the last game against Dowling.

She was held to a season-low of three-points.

Zediker, going to be tied up Riley.

Will give it to Johnston.

>> Coach Jilek said a lot of times or sometimes during the regular season, we get a look at Tanke, avoiding contact with the stepback.

During the season, it would not show up.

They were able to get away with it in this game tonight.

You have to play really good defense.

They are doing that.

You have to have a player like Aili Tanke.

It took her time to get going.

Here tonight, she is on fire.

>> Tanke leading all of 5a, in field goal percentage, better than 50%.

>> Hit the stepback and the fadeaway.

Here, she spots up and knocks down a big three.

They are doing a really good job of trying to contain Zediker.

There as she spins.

Coming with the double-team.

Dowling Catholic, going to be a charge.

Too strong inside.

>> The way they are lying, you have to cut back door.

This defense right now, for Johnston is really overwhelming Dowling.

They are not able to get into an offensive flow because of the double-teams that are coming.

>> Macy Harnden will check in.

And she is out on the floor trying to pick up at the point guard position.

Here's Jenkins, working in on Muller.

And Ellie Muller will pick up her first.

>> The maroons are a straight man-to-man defense.

They try to play fundamentals and force you.

They got that down deep to Jenkins.

She just muscled her way in to the basket.

Amani Jenkins, relocated into the Johnston school district last two previous years.

Played at Des Moines north.

And missed both free throws right there.

>> I thought Trytten would bring the ball.

And get a drive.

>> Zediker with four.

Riley on the attack.

To the rack.

A foul on the floor before the shot.

And this is going to go against Harnden.

>> The last opportunity for Dowling.

Trytten got the ball up and got it to the wing of Zediker.

She could find the corner and drive.

>> Kinnetz is a player that has practiced starting lineup.

First year starter.

Showing the range there.

>> This stays with Dowling Catholic.

The dragons, able to find the sophomore in the corner here.

>> As the inbounds pass came inside.

>> Zediker, looking to go to work.

Kinnetz has done a tremendous job defensively so far.

Harnden, to Zediker.

Muller for three.

Going to be wide of the mark.

>> You rush the shots when you see the defense flying at you.

Maybe a little pump fake.

>> Want to remind you, we have the coaches mic'd up again.

For this state attorneyment.

During the quarter break and throughout time-outs, get a little more insight into the game.

Ari Phillips into the contest.

Outstanding freshman for Johnston.

And a charge.

Illegal screen, against Riley, her first.

>> Moving just enough.

>> Each team with three team fouls.

Johnston sticking to the man-to-man.

>> They are doubling up when Zediker has the ball.

Jenkins left.

Her player went with Lewis to double-team.

>> Muller being harassed.

Younger Muller, Ellie, gets the shot to fall.

>> Not sure how she got it to fall.

She had to adjust.

>> Tanke for three.

Got it.

>> She might be the best shooter in the state so far.

She's proving him right.

>> Right there, Jenkins to swat it away.

>> Lewis, the deep three.

No.

Phillips in the point.

>> The ball got back to her and she went into attack mode.

>> Poked away.

And scrum for the ball.

It's on the deck.

Going to hold the possession.

52 seconds to play in the quarter.

Every possession counts.

>> Take the basketball.

Phillips doing a good job of reaching in.

>> Go to the Johnston huddle and hear from Chad Jilek.

>> We got the ball for the last shot.

I want you to run.

Run off the clock.

Just hold it.

Run the weave and then the 40.

Use that to screen.

Here we go.

Here we go.

Attitude, let's go.

>> Averie Ryan, the senior, will check in for the first time.

Also coming in is Isabella Balsley for the Johnston dragons.

>> Here's the corner.

Lewis with the rebound.

Balsley ahead.

They're going to hold up the shot and hold for one here.

>> Get set up and get the last of the quarter.

>> Johnston ranked in the top 15 of the country.

Johnston will get it.

That's the end of the first eight minutes of play.

It's been fast paced.

And the dragons have a four-point advantage.

Let's go to Paul Yeager.

>> That was an intense first quarter.

The crowd atmosphere inside Wells Fargo arena is fantastic.

We're going to go to the court for the Iowa bankers scholarship.

>> The 2024 student achievement award winner is grace Knutson.

Presenting the award is Patrick Smith.

Congratulations, grace, for receiving this scholarship.

>> Everybody, you caught me shooting baskets.

This is a pretty good first quarter.

We talked about in the open.

Ava Zediker.

She is being guarded double-teams.

And I don't know if you see anything different from courtside.

From up here, it looks frustrated if you're Dowling Catholic.

>> I would agree with that.

I think that Zediker has been frustrated.

Not only does she have somebody in front of her, she has somebody in her hip pocket, as well.

Making it difficult for her to get any of the drives into the hoop.

That's a big part of her game.

Getting that defense to back off and shooting an outside jumper.

They are not backing off with her.

>> Outside, Olson, Muller and three off the mark.

Rebound will be tracked down and belong to Kinnetz.

She is joined on the floor by Jenkins, Riley, Tanke and Lewis.

Each with the starting five on the floor.

Tanke leading with eight.

And Ellie Muller, pacing Dowling Catholic with five.

Zediker with four.

Riley in the paint.

Shifty move.

Muller will clear it.

>> We've seen Riley make those moves before.

She is so quick with the basketball.

You have to move quickly.

>> Northwest Missouri state will get a steal with Riley.

>> She will make a difference.

>> The former Waukee coach.

He knew where to get great talent.

>> Little inside information to help in that decision.

>> A foul going to be called on Aaliyah Riley.

That's her second.

Second quarter of play.

You may be familiar with this.

There's no more one-on-one.

You get five fouls in a quarter, you're going to the line to shoot two.

Here's Zediker in the paint.

The left hand.

Gets her own rebound back.

Muller open for three.

That's a foul on the dragons, their third.

>> Able to get the rebound.

In the middle, a lot of contact.

And that might be Riley that picked up the foul.

Is that number three?

>> That's number three.

>> That's big.

>> What a luxury.

They bring in Phillips to replace Riley.

Zediker, to the rack.

>> Someone in Riley that knows her tendencies.

And a freshman come in.

A crossover dribble by Zediker.

>> Jenkins, to Tanke.

Lewis will track it down.

Don't reset.

Phillips.

Tough move.

Can't get the shot to fall.

Jenkins with the rebound.

Here's Lewis for three.

And tank can I with the board.

And a fresh 35.

Lewis, the deep three.

Yes.

>> Give them that many opportunities, they will eventually knock one in.

And that one hurt.

>> The first one of the game.

Dowling, can they answer?

That's going to stay with the maroons.

>> Johnston doing a good job going to the offensive glass.

Kicking it back out.

Lewis was the one that got that rebound.

Got herself out beyond the three-point line.

>> Balsley, back into the contest for Johnston.

Back in, Macy Harnden for Dowling Catholic.

They are harassing Zediker.

And it's going to be tied up, possession arrow.

Will give it to Johnston.

>> That's twice, that's happened.

They've had the possession arrow.

They force the held ball.

They get the possession.

>> Chad Jilek, dialing up the pressure on the Dowling Catholic guard.

You hear Kristin Meyer, no stranger to championship games.

Coached to the 2015 state championship in 3a.

And in 2016.

And Jenica Lewis, she has six.

>> Zediker, against Balsley.

Great recovery by the dragons.

Out ahead, Tanke.

And she will go to the line to shoot two.

>> Zediker is being tentative.

She has the pressure defense on her.

She gave up.

She should have pulled the trigger on that three.

Instead, gets herself caught.

As the defense recovers.

And they get out and run.

>> Ellie Muller, Tanke at the line.

83% on the season.

At 19 points, 11 rebounds in the semifinals, against waukee.

Now, in double figures with ten.

A ten-point advantage for Johnston.

Phillips, Balsley.

Phillips, Lewis, the deep three.

That's in and out.

Tanke, and the Jamesmanship to hold the possession.

>> Tanke wasn't in there for the battle for the rebound.

Comes from the backside.

Knocks it away.

And knocks it off of Harnden.

>> The best was a five-point win.

They've been rolling competition.

Better than 30 points a game.

They've been dominant all year.

>> They are a five-headed monster.

Might be a six-seven headed monster.

You have Riley on the bench or with Phillips who is making plays.

Got to get players moving for the maroons.

Nobody is moving.

>> Zediker to Harnden.

Trytten, can't get the three.

And Tanke makes it a one and done for Dowling Catholic.

>> That's one of the things they wanted to do.

Not give them second chance opportunities.

>> Dowling Catholic, at 27% from the field.

Johnston, who started 0 for the first 3, have now gone 50% from the field, 8 of the last 16.

Balsley gets the ball back.

Seven on the shot clock.

Phillips inside Jenkins.

Goes to her left.

High off the glass.

Can't get it to fall.

Muller, with the rebound for Dowling Catholic.

Zediker, denied by Lewis.

>> Made a nice jab one way.

Got the hand on the ball.

Knocked it away.

>> Averie Ryan, will come back in the game.

Will spell Ari Phillips.

Now, the dumpdown.

And a travel will be called by Olson.

>> Olson did the right thing.

Saw the double-team was coming on Zediker and slipped the screen to get herself open.

Couldn't gather herself feet as the ball game to her.

She had seven in the semifinals.

And Dowling Catholic leads all in blocks.

For the dragon, they don't care.

A steal by Balsley.

>> Just keep coming at you.

Need to have teammates behind you, helping you out, telling you somebody is coming.

>> Lewis in the paint.

And this is going to be on Olson, her first.

>> Lewis, with coach Meyer.

>> Maroons, trying to find the combination.

Will come back into the game.

She will check in for Muller.

>> Needs to come and make themselves available.

Zediker can get it to them.

Here's the double-team.

It will be turned over.

>> That double-team speeds it up.

Makes it quicker than what you want to do.

>> Ryan with the board.

Has it taken by Harnden.

>> That's what she does.

A little spark drug off of the bench.

>> Not afraid to mix it up inside.

The fade by Muller, left short.

Falsely able to take it away.

A time-out taken by Johnston.

A 14-point advantage for the dragons.

>> 106 to play here in the first half.

>> And the defense has been stifling for the dragons.

A good game plan so far.

Not allowing Zediker to get set up.

And the rest of the team is lost.

The girls athleic union has a wall of participants.

Girls are encouraged to find their name, snap a picture and share it on social media.

It's part of the pageantry.

And want to remind you, we have the champions, in Iowa girls high school athletic union.

They will be represented here, with the champions parade coming up at halftime.

>> They need to put the pbs logo up there.

Our crew and everybody.

>> All week long.

Dowling Catholic, trying to get things going here.

The first half starting to wind down.

Muller, past Ryan.

And down the court, come the dragons.

>> Just a little too tall for Jenkins.

They are looking to run every opportunity that they get.

>> Ryan for Johnston will check out.

Olson will check out for Dowling Catholic.

Shot clock is off.

Maroons down by 14.

Harnden.

Now, to Muller.

Working on Jenkins.

Down to two.

Ahead to Tanke at the horn.

No.

What a flurry of activity for the Johnston dragons.

Taking the lead to intermission.

Paul Yeager is standing by.

>> Thank you very much.

And Johnston was up 15 in their semifinal game against waukee on Wednesday.

They are going in at 14 here.

Coming up at halftime, we have all activities, stories and an interview coming that I think you want to hear.

There's been news made at this tournament this week.

We get ready to talk to head coach Chad Jilek.

Tanke had the first quarter.

Lewis had the second quarter.

What did they do well in the first half for you?

>> The biggest thing we told those kids is you're not going to get wide-open looks.

You have to get comfortable with somebody in your face.

We practiced before we got them, taking contested shots.

They did a good job of knocking them down.

>> On defense, you've gone aggressive on ava Zediker.

You are going to follow her the rest of the game.

Why is that important?

>> She is averaging 25 points a game on the state tournament.

The more we keep the ball out of her hands, the better it is for us.

There's opportunities for us when we're trapping.

And our girls are smart about when to do it and when not to and who to do it with.

The defense has been the key.

We've held them to 11 points.

We're playing one of the best -- I told the kids, it's going to take your best defense you've ever given.

They're doing it right now.

>> Appreciate your time.

Thank you so much.

That's Chad Jilek head coach at Johnston.

And you know, we talk about pageantry.

We're going to go back down to the floor.

More activity.

>> One of the great traditions is to pay tribute to the state champions from the previous year.

Ladies and gentlemen, the parade of champions, presented by the Iowa bankers association.

Let's begin the champions, the Wolverines from Hartford and their coach.

The champions of 1a, the eagles.

The northwest champions.

Honoring the champions in softball.

The jaguars.

The champions in class 4a, the winterset huskies.

♪♪ The 1a state champions.

The class 3a champions, Adam birde and the Williamsburg raiders.

>> In 2a.

>> The class 3a soccer champions.

On to the 2023 basketball champions.

The 4a champions.

Class 5a state champions.

>> The class 4a champions.

Let's meet the state champions in track and field.

2a, the bulldogs.

The 3a champions.

The 3a champions.

Walking with the team is the class 3a individual champion.

The class 1a champions.

The champions in class 2a.

The4a champion.

Let's move to the 2023 golf champions.

The 2a champion.

Now, let's meet the bowling champions that were crowned last week.

The class 1a bowling champion.

Let's meet the 2023 tennis champions.

Ladies and gentlemen, your state champions from 2023 and 2024.

Congratulations to the schools, athletes and coaches.

>> Congratulations to all of the champions.

State basketball is the only sport in the spotlight this time of year.

Girl's state wrestling took place in early February.

We followed three-peat champion Naomi Simon as she made a run at her fourth-straight gold medal.

>> Wrestlers are a lot of things.

They're tough.

Hard-working.

Determined.

As of 2022, they are also girls.

>> Wrestling is a sport that is easy to fall in love with.

There's people that love wrestling and people that don't understand wrestling.

>> Girls have been wrestling in Iowa for some time.

It wasn't until 2022, that the Iowa high school athletic union sanctioned the sport.

>> There's one thing I would like to say.

That is, we sanctioned girls' wrestling.

>> Since then, participation has skyrocketed.

The 2023-2024 season had more than 3,000 girls participating across 200 programs.

>> Iowa is one of the greatest states for wrestling.

Historically has been.

When it comes to girls' wrestling, the concept wasn't so foreign.

I think, just us putting our stamp on it gives more avenues for growth.

>> Naomi Simon is a familiar face to those in the Iowa wrestling community.

She ended her high school career with an undefeated record, and made history as the first four-time girls state wrestling champion.

>> I decided to go out.

I had done every youth sport, really.

I never really liked any of them.

I had a hard time connecting with my peers, making friends.

And wrestling turned out to be a really great place, where I could make friends and meet new people.

Everybody that steps foot into a wrestling room, is automatically transported into a new world.

Like realm full of hard work that is found nowhere else.

>> I had people say, I watched you wrestle and it made me want to go out.

All of the wrestling icons.

And I'm like, I want to be there.

Especially the past few months, I sort of realized that all these people are just here to help me and support me.

And I want to give back to them.

I love it.

It pushes me to be better.

Better version of myself.

Allows me to help other people be better.

The biggest thing it has taught me is how to respect everybody.

The utmost challenge I face, is when they are there, because they want to fight me, essentially.

It shows that if you do wrestling and basketball.

There's somewhere you can belong.

I think that the hard work, the work ethic, and everything that I've gained through wrestling is just, keeps pushing me to come back.

I have a wrestling addiction.

I can't leave.

>> What has become an annual tradition.

Jean, you're in that piece, announcing you are going to sanction wrestling.

We finished the piece with everybody on the platform.

In the two-year timeframe, is it a meeting or exceeding of expectations for you?

>> It exceeded it.

We're up 800 girls the first year.

3,000 this year.

Our brackets were full.

Instead of brackets where ten girls wrestled to go to state, we had full brackets except for one in our sub regionals.

The depth is growing.

>> Since it's growing, how much longer before there's a second class in wrestling?

>> I'm sure that will be a topic of discussion into this ring.

Actually, the wrestling advisory committee is meeting in March.

They will make a recommendation.

And the board will act on that.

You know, the depth is growing, the number of schools is not.

Maybe there's a dual tournament before class this fall.

>> That's one thing to see.

One thing I've seen this week, is the new court that's here.

There's a tiny thing on that court.

This is a replacement to what you had, that was original to the arena.

How did this court come about?

>> It started about three years ago.

The old court was getting a little rough.

And there's a lot of dead spots.

You can hear it when they ran.

You can hear it when they dribbled.

I thought it was retro, kind of good.

So, it took three years.

>> What is this underneath the "i"?

The Jean Berger court.

>> With the signature.

I have a creative staff.

They thought it would be nice because they knew three years of work before we got a floor before the Iowa girl.

>> And it's a staff that you are not going to be spending as much time with here soon.

Just before the tournament was announced, you have said, I'm done, it's time to wake up with a little more regular basis.

When you reflect on your time here, wrestling has to be one of your achievements.

The color pink has to be one of your achievements.

What stands out most to you?

>> For sure, just the level that we have raised the Iowa girl.

And what it's meant.

That's what I'm most proud of and what my staff works on all the time.

It's really important for girls to feel that.

>> You have a background in marketing and branding.

You have a shirt on right now that is reflective.

We saw all of the champions walk by.

She has a chance to win a seventh pink shirt.

When you hear that, what does that make you think?

>> We try to focus on one girl.

And the Iowa girl and what she means to us.

They are well-rounded.

They don't do one thing.

They are in 4h.

They are in music, they are in speech.

When you tell the story of the Iowa girl, it resonates with everyone.

You know Iowa girls.

I was an Iowa girl.

>> We are appreciative of you.

In signage inside the arena, there's a sign that says thank you.

The arena -- there's a sign, thank you for your leadership, Jean.

The building, when you go outside tonight, you see it.

It's pink, Jean.

I have to say thank you.

It's been fun with you.

>> Thank you.

>> I know it's been an emotional week for a couple of things.

We'll leave it at that.

>> Thank you.

>> Jean Berger, thank you so much.

That is our now outgoing executive director, Jean Berger, of the Iowa girls high school athletic union.

highlights.

Do we have coach ready?

Okay.

We're going to go to a break.

When we come back, we'll talk with Kristin Meyer.

Our doubleheader night continues.

>>> Johnston, in the lead, 25-11, here at halftime.

Dowling Catholic.

And Kristin Meyers with this coach.

This is a game that ava Zediker needed to be big.

Johnston is double-teaming her.

How do you get her involved?

And maybe somebody else to get other folks going?

>> That's the million dollar question, isn't it?

>> We talked about a couple of things at halftime.

We have to have other guys step up.

Step to a gap, if they double ava.

We can't keep ava ragged when we need other girls to take the ball and find other ways to score.

>> You talk about getting girls to move.

You need them to slow down.

Johnston's elevating their pace of play.

How do you do both of those things?

>> It's an aggressive mentality but under control.

You have to do a repeat to see if help is coming.

We have to have a downhill, driving, aggressive mentality.

>> Thanks, coach.

That's coach of the Dowling Catholic maroons, Kristin Meyer.

This is how we got to halftime.

Let's look at the earlier action.

We call them highlights in the business.

Ava Zediker, she would end up at the free-throw line.

A nice move to the baseline.

Then, it became a lit of Johnston.

And a lot of this player.

Trytten, a future cyclone.

Tanke, is three of six from the field.

Two of four from three.

Six rebounds.

Total of ten points.

Let's see what unfolds in the second half.

Hopefully they are able to catch their breath and are ready for quarter number three.

>> It was fast-paced in that first half.

And seemed to be to the benefit of the Johnston dragons.

>> That's what they wanted to do.

They wanted to speed up the maroons.

That's what they did with that.

Not allowing any flow.

They turn over and go the other way.

The speed and the pace is the change.

If you're the maroons or the dragons, keep things going the way they did before.

>> The statistics did that in the first half.

Dominated by Johnston over Dowling.

Holding the maroons to eight turnovers, that turned into ten, Johnston dragon points.

It is Olson, Muller, Zediker, Trytten, Muller.

The three fouls back into the game.

Tanke, and Lewis.

The maroons with the basketball, to begin the second half.

This is a team that is averaging better than 62 points a game.

They average nine three-pointers per contest.

Now, they have one three.

You see the scoreboard.

Tries the stepback.

When Zediker gets by the defense.

Jenkins was right there to keep her away from shooting the shot.

And had to pass it off.

>> Tanke to shut down that side.

>> Third time they played one another.

They know each other very well.

Tanke to Lewis.

One too many passes.

And Dowling Catholic will end up with the basketball.

>> You're right.

Exactly one too many passes.

Go ahead and take that up to the rim.

Try to be unselfish.

That's fine.

When you're that close, go ahead and go up.

>> Riley guarding Zediker, the skip to the corner.

Zediker, with the rebound and the foul on Riley.

That's going to be number four on Aaliyah Riley.

>> She sat a good portion of the second quarter.

Now, she's going to have to go to the bench for probably a fairly long time here in the second half.

Riley is trying to box out.

Zediker is in the air.

Ari Phillips, the freshman, in for her.

Left open, is Olson.

Will not take the shot.

Now, to Zediker.

>> This is a situation, as coach Meyer said.

You have to have somebody else step up and start taking some shots.

They seem to be very tentative.

They are looking for Zediker to do things.

Somebody else has to take the initiative.

Work the ball towards the basket or rise up and knock down some jumpers.

>> Tanke.

>> The three, left it short.

And Phillips will track down the rebound for Johnston.

Jenkins now inside.

A power move.

Can't get it to fall.

Muller with the rebound.

This dragon team, dominant, not only in Iowa, but the Midwest.

A win against Nebraska.

It just wasn't in, a shellacking that they put on Nebraska's team in Millard west.

They are ranked in the top 15 nationally.

Zediker's drive.

Can't get it to fall but will go to the line to shoot two.

As Jenkins will pick up the foul.

>> Coach Jilek talked about the fall they wanted to test their team a little bit this season, to start.

There were a couple good games between Hopkins and Millard west.

Maybe not quite to the level of some of the top teams in Iowa.

>> Zediker able to not both of them down.

She has eight.

Her first points in the late half.

A little different pace, compared to the beginning of the game.

Kinnetz, able to track that down.

Finds Jenkins.

Avoids the triple team to Phillips.

Shot clock winding down here.

Kinnetz in the paint.

Able to get off before the horn.

Dowling ends up with the bowl anyways.

Muller on the block.

Long possessions and Phillips with the steal.

To the rack.

>> That's twice in this ball game that Phillips has done that.

Ball handlers for the maroons.

Need to protect that ball.

Handling out in front.

That's inviting for a player like Phillips with the quick hands.

>> She has six now.

Left alone.

And Dowling able to get the bucket.

Ellie Olson with the basket.

And Trytten with a great feed.

>> Drew the defense.

Ran that set play.

>> Phillips with quality minutes with Aaliyah Riley in trouble.

Going to be turned over.

>> Olson was down there, needed to cut in the lane, and cut to the basket and call for the ball.

>> Muller on the block.

The fade.

Katelyn Muller with her first basket.

>> Might have gotten a travel.

That's all right.

Dowling will take that.

>> Able to get there, 21-4.

Running into a buzz saw tonight.

There's Lewis.

She knocks down her third triple of the game in double figures with 11.

>> Just when Dowling Catholic is making a run, you get a big three like that.

The answer.

And a rebound to Johnston.

>> Right away, as soon as that ball came off the rim, they were out and running, filling lanes.

Good job by the maroons to get back.

That's a 13-point advantage for the dragons.

Zediker will launch.

>> A little stepback jumper, with good defense on her.

>> Lewis looking to go to work.

Dowling Catholic looking to cut it to double digits.

Zediker in the paint.

Tanke with the tough rebound for Johnston.

>> Doing a better job of stake shaking the defender and getting open in the middle.

>> Jenkins, working in on Muller.

A foul on Ellie Muller.

The sophomore will pick up her second.

>> Muller just leaned the hands on her.

Leaned instead of staying vertical.

>> Jenkins, committed prior to the season.

>> Met up with the maroons, a double-double, 14 rebounds.

Of the 14, 5 offensive.

She went to the offensive glass and got second-chance opportunities for her teammates.

>> Ellie Muller will sit.

A smaller lineup for the maroons out on the floor.

And Johnston will bring Averie Ryan back into the game, along with Isabel Balsley.

Take out your big and we'll see how the smaller lineups do against one another.

>> That's the aggressiveness that coach Meyer was looking for when Paul talked to her at halftime.

We need to have others step up and be aggressive on the drive.

She did with a nice spin move.

Took it in strong and drew contact.

Aili Tanke will pick up the foul.

That's her first.

Free throw not there for Trytten.

Still a ten-point game here.

Lewis, on the deck for Tanke.

Left her open for three.

Tanke with a rare miss from the outside.

Lewis will now go to the line to shoot two.

>> The screen came.

Two defenders went with the ball handler.

That allowed Tanke to pop out free.

Lewis was able to get her the basketball.

It came up short.

Crashed the boards.

Did a good job of getting into traffic, to pull that rebound.

>> Jenica Lewis, able to knock that one down.

Might have heard of her before.

Jenica Lewis.

A lot of coaches have heard of her.

Holds 50 division i scholarship offers.

Had that primaily coming into her freshman season.

>> Coach Jilek said, a year ago, she was a little tentative, when she got at the high school level, as a freshman.

Now, she's more comfortable.

Sees the floor well.

Good job of making herself available of receiving the basketball or createling for herself.

>> Across the half-court line.

Now, they say she stepped on the line.

Over and back, going to be the call.

Tough defense that time by Averie Ryan.

>> A little sly smile by Averie Ryan.

The toe of Muller goes over the backcourt.

>> Johnston will get the ball back.

33 seconds to play in the third quarter.

And 12-point advantage for Johnston.

Johnston, 65-53.

And 43-31.

And the defense, if you're a fan of it, it's better here.

Going to be tied up.

There's five seconds to go in the quarter.

>> Zediker comes KRASHG down digging, to tie up Jenkins.

>> Tanke, has that one deflected away, inside of two seconds to play in the quarter.

>> Muller, able to pick that off.

And that's tend of the third quarter.

34-22.

Johnston, with a 12-point lead.

Trying to win the third-straight championship and the fifth-straight tournament appearance.

>> Make sure we're talking defensively.

We need to switch anything, just talk through it.

Offensively, get the and one.

Right?

We are attacking.

Has anyone gotten a charge yet?

We're going.

When you drive, turn it a little.

Ollie's coming to here.

Pass score and dribble and go.

Okay?

We still have to be downhill attacking.

Good job defensively.

We only gave up nine points, right?

That's a great quarter.

Make sure we find Tanke and Jenica early.

Boxing out.

When she screens, she will pop.

If we don't have it, we're offense, with Ellie on the perimeter.

In the offense, we're okay.

>> And you can hear, again, get into it mode.

Turn and get downhill.

>> This year's recipient of the golden plaque distinction award.

Her eighth season of Dowling Catholic.

She did coach.

>> That was right after Caitlin Clark had announced she was going to go take her game to the next level.

She stayed in touch, showed up to practices.

And talked to the players.

It's a nice connection they have.

>> Aaliyah Riley.

As Zediker knocks down the free throw.

Zediker, with 12 in the game.

And has scored all of Dowling's points here in the late half.

It's back to a ten-point game here.

Ari Phillips in the lineup, joined by Kinnetz, Tanke, and Lewis.

Jenkins, working in on Muller.

Going to be picked off by Olson.

She is joined by Muller, Zediker, Trytten and Muller.

>> Thought that Tanke was going to make that cut and didn't cut very hard.

And the pass is already made.

The maroons able to pick it off.

That's one of the few turnovers that Johnston has made here in this ball game.

>> Zediker, the stepback three.

The time-out from Johnston.

Just like that, seven minutes to play.

And the maroons are starting to crawl their way back into it.

>> A couple different times in the second half.

Zediker has been able to get loose with the crossover dribble and stay behind the three-point line.

Knock it down.

>> Let's go inside of the dragon huddle and hear from Chad Jilek.

>> Just let her go.

Don't let her stop getting there.

It's the offense not flowing.

Not moving.

We're not looking for players.

We have two scorers right here.

We're not setting a screen for them.

You're not being aggressive.

You have to be aggressive.

You can score.

Right?

Hey, let's run, dragon, right now.

Can you run dragon?

Okay.

Set a good pick for the corner.

Get a good screen.

Let's go.

>> They have taken a step back.

The aggressiveness is not there on offense.

They settled into a mode of where they're not taking the ball to the hoop.

They're not moving as much as they were in the first half.

And they need to get back that intensity.

>> We talk about Johnston's defense.

How about Dowling Catholic's?

>> They have done a good job.

Their defense has done a great job of improving throughout the entire season.

They are man-to-man.

And go out and get backside help.

This is a team, when you know you're matched up against them, you will have to fight for every point you get.

Johnston came in averaging 72 points a game.

>> Not the second time in the regular season.

And Moore will get the foul.

That's her third.

Rebounding, Johnston.

They've done an outstanding job tonight.

That's the 11th offensive rebound.

>> Isabel Balsley back into the contest.

For Johnston.

Replaces Phillips.

AndAmani Jenkins gets her first free throw of the night with that.

We're at 6:30 to play.

Muller, uses the screen to her left.

And the defense just suffocating, forcing another turnover, that's the 13th of the night.

Just frustrating Dowling Catholic every time they get the ball in the frontcourt.

That's going to be the third at 5:45 to play.

>> At the end of the quarter it's wiped clean and we start all over again.

The quicker and the sooner that Johnston gets into the bonus, they will be stepping to the free-throw line.

Lewis, the stepback.

Oh, my.

>> A lot of traffic and hands in the face, a nice jab step and step back.

>> Lewis with 16.

>> Zediker, able to knock that down.

And a time-out going to be taken by Dowling Catholic here.

A little jab step in.

Shakes the defender.

And Muller able to step back and get the feet behind the line and knock it down.

>> YouTube, x, facebook and Iowapbs.org, don't miss a moment of the action.

Live action on YouTube, x, facebook and Iowapbs.org.

It's been an amazing tournament.

Going toe-to-toe for the first time.

Johnston has an answer every time that Dowling Catholic has come close.

>> They have been able to cut into the lead a little bit.

And the dragons come down and make a big play.

A stepback three.

Offensive rebound and a putback.

>> They are part of the million dollar lighting project to make the building more visible.

It's been an amazing week.

City of Des Moines in the area for the tournament.

Thousands of fans have came here.

Many are have vacation weeks down here.

Riley's shot, four fouls for Riley.

She is back out on the floor.

>> And Tanke, to Jenica Lewis.

>> Tanke has done a nice job on the glass, as well.

>> Now, Tanke.

Trying to back her way in.

The turnaround "J" is good for Tanke.

She has 12.

>> That's a move she's worked on a ton in the gym, in her driveway.

She knew where the defender was, what she needed to do.

Little fadeaway jumper.

>> Deep three by Zediker.

21 on the night for Ava Zediker.

>> Give her that kind of room and she's going to pull the trigger.

She might start looking to do that a little more as time winds down.

>> See how much Dowling will crank up the defense here down the stretch.

Great pass from Lewis to Jenkins.

We'll have to earn them at the line.

Foul on Trytten.

That will be her second.

That's the fourth team foul with 3:38 to play.

The last possession for the dragons, as Jenica Lewis makes the dribble drive.

The defense had to shift over.

That allowed her to make that pocket pass over to Jenkins.

>> One out of two.

Measured in the second half.

Trytten thought about it.

Now, Zediker to Balsley.

A crossover.

Gave up the ball.

It's turned over.

Going to roll it back in for Johnston.

Lewis, the three.

>> We knew it would go in.

It was there, had a hand in the face.

>> And Zediker with 23.

Kinnetz has it poked away.

It will stay with Johnston.

2:28 to play in the game.

And Macy Harnden will come back into the contest.

There's been a load of talent.

You heard the division i schools that players will be going to.

And you think about it with Lewis and Zediker.

They are going to play on the same club team, coming up this summer.

All-Iowa attack.

What a dynamic duo.

Starting here, next week, on the same squad, pretty interesting.

>> You get into the summer teams, and on that circuit.

You will have different teammates that you're going to face when you're in high school, on the opposite side.

Will have to go along with them for a while and go up against them for a while.

>> Not there for Jenica Lewis.

A lot of club players on the floor.

Year-round activity, as Lewis is able to knock down the free throw here.

2:14 to play.

Zediker will attack.

Tanke with a board.

>> Able to get that drive.

Couldn't connect.

And again, one and done.

>> That one, deflected away by Muller.

>> And Tanke wanted the foul.

>> Inside of two to play.

Aili Tanke.

12 points, 10 rebounds, a double-double for her tonight.

Skip to the corner.

That's Trytten.

And trying to do everything they can to get it in the hands of Zediker.

>> They have given themselves three opportunities on this possession.

She's a soccer player, the way you can tell.

>> Tanke with another board.

>> Going to take the time, work the clock.

>> 1:04 to play in the 5a championship.

Let's hear what the maroons have to say?

>> We need one stop here.

You have 30 -- you have ten?

>> I think Riley's in.

You probably have 23.

2 or 23.

If it's two in the lane, 23, normal.

She doesn't get to step in front of you.

Deny her a little more.

One stop and pushing.

Get to the free-throw line.

Right?

We got one minute.

Play hard.

Play hard for one minute.

Score some points.

>> All about defense.

All about stops.

Get the stop and once you get it, you get that stop, continue on.

Try to get this if you can.

You look at the Dowling lineup.

One senior on this team.

Going to have a lot of fire power back for next season.

>> And so does Johnston.

>> We might see this match-up again next season.

>> Here's Tanke.

From the elbow.

Able to knock it down.

Tanke.

>> They ran the clock.

They ran that little weave up top, to try to waste some time.

Tanke, knocks down a big bucket, that might be the final nail for the dragons.

>> They can dribble out the clock here.

A foul on the maroons.

How about this for Johnston.

Falling last year to pleasant valley in the state championship.

Upset.

Another loaded.

Making the fifth-straight appearance.

And Chad Jilek was honest with us.

He said last year wasn't one of his favorite years coaching.

This year, they knew they had talent.

And knew they would make it way back to the tournament, at least.

This team is having a blast and you're seeing that on the Kortright now.

>> All about how a team gets along and gets together.

The team chemistry, how they gel together.

Celebrating in the backcourt.

You talked about the five-straight championship games.

They won in 2020.

2022.

Now, they win in 2024.

They like even years.

They were runner-up in other years, '21 and '23.

>> Zediker with five.

That's going to do it.

The Johnston dragons are your 2024 class 5a state champions.

>> What a run and capped off.

26 and 0.

Jenica Lewis leading the way with 20.

>> The performance from the beginning.

The defensive game plan that the dragons had for the maroons was spot-on.

They were able to contain Zediker.

She got away in the second half.

Able to shake the defense.

Knock down some threes.

I'll tell you, they set the tone in that first quarter and said, this is what we're going to do.

We're going to double-team you.

We're going to try to take the ball out of your hands.

Make the others beat us.

You got to credit the Johnston dragons for a really good game plan coming into this state championship game.

>> And the T-shirts.

>> They love the T-shirts.

The pink T-shirt means a lot to them.

>> Let's turn it over to Joe Hammond.

>> Presenting the awards is present johnson, president of the Iowa farm bureau.

Joining him are members of the igsh board of directors, Russ Adams, Jennifer Donnells, Zach Clark, Greg Dafoe, Tonya Mo, and governor Kim rends.

From Johnston, Aili Tanke.

From Dowling Catholic, Ellie Muller.

From cedar falls, grace Knutson.

From Davenport north, divine borage.

>> From Dowling Catholic, Ava Zediker.

And your team capstan from Johnston, Jenica Lewis.

Fans, the Iowa pork producers would like to give the top producer award, Taylor anderson of the Iowa girls athletic This year's top producer of the 5a championship game, from Johnston, Jenica Lewis.

Help us recognize the 5a runner-up, the Dowling Catholics and head coach Kristin Meyer.

>> Fans, let's hear it for the 5a champions, the Johnston dragons and head coach Chad Jilek.

♪ We are the champions, my friends ♪ ♪ We'll keep on fighting till the end ♪ >> The Johnston dragons, the 2024 class 5a champions.

What a run for Johnston.

>> It really has been.

And it's going to keep going.

Probably.

They got a lot of talent on that team.

I would guess to say we will see them at the state tournament next season.

We'll see the maroons back here, as well.

Quite a lot of talent on these teams.

>> We have more basketball coming your way for the class 3a title game.

First, let's go to Paul Yeager who is standing by.

>> That's a trusting team, to give the trophy to the fans.

They gave it back right away.

Nice job, Johnston.

Only two teams had Johnston below 50 points all season.

Both were Dowling classic.

Both were classes.

76-2, that's a good run in three years.

That's going to do it for game one of basketball here on our doubleheader on Iowa pbs.

For all of us here on the crew, we are excited that you have been with us so far.

Stay tuned, as game number two, coming up next.

Congratulations again to Dowling Catholic.

This has been high school basketball on Iowa pbs.