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â™áâ™á >> Welcome to downtown Des Moines.

Wehave seen it all this week.

We've had snow.

We have hadfire evacuations.

Wehave cheerleaders.

We have basketball.

It is all inside here at Wells FargoArena as we get ready totipoff playoffs, 30-second time-out and3A championships.

I am Paul Yeager,glad to have you here .

It is day one oftwo and tonight we have a doubleheader.

Tomorrow,a tripleheader.

Thanks for joining us herefor tournament coverage.

We will bringyou highlights and interviews right herefrom our on-site sports desk hereat halftime.

First,let's go down to our friends,BJ shaven and Laura Leonardfor their call .

>> It is time forbasketball here from Wells Fargo Arena,the topseed Johnston dragons taking on the numbertwo seed DowlingCatholic.

Laura, we are right wherewe thought wewould be from last Merch.

These twoteams did it.

>> We talked about it whenthat game ended we thought we mightsee this rematch at this pointin time this year and here we haveit and we expect it to be a very closeball game.

>> Let's take a look attheresumes.

First up for Dowling Catholic,the Marines, their 26th trip to state.

They have a senior guard in Ava Zediker.

And,look out for junior Ellie Muller.

Shehas been phenomenal here at the statetournament.

Meanwhile, forthe Johnston dragons, defending state champs, sixthstate title game appearance, they areon along winning streak, top scoring teamin 5A and yes, they have a superstarin Jenica Lewis, averaging over 18per game and she has over 40Division I offers.

She has had quitea tournament.

>> She really hasn'twe talked about it in the pregame,that she is a game manager.

Sheunderstands how to handle the gameand how to get her team in rhythm,get them going,and get them into position to score.

>> Itshould be a lot of fun, shouldn't it.

Number one Johnston and number two DowlingCatholic, a rematch from last yearas it is time now to get introduced to the teams alittlebit more as we turn it over to tonight'spublic addressannouncer, Joe Hammond.

â™áâ™á >> Let's hear it for the DowlingCatholic Marines.

Now, let's hear it for the Johnston dragons.

Pounds,it is now time to introduce the players intonight's championship matchup.

Firstthe starters for the Dowling Catholicmaroons.

Number 1, Kate McLennan.

Number 25, Madison Rice,number 31,Olivia Meredith.

Number 33,Macy Hardin.

Number 35,Nelly Johnson and number 41,Sophia Anthony-Bode.

The assistantcoaches for DowlingCatholic areJill Danner, Tom Donahue, Lisa Smith,Vanderhoff and Brenner.

Now, let's meetthe nonstarters for the Johnston dragons,number 4, Sidny Pohlman.

Number 5, said DiFelice.

Number 12,Chloe Helgeson,number 23, Jaliyah Kinnetz.

Number 24,Rubie Pohlman.

Number 32, Paige Andernacht.

Number 33,Emma Gray.

Number 34, Atul and Hauser.

Number 40 , AnnaHaxton.

And, number 44,Kia hood.

The assistant coaches for Johnston,Brad Buchan, Steve Valline, and Christine Wolford.

And now, Ladies and Gentlemen, areyou ready for tonight'sstarting lineups?

For Dowling Catholic it forward, a5'10" senior, number 5,Ellie Olson.

And for Johnston at guard,5'10" Junior, number 10,Jenna Carl Lewis.

For Dowling Catholicat guard,a sophomore,number 11, Katie Muller and for Johnston atguard,5'8" sophomore, number 14,Ari Phillips.

For Johnston Catholicat guard, a 5'10" senior,number 13, Ava Zediker and forJohnston at guard, a sophomore, number 20,Daya Phillips.

For Dowling Catholic at guard, a 5'9" senior,number 15, LaylaTrenton and for Johnston at guard,5'10" freshman, number 22, Kelli Kalb.

ForDowling Catholicat forward, a 6'2" Junior, number 23,Ellie Muller and for Johnston it forward,a 6'1" senior, number 42, Amani Jenkins.

The head coach forDowling Catholic is Kristin Meyerand thehead coach for Johnston is also 11.

Also 11.

--Chad Jilek >> We request your cooperation bysupporting officials and players ina positive manner.

>> Here we go and Laura, Iwill just say what everyone is probablythinking at home.

What an opener.

>>That was amazing.

Iturn to you and I said if that doesn'tget you fired up, nothing will.

Whata great entrance for both of theseteams.

>> Let's takea look at the keys to the game.

Whatdoes Johnston need to do?

>> Theydon't need to force the offense.

Letthe offense come tothem, work the ball inside out,getthose good high percentage shots anddon't give up any second chance opportunities.

Dowling is going to crash the boards.

They are going to try toget themselves some second chancepoints.

For Dowling, but they needto do, they have to have a balancedattack.

A year ago and thistitle game,Ava Zediker was the only one in double figures.

She had almost 70% of their points theentire game.

She needs somehelp from their teammates and theyneed to get to the free throw line.

Put it on the ground.

Get inside,try to get Johnston into foul trouble.

>> Johnston wearing white, the maroonswith great numbers and Marin jerseys.

Johnston will tip it up at centercourt is the class5A state championship is underway and willbecontrolled by Dowling Catholic.

Maroonsenter a 22-3, two losses to this Johnston teamthat has only hadthree games in single digits all seasonand two of those to Dowling.

>> Right,and the last one,a nailbiter.

Two points, 64-62 was the final ofthat ball game.

>> Trenton along the baseline.

Ava in the paint to the top.

Rice rolled off in a rebound.

>> Thatis some defense by the dragons onthe first offensive series for theMaroons,did not let them have any kind ofopening.

>>Here is Jenica Lewis.

Can't get at the ball.

Dowling Catholic with anolder sister,Wishman five, and Olson on the floor.

>>Itlooks likeLewis cameover to help, and Zediker with the eyesup able to get the dump off for the easy two.

>> In these two played last time,it wasAri Phillips who connected.

This rebound anoffensive board for Johnson.

Hereis Phillips goingto work.

And it will belong to the dragons.

>> A few jitters I think on the Dragon sideon offense.

There shots coming offthe backboard off the rim a littlehard andI think there is a little adrenalineflowing here in this ball game.

>> Idon't think itis jitters.

As three is off the markfor Phillips.

There is a lot of juice, as hewould say.

>> A lot of electricityherein the building.

>>Muller going to drive it in with theleft hand.

>> They are taking it inside.

They aredrawing defense to them, then they arelooking on the backside getting good passes,getting hypedpercentage shots.

>> Phillips underneathcan't get it.

Kicks it out to Lewisfor three.

And another tough offensive boardgot it and it's going tobe fouled by Dowling Catholic.

Thisgoes againstWishman five, her first.

>> I noticedjust one foul but the one thing the maroonscannot affordis foul trouble.

Any kind of foultrouble.

They only wentsixplayers deepen their finals.

Theydo not go very deep on the bench.

>> Dowling Catholic of the school,4 of 5of alltimes in the final.

>> Johnston onthe board.

>> A mismatch that timehad Olson on her backside kept dribblingto the hoop able to get position.

>> Muller working onthe freshman in the paint gets thebucket.

Katie Muller.

>> 11 points in that ballgame.

They need her to step into thescoring column tonight.

>> Jenkinsgoing to back her way in.

NowPhillips will take a run.

In the paintgoes high arcing andhits the net.

>> She saw that Mullerwas coming up with those arms extended, a little fadeaway, high-arching shot.

>> Atwo-point game.

Johnston will bringit aheadwith PhillipsasJenkins out of the wing.

They willreset with Phillips at the top.

She will drive it in onMuller,knocked away.

Ball is loose.

Everybody is on the deck.

What effort.

This is going to go to Dowling.

Wow.

>> Nobody could bring that one in, everybodysacrificing their body as this onegets knocked away.

Nobody could find thehandle on it.

Bodies tothe floor goes the maroon's way.

>> This is a top 50 matchup in thenation.

Johnston comes in ranked 13th in the land.

Wishman five with 10 on the shot clockfrom the wing will bring it in.

Thespin cycle is on.

>> When she getsin there she does that drop step thentouch on the shot thisso soft.

She always get thebounce off the rim.

>> They are going to dare Phillipsto shoot it tonight.

>> I'm not sure why because she hashad one heck of atournament.

Good workthat time.

I'm not sure that you wantto allowPhillipsto have an open look.

Now nearly turned it overas Wishman five on the defense.

You think about it,with Johnston anda little pick and roll here.

>> Perfectscreen and that is just textbook.

You get the screen.

You getthe role.

>> Thethrees have not fallen yet for either team.

>> Both teams cannot find the markright now fromoutside and that is a good part oftheir game.

Maroonstake about 21 again.

>>Wishman five again spending her wayto the hoop can't get this one to drop.

Here is Jenica Lewis in the paint.

It isall tied up.

>> I tell you what, you can'tbe upsetif you miss a shot, you got to getback on defense if you are DowlingCatholic.

>>Trytten for three.

No.

Lewis againin the paint.

The kick out, now Phillips.

Againthey're going tolet her have that tonight.

Can't get the long jumper to fall.

Rebounded Jenkinsunderneath on the put back was goodand the dragons have their first leadof the night.

>> Quick to the ball,and Jenkins able to be in positionto grab that garbage and put it backin.

>>Wishman five fouledup top by Kinnetz.

That is going tobe the 15 foul called onon Johnston.

>> She switched up, gotcalled for the foul.

>>Daya Phillips backout on the court.

She checks in forthe freshman called.

Wishman five works the baseline, willdraw some contact all againstPhillips.

>> I think Wishman five maybe gota hook in there, got away with it,got around Phillips.

>>The defensive battle here so far, too.

Olson's shot not there.

>> You have twoteams that are high-scoring teams,as you had mentioned.

Johnston, numberone in 5A at 67 points per game.

>>Muller will go up andget it.

Now Zeneca driving and going to be fouled,and this is going to be the secondon Ari Phillips.

>>Muller wins thatbattle for the loose ball, gets itout to Wishman five andthat's a lot of defenders.

Gets herselfto the free throw line.

>> And, the free throw is goodby Ava Zediker.

She has three.

Dowlingwill go to their bench for the firsttime.

Macy Harnden will check in forEllie Olson.

And, that occur--Wishman five has four.

Had 34 in thelast game.

>>Place she has challenged her onthe inside.

Shot clockis off.

Let's see if Johnston willhold for one.

Lewis looks to attack.

Now Jenkins house it stripped awayby Trytten.

See if Dowling will hold for one here.

They will.

Here is Trytten, the deep three offthe mark,and with 3/10 of a second, Johnstonwill get it back.

>> I think the crowd maybe had a littlepart in that one.

They started countingdown the clock but it was agood look byTrytten, just came up a little short.

>> That will be the end of the openingquarter,12-10, Johnston.

Let's go to PaulYeager who is standing by.

>>BJ and Laura, how about that firstquarter.

That was something else.

There were some pretty good semifinalsfor a while then things kind of erupted.

Let's take a look.

ForDowling Catholic it wasa game againstAva Zediker.

There is a look at Olson--Zediker from the outside.

Now the turnaroundshot, good combination .

There is Wishman toon the pretty shotfrom 15.

Dragons playedCentennial.

They played in the regular season.

Jenica Lewisand Amani Jenkins step up three.

Shelooks to the crowdand says thanks for the inspiration.

Take a lookat thisJenica Lewis three and that was a bigshot is Johnston won thatcontest 61-42.

I hope you've beenable to get your breath caught becauseI was tired watching it from up here.

You are the ones working.

>>Well, we are just enjoying it.

What a game it has been, 12-10 butwhat is really standing out to meis the rebounds.

Johnston hasoutscored Dowling Catholic 13-4 through thefirst eight minutes.

>>That is amazing and five of those, offensive rebounds aswell so they have given themselvesanother chance on offense every timethey pull an offensiverebound to get more points but I amtelling you what, it was an electricfirst quarterand I think the crowds are into it andthis place is packed.

>> Let's seeif things settle down here.

>>They might after that first quarter.

You kind of get the first quarterto run out that nervous energy andnow you settle back andplay basketball.

>> On the floor for basketball,Jenkins, Lewis and the Phillips sistersas Jenkins,Virginia Tech recruit air mailed oneto friendsin the stands.

>> Sometimes that happens andjust maybe a little in decisionas you are looking at somebody wantto get the ball too, think betterof it.

>>Zediker high off the glass can't getthe ball.

Dragons andtransitionunderneath and Daya Phillips.

What adime by Lewis.

>> That is what shedoes so well.

She sees the floor and thenPhillips just cutting right down themiddle.

Nobody picked her upand Lewis saw her right away and fireda bullet.

> > >>Katie Muller back onthe floor.

Here is Lewis.

Out at the top, Jenkinswith the left hand looking to driveit in against that zone, can't getout the ball.

>> Mullerback there protected the rimso you could turn her and know thatyou are going to have some help onthe backside.

>> Here is Muller , fouled by Jenkins.

That will be her first.

Layla Trytten backout onto the floor for the maroons.

Harnden.

>> Trying to get some screen set up topto get somebody open on theperimeter.

>>Zediker for three.

We have not seena three go through yet which is strangefor thesetwo teams.

They are among the bestin the state and three-point shooting.

>> Dowling makes almost a game, andJohnston, right around six per game.

>> Olsonout in front with at times a teammate.

Trytten for two.

>> Perfect managementof the fast-break as you get out andwait for thedefense to fly by and drop off a nicepass to a teammate.

>> Phillips again in the paint will challenge.

Can't that--get this one to roll.

Muller withthe board andwill bring it ahead.

Again, each team knows each otherreally well.

The deep three byMuller, can't get this one to fall.

Olsonwith the rebound.

>> They had thefloor so spread outthat twoof the smaller players were inside reboundingposition.

>> Muller, full attack and finish.

>> She needs to get into attack, putit on the floor, takeit and whoever is defending her becauseeverybody else seems to be bottled up.

>> We are tied again.

Phillips again will attack , can'tget the bucket.

Catand mouse game possible , forMuller.

>> A little ball fake and moredid not go for it.

>>Here is Muller's three and this isso strange.

>> I know, both of these teams areusually adept at knocking down three-pointersbut again I think the nervous energy.

>> That threewon't go.

Possession arrow will give it toDowling Catholic.

So, weare collective 0 for 12 for both teams fromthree-point range and no time-outgoing to be taken here by Dowling Catholic.

Dowling0 for 8.

0 for4 for Johnston, and so far,Ari Phillips guidingthe way for the dragons as they tryto pick up another state championship.

>> She has done a job here in this tournamentbut againstDowling, 11 points and 21. so she likesplayingagainst the maroons.

She likes playinghere at the state tournament.

Everybodyelse has been slowed down and shut downfor the dragons but Phillips is aplayer that has stepped up and keptthem in thisball game.

Tied up at 14-14.

Rebounding numbersseem to be picking up forDowling Catholic.

>> They need to slow down a little bit.

They're kind of settling in, but the defenseon bothsides really doing a good jobof not allowing other offense to getin any kind of a rhythm, get the cutsin that they want, get in theposition that they want so defenseright now is dictating this ball game.

>> Alittle pressure on the backcourt hereby Johnston.

Kinnetz back out onto the floorfor the dragons.

Ari Phillips gets a rest.

Inside, Mullercan'tget the bucket.

>> They changed atthat time on defense.

They put Lewison Zediker.

>> Now, Jenkins.

Lewisinside toDaya Phillips, has swatted away byMuller, then afoul called onKatie Muller on the reach.

That will be her first.

>> Theyget Muller on the inside just protecting iton the middle, gets the good blockright there just the region frombehind.

Katie Muller picks upthat foul.

>> Chad Jilek, his 13th season atJohnston.

What a run his dragonshave had.

Jenica Lewis trying to keep it going.

Shehas four in the dragons out in frontagain by two.

>> She thought about that three on the inboundthen put it on the floor with thegood first step and she is so quickup off thebounce toget that shot off.

Nobody can getup there and block it.

>> Muller'sanswer not there.

Rebound.

Phillips willbe found byOlson.

That will be the second teamfoul on Dowling Catholic here in thequarter.

>> Dragons doing a great job on the boards.

They have not given up a lot of offensive boards.

As a matter of fact, just one so it isreally one and done for Dowling Catholic.

They'vegot to do a better job of gettinghigh percentageshots.

They seem to be rushing shotsand shooting it long or coming upshort on it.

>> Inside underneath, Jenkinspicksup the loose ball, and a time-outis going tobe takenby Johnston here.

If you are joiningcoverage via YouTube, tell us for you arewatching from inthe comments and thank you to all ofour viewers tuning in and I think aboutall of those peoplethat are watching.

Laura, the upperdeck has been opened here at WellsFargo Arena as this placeis jampacked.

State championship basketball .

>>It is great just to look around the arenaand see pretty much every seat is filled andthey areloud.

Both teams's fan bases areinto it.

>> Let me tell you here atthe state tournament, it has beena fun week.

All the pageantry, but itis so tough to win down here.

You thinkof some of the accomplishments Johnston is tryingto do.

Back in 2002, the last team towin back to back.

Lewis is deep three, can't get the ball.

Phillips with the board and they getafresh 35.

Zediker knocks it away.

Thisone , three.

With it toMuller,taken right backby Ari Phillips.

Can't get it to go.

>> That is theflurry of action we saw in the firstquarter and there again, got to takecare of the basketball.

When you getthat steal, don't want to get ridof it right away.

Make sure youhave the good pass, the good angleto be giving itto a teammate.

>> Johnston shooting32%.

Dowling right at 30.

Muller'sshot.

Now hereis Kinnetz.

She will pull up.

It isnot there.

One anddone this time for Johnston.

>> Both of these teamsI think they ran so hard in the firstquarter, slowed it down,ran more here at the second quarterbut they are out of gas right now.

Youcan see a couple of players walkingup and downthe floor.

>> Zediker thought about it, just couldnot get the space.

>> Kinnetz is doinga great job on her.

>> That bad rightknee, and the foul is going to becalled on Kinnetz.

That will beher second , the second team foulon Johnston.

>>Kinnetz is started the last coupleof years.

As you mentioned, has thatknee issue, has been playing withit.

Zediker got a little too aggressive withthat kneeand sent her to the floor.

>> Maroonswill play it in.

Zediker looksto drive-in on Jenkins.

Ithit.

>> Looking at that matchup youhave to say okay, put it on the floorand take it inside because you'regiving up inchesto Jenkins.

Step backand knock down the three.

How about thefreshman coming out with an answer.

>> Kalbknocking it down.

Now maybe we aregoing to start tosee a little bit more from the outside.

>>Sometimes when you see those go throughit takes the pressure off and youstart seeing both teamslined them and just like that.

Zediker is kind of found the rhythmand understanding they're giving her alittle separation.

She can give that little jab step and stepback and lining up for a three-point shot.

>> Now, it is Johnston who will slowit down.

>>Shot clock, game clock just aboutthe same.

>> Lewis, the three, not there.

Rebound,Muller down to two seconds and thatwill be the end of the first half.

Dowling Catholic has a one-point leadfor the first 16 minutesin the five a championship.

Let'sgo to Paul Yeager.

>> Thank you verymuch in there, BJ and Laura.

What agreat first half andyou heard BJ mention about the crowd.

Normally on Saturday around wherewe are seated is where we havesome people.

We have fans that if I could I would turnaround to all of them and they would cheer.

They are seeinga fantastic ball game right here betweenDowling and Johnston, socoach Kristin Meyer I think is whowe are talking to.

You've been inthis position before against Johnston.

A littlehold on the three-point shotsearly on but then all of a sudden thingshave started to turn.

>> We just hita couple.

I think the first three Ava hit gaveher a little confidence so she's feeling it.

Thosefirst threes are big for us then we'vegot to stop on the defensive end.

>> In this championship game nervesor something.

This is somethingyou are going to address herewhen you go in the locker room?

>> Actually,no.

I thought we played pretty well.

We are playing one of the best teams inthe state.

I thought we defended well.

Offensively I thought we had prettygood patience early on.

I think now both teams have settled alittle bit.

I'm not sure if it isnerves are a lot of energy but I thought wehada really good first half and now wejust have to sustain and make surewe don't give up any runs in the second half.

>> Youtold me yesterday when I said you pack--have to jump out.

You said we don'thave to jump out wehave to contain and make plays.

>> Wegot a little cold on offense.

We gotsome stops when we needed themso we are really happy with how weare playing so far.

>> Thank you somuch, Coach.

Thatis hadcoach of the Dowling Catholic maroons,Kristin Meyer.

Trying to get thisthing over for the maroons is a go intothe break.

We talk about the pageantry.

Wetalk about all these wonderful thingsthat happen .

It is been a great yearof state champions.

Let'snow have one of the great things, theparade of champions.

Let's meet themall from around the state.

>> Ladiesand Gentlemen, one of thegreat traditions of the Iowa stategirls basketball tournament is topay tribute to all of the state championsfrom the previous year.

Ladies andGentlemen, the paradeof champions presented by the Iowabankers Association.

We start today'sparade biteintroducing the state championships PleasantValley won in 2024.

The Spartans won championships involleyball, track and field, cross-country,softball and golf.

Because many ofthe girls on --our multi-sport athletes we will interest--introduce them together with hercoaches.

Kenny Wheeler is the volleyballcoach.

Amanda Hughes coaches the softball team.

Cross-country is coached by Jane Wheeler andthegolf teamis coached by Sean Ken Broo.

Congratulations tothe Spartans on anamazing year.

Let's meet the rest of our state championsnow beginning in basketball.

The defending5A champions could not be in attendance todaybut congratulations to Chad Jilekand the Johnston dragons.

Class to a champions,the Wolverines with coach Bruce Dall.

The class for a state champions, CoachPJ Sweeney,and the Clear Creek them on the Clippers.

Champions of class 3A,the Solon Spartans and coachJamie Smith.

champions with coach Wheatley.

Honoring the champions in softballthe class 4 A champions are the Wildcatscoached byJim flaws.

The 2 Asoftball champions, Coach James lawsand the Bulldogs.

Back to back championsin class3 A, the Raiders from Williamsburg withcoach Adam Bernie.

The champions of class 1 A, Coach Shelley Streetgoal and the savages.

Moving to soccer, the back to backchampions of class 2 A, the Mustangswith coach Dan James.

The class1 A champions, Coach Randy Davis andthe beta Cubs.

On to wrestling, the champions ofclass 2A, raccoon River Northwest and coach JamesBascaglia.

nowlet's meet the 2024 volleyball champions.

The class 3 A champs, Coach Willems andthe MountVernon Mustangs.

Champions of class2 A the Denver cyclones and coachJamie Johnston.

The back to back champions inclass 1 A, the Christian Eagles and coachMichelle quick.

Moving to swimming and diving, the2020 for swimming and diving champions,Coach Paul Yuriand the Dowling Catholic maroons.

This year's adaptive swimming champions withcoach Worcester.

First are the 3 Hchampions, the Tigers and coachMuller.

From class 1 A, the Saint Anne's saints.

The 2 H champions, the Bulldogsand coaches Josh flaws and Erica Trudeau.

2024 para track and field champions fromIowa city West, theTrojans and coach Mike Parker.

Movingto bowling, the 2 A bowling champions,the Chiefs and coach Muller.

The 3Achampions coach Bader and the cougarsfrom Kennedy.

The class 1 A champions,Coach Brad Weber and the storms.

Meeting the individual bowling champions,the 3 Abowling champions,Lacey Smedley and Brandon Steen.

Theadaptive bowling champion from Waverleyshow rock, CoachCaitlin will free.

Moving to cross-country,champions and 3 A.

1 A cross-country champions coach MartyDalton inthe Cardinals.

The 2 A champions, Coach Lynette Pauland themid-prairie Golden Hawks.

Here are the individual championsin cross-country starting in 4 A, fromDallas, Piper messily with coachesJustin dropper andHeather Everly.

The two a champion.

The one a champion from CouncilBluffs Saint Albert Willie Dentonwith coachBob Weidman.

Turning totennis, the 218 champions,theDowling Catholic maroons.

The class 1 A team champions, the palletdots withcoach David pushed up.

The class2A champions.

Moving to golf, the class 2A championsthe cougars withcoach Josh Huger,working with the team also is2A medalist.

The class 3A champions, Tigers.

Walking withthe team is individual medalistDarryn Moore ball.

Champions of class 1A, EasternValley River Hawks.

And 4A medalist, Lauren withcoach Chris James.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the state champions from 2024 and2025.

Congratulations to all of the schools,athletes, and coaches.

>> Oh, yeah, I saw that team.

They wonthe statetitle.

That's goodto go down memory lane.

That's something I've donefor years, great to see it.

Thanksfor the introduction and bringing all thoseteams.

We still havehighlights on a special interviewcoming up next here on our statewidecoverage on Iowa PBS.

> >> Halftime here at Wells Fargo Arena.

Here at halftime of the state championshipgame.

We are going to have a conversation nowwithMackenzie Riley, and she isthis year'sscholarship winner.

>> I truly do.

I've been around Iowa girls high schoolmy whole life and around high schoolso I truly understand the meetingand I feelso much gratitude for this award.

>> Your dad is the activities directorthere and he'shad youat many different events but you'veseen many different sports.

You yourself areintact.

>> Yes, I run the400 and track.

That is my big event.

All versions of the four, the sprint medley,four by four.

That is mybig race.

>> Track season just getting startedhere in the preseason.

You also dosome music things andyou like to sing.

>> I do.

I reallylove music.

I really enjoyed choirat my school because it's agreat way to connect with people.

Creating music with people createsreally strong connections.

>> There is a beauty of your schoolyou get to do many things.

You've done some community servicethere.

>> A lot of my community service hasbeen through my church youthgroup.

We do a lot of different staff.

We also liketo travel.

A couple of summers agowe went to Alaska and serve therewhich was life-changing experienceand we go up to the cities to feedmy charging --starving children.

Through youth group and national honor Societycommunity club I've gotten involvedwith different fooddrives and that sort of thing so thatsort of thing.

>> You are getting close to graduation.

You are heading north toNorthern Iowa.

>> That is 100% right.

I have a strongpassion for working with kids.

I workwith themall summer long for my job and justhave a lot of really strong influencesin teaching and coaching in my lifeand I hope to do the same and passthat influence that I had when I wasa kidand still today that influence I'mgetting.

>> Wecould really go crazy and make you nameyour favorite teacher but we won'tput you in the spotlight there.

Whenyou go through the scholarship processit isa very difficult thing.

What you think stood outabout you to the interview committee?

>> I think for me, I have a very strongvalue of empathy and I really live mylifetrying to help others do what is best forothers, recognize othersand reallyI did make that a point in my interviewthat Iknow I'm an empathetic person andI value others feelings.

That is abig way how I live my life.

>> I thinkthat is what the committee likesand that is what the Iowa girl is allabout.

When you hear this Iowa business doyou think of yourself as oneof them?

>> I think in a way.

I started offhigh school is not a veryconfident person at all.

I think alot of females are not confident inhigh school but I had a lot of reallystrong influences, coaches, teachers,my family, my friends that reallyinfluenced me and made me the personI am todayto be someone who resembles more ofan Iowa girl who is confident in hersports or academics,all her other areas and I truly owethat to the people who have mentoredme throughout high school.

>> As you leave and get ready, say youare going to makethe graduation speech?

Would you sayto the other girls looking up to you?

>> I think believing in yourself.

It's very hard.

It was hard forme, too butyou are capable andas soon as you trust the fact thatyou are capable, that is when youreally start to accomplish things.

>> All right, Mackenzie Riley,congratulations on the scholarship.

Thank you so very much for coming up hereand visitingwith us and great to meet you.

>>You as well, thank you.

>> Mackenzie, thankyou very much and we are going togo back down nowas we continue our halftime coverage.

Whenwe come back,we will see if they finish sweepingthe floor.

We will see if there is a coach downthere.

We will talk to head coachChad Jilek in a minute.

Dowling leadsJohnson.

> >> Dowling Catholic leads Johnston 20-19.

Coach of the Johnston dragons ChadJilek joins us now.

Coach, very balancedscoring for your team.

What do you like about that firsthalf foryour squad?

>> We did say that athalftime, that we were balancedin our scoring but we have not takenadvantage of what they are tryingto do defensively.

They are just putting Ellie Muller inthe middle of the lane and we talkedaboutit in the first half with our girls.

We arejust not doing a good job of takingadvantage of the opportunities wehavewhen theydefend like that.

>> Shooting from threea little icy.

Does that matter?

Isthat is in this game?

As acoach, what you think about that?

>> Dowling is defending really well.

The defense isright there.

I would not say any of our shots are terriblebut we'vegot to find a different way to scorethan just shooting threes.

>> What is the look in their eyesright now, do you like the look?

>> Oh, yeah.

I camein the locker room they were clappingand cheering and talking about whatthey want to do in the second half differentlyso I think theyare excited.

We were down in the second half inboth games that we played and we came backandwon so this game is not going to beany different.

>> I appreciate your time.

Thank you.

That is head coachChad Jilek on his 50th birthday.

Let's takea look atthese first half highlights.

It was thebattle of ariversesAva.

Philip skips the feed.

Let's take alook now at whatAva Zediker is done.

There is the crossover,drive-in .

Ava is onewe talked aboutin the pregame show.

She can takeover the game because she can makeshots like that.

Lifted the lid offthe basket there.

Those shots lookreallygood as Zediker has 10 first halfpoints.

We havea look right here.

As you can see,the field goal shooting just not quitethere.

2 of 10from three.

Offensive rebounds for Johnston much morein their favor.

Rebounds, Johnstonwinning.

If you look at stats, whatdo the statstell you about the game?

You two have agood second half.

>> Thank you verymuch.

It tells us that these two teamsknow each otherreally welland Laura, who is going to shake it freein the second half?

>> You know, Ithink one thing when we were lookingat the stats when we got them, theone thing we noticed thatEllie Muller is doing agreat jobdefensively.

She has pulled 10 reboundsbut shedoesn't have any points.

I kind of agreewith coach off at 11.

You've got to take what the defenseis giving you.

That was one of thekeys we talked about with Johnston'sdon't force that offense.

See whattheyare giving you.

Go ahead and takeadvantage of it.

>> Jenkins will go inside to Phillips whowill get the bucket and give Johnstonthe lead.

Ari Phillips now leading the way witheight for the dragons.

She is joinedon the floorby Lewis, Zediker, Jenkins and Kinnetz.

Driving itin his more brought up alongthe baseline.

Now,here is Ellie Muller looking to workon Jenkins, trying to bully her wayin and Jenkins says no.

11 on theshot clock is thatgoes out of bounds.

On the floor for Dowling, the startingfive, Ellie Muller, Layla Trytten,Ellie Olson, Katie Muller.

>> You go up against one another andJacobs won thatbattle.

>> Johnston by one and with the ball.

Phillips all the way in the paint.

The kick out to Lewis.

She will driveit in.

Lewis' shot, good.

>>Lewis is so good when she puts theball on the floor.

She keeps her eyeslooking to see where the defense iscoming from and she saw Mullerstep up and she shoots that littlefloater.

>>Zediker working in on Lewis, tries todraw contact, goes nowhere.

Dragonsin transition.

Kalb, three.

>> You mightwant to get a time-out here if youare the Maroons.

You don't want thismomentum to get away from you.

>>Johnston withtheir largest lead , 7-0 run tobegin the second half.

>> At the push up the floor so theypulled the rebound.

They push up thefloor.

They get the defenselocked in.

Defense did not come out in transition.

What a great look by Jenkinsto be able to find Kalb over there.

That is the run.

If youare Johnston,that is the kind of response you want to comeout of the locker room with rightthere and set the tone for the second half.

>>Johnston had only seven points inthe second quarter.

They've got sevenalready.

That is how explosivethey are.

>> And, it was just a grind in thefirst half,and the defenses dictated how thefirst half went.

Nowall of a suddenthe dragons got things rolling.

>> Afterthe time-out taken by Dowling Catholic,how might they gettheir offense going?

>> They can't force things.

They havegot to run a good set here.

They'vegot to work the ball around, not stand around.

Theyseem to be standing and waiting for somebodyto take some kind of action, and itis usually Zediker that they waitfor.

>> They are leaving Jenkins outsideto guard EllieMuller.

Jenkins gets her pocket pickedby the freshman, Kalb.

To the rack.

And one.

>> That just all comes from being slowandstaying on offense.

They did not do anythingout of that time-out.

They get thepickright here, ball going the other way and sheisgoing to take it wire to wire.

>>Now they will pick uptheir first team foul.

Trytten will pick up her first.

That free throw, in and out, Kelli Kalb.

Dowling needs something here.

>> Yeah, they are certainlynot in any kind of rhythm, out of sorts on offense, continueto get that dribble drive but thedefense is jammingup the middle.

>> Ball poked away.

Turnover by the Maroons.

That defense is still there for Johnston.

>>They're coming out, jamming up themiddleand doubleteaming.

You can see hard it was to find anybody thatwas open on offense.

>> Johnston defensively is not lettingEllie Muller get any type ofopening.

>> That is a huge key.

Sheis handling the board.

She is doingthat part just fine, man in the middleon defense.

Theyneed her to score, and they have gotto find ways to get her.

>> Buries the triple.

Her first bucket of the game and thelargest lead by Johnston is thereon the12-0 run to begin the late half.

>>That is a huge bucket for Kinnetz.

Zediker let's traffic go, finds thethree and buries it.

>> That is alot of poiseright there for the senior.

Saw the defenseflying ather,just wait until she flew by.

That wasa much-needed bucket for the Maroons.

>>Here is Jenkins.

Inside, Lewis.

>>They are moving so well without thebasketball rightnow.

They felt that double-team, and theyare cutting to the hoop.

Good assist,too, bite Jenkins tobe able to know that the double-team wascoming, and looking for a teammateto help her out.

>> Dowling startedthis game0 from--for eight from three-point range.

Theyhit their last three.

Zediker has taken allof them.

Out ahead, Jenkinswith the left-hand play.

>> Not gettingback on defense.

You get that shot, they are missingit.

They are kind ofhanging their heads.

You got to hustleback and get in position.

>> The leadnowat 12,and Kristin Meyer gets atime-out here.

Let's go inside the huddle.

>>No more guard to guard ball swings.

We have to guard better down there.

We will go diamond down there.

AC has got 10.

You guys are goingtohave to talk yourself then box out.

Chicago.

Let's go Chicago.

Hey,we have got to get downhill.

We havegot to get downhill, let's go.

>> Thanksto each head coach for making up.

We will be hearing fromboth of them during the late halfhere.

35-23.

3:32to play in the third quarter.

>> They'regoing to change some things up onboth ends but thelast thingshe says was we've got to get downhill.

However, that is very difficult todo againstthis Johnston defense the way they areplaying it.

They're looking to drive.

Every time they go in they are not drivingwith a purpose.

They're going in,waiting for them to get slow downthen taking them back out.

>> Out ofthat time-out,Macy Harnden will check into the game.

Jenkins,three, no.

Kalb can't track it down.

AvaZediker, 15 points, has been carrying theload again for Dowling Catholic.

>> Again, if they do try to put theball on the floor,see if they can get inside, is kindof the main purpose and that is howthey run their offense.

>> Looking for her first basketof the night, guarded tightly by Jenkinswho has done a terrific job walking downthe junior.

Here is Tryttenalong thebaseline.

Dowling Catholic will hold possession.

>> Jenkins is getting position onMoeller andnot allowing her to go right or left,so she has done a nice job.

More needsto figure out a way to get on one sideof her or the other so she can step by.

>> Moeller will stop.

Jumpshot.

Leftshort.

>> As soon as the ball comes off the rimit isa pass to the outlet and up off the floor.

That is how quickly they can do it.

>>Zediker in the paint.

No.

>> And,we are going to see a foul called againstDowling Catholic.

>> This is just textbookfast-break.

Outlet, couple ofdribbles.

Find thegutter.

Go for the hoop.

>> Katie Muller called for the foul.

That is her second, the second teamfoul herein the quarter.

She exits stage right.

Harnden back in along with Olson, Anderson,and Ellie Muller for Dowling Catholic.

Ball goesto Jenkins.

What an attempt by Jenkins.

She just powered her way inandwill now go to the line to shoot two.

>> That shows you.

She picked up the loose ball, surveyedthe floorand set all right I'm just going tochallenge everybody.

I'm putting my headdown going to the hoop and she went hardand that was very tough to tryto stop her, sensor to the free throw line.

We have not had a ton of free throwsin this ball game .

>> It is beena season forAmani Jenkins.

Her sister, Brooklyn,battling cancer, diagnosed right at the beginningof the season.

Teams throughout the central line andMetro league with Don shirtshonoring Amani Jenkins'ssister, Brooklyn.

She'sdone that, a lot of things in between,a lot of basketballand we hope for thebest for Brooklyn and all of thosesuffering from cancer, no question.

>> Great support from the basketballcommunity in general.

Everyone theyhave played, everybody participated,were shirts, Jenkins name on the backof those T-shirts.

Some fans broughtteddy bears, some fans brought flowers.

Just a great tribute that this is allabout family.

Everybody is in the basketball communityand everybody is pullingfor Brooklyn.

>> Lead at 12 for Johnston.

Harnden for three, got it.

>> Harnden going in off the bench,35% three-point shooter.

It is a bucket that the maroonscertainly needed.

>> Closing seconds of the quarter, and Phillips willget that one to roll through.

>> Herforces so strong when she goes up sheis able to hang in the air, absorbsome of that contact.

>> Now in double figures with 10.

Zediker at the foul line to Mullerleaning in to Jenkins and now will goto the foul line to shoot two.

>>Continue to try to isolate thatone-on-one game with more than Jenkins.

Jenkins is had the best of it formost of this third quarter, and more,able to finally get her ina little bit deeper, get a shot offand then draw the foul.

>> This is where Dowling cantry to inch their way back into thegame is at the foul line, or gettingthere.

You have to make them.

And, it is a no go forEllie Muller .

>>It is been tough to even try to getanypoints on the board.

When you getthat opportunity from the free throwline you got to take advantage ofit.

You have got to not goes down.

>> Shot clock is off.

Eight secondsto go in thethird quarter.

Lewis, and a legal screen up top calledagainst Jenkins.

And, that will be her third.

>>And, they are going to get her outof the ball game only five secondsleft but you have to believe she willprobably sit on thebench for a good part of the startofthe fourth quarter.

They don't wanther to pick upstart number four.

You go rightout her, try to draw that quick fourth foul.

>> Here isTrytten at the horn.

Left short.

Thatis it for the third quarter.

How aboutthis, a20-point third quarter for Johnston asthey lead it by 11, 39-28.

We have a chance to catch up withthe North Forkcheerleaders who are getting intothe spirit in between games by adding alittle flair and inspiration.

Pinkclothespins provided by the Iowa girlshigh school athletic Union andsharing with playersand coaches.

High again, everyone.

I am BJ Shabin.

How about this, Johnston, 9 for 10from the field and that third quarter.

>> They madesome great adjustments in the lockerroom at halftime andtheir coach that they like the demeanorof this team.

They got their offensegoing right away.

Dowling has not been able to answer atall and you'vegot to like the defense of the dragons.

>> It is we take a look at it herefor thefourth quarter,for Dowling Catholic how do you clawyour way back into this downby 11?

>> Again I think you can't forcethings.

You can't force the offense.

They continue to try to turnthe corner.

As Coach Meyer said, we've got toget downhill.

Yeah, you've got toget downhill but you gotto be selective about it.

When youget in there, take a look out to the wing.

See if you can find ateammate out on the perimeter readyto shoot it.

They've got to get some looks andsome high-percentage shots to getthem going.

They've got to have a good start tothis fourth quarter.

>> This isthe first of two championships tonight onIowa PBS.

Coming up at 8:00 tonightyou've got Mount Vernon taking onDubuque Catholic.

Read Wells and Elle Ruffridge will have that call tonightcoming upat 8:00.

Here we go to the fourth quarter.

39-28, Dowling with the ball and needingto find offense.

Muller leftit short, got a rebound back.

Ball pickedup by Phillips, public whistleas Phillipshits the deck.

>> That ball gets tipped, and it isgoing the other way,but you get yourself into position,use that power dribble.

Back it up alittle bit, give a ball fake to get thedefender up in theair.

The >> Trytten will pick up her second.

Here is Kinnetz for three.

>>Kinnetz just comes into a ball gameand makes a difference.

Eye she certainlydoes.

She missed most of the regular seasonwith that right knee injury.

And now, she will be called for afoul.

That will be her third,as Ava Zediker will go to the line.

>> She goes over to the bench, butCoach Jilek is going to leave herin.

She has really done a good job.

Shemoves the street so well and so quickly, staysright withAva Zediker as she is making all of herspin moves.

>> 0 for their last three isDowling Catholic from the foul line.

>> This is an opportunity to try tocut into thatlead.

>> Dowling now2 of 5 from the line, as Zediker doesconnect.

On the drive, Phillips.

Hereis Lewis.

Zediker will pick herpocket.

Ava Zediker drives and finishes.

>> Shedid not wantto pick up foul number four, so Zedikerwith a nice step through moved to theglass.

>> Kalb left alone.

Can'tdo that, as also for knocks down herthird triple of the night.

>> Nobodycame up to defend her.

She came around off the screen.

Defensedid not come up to contest that shot.

>>Kalb now with 11in the game.

Here is Muller atthe line.

Foul on Lewis.

That will be her first.

>>Kinnetz just stepping out, knockingdown threes, getting out on the fastbreak.

Andthere again,she is always, I guaranteeyou, she is always ready to shoot.

>> Again, the struggles of the linetonight for Dowling Catholic.

Muller looking forher first point can't get it.

>> At this point in time, you look upat the clock, they are in a prettydeep hole.

They have got to figureout ways to get some points on theboard in a hurry.

>> Zediker drives, can't get it tofall.

Olson battles for therebound.

Caught up in traffic.

Now Muller triesto go to Trytten.

That is a loose ball.

Dowling going to take abreath, reset.

Now to Zediker, but afoul first and Kinnetz and that is goingto be her fourth.

45-31.

Kinnetz picks up her fourth.

Can't--forJenica Lewis maybe her offensive game isnot going tonight but her defense hasbeen so strong.

>> Defense has beenthere.

Her hands are quick.

She iscausing a lot of problems for Zediker.

>> Now to Olson.

Ava at thetop three fouled on the three-pointshot by Lewis andZediker will go to the line.

5:25to play.

14-point advantage forJohnston.

Wehave seen some wild comebacks herethis week at the state tournament.

Might there be one in store herefor the maroons?

>> They certainlyhave time todo it.

Enough time left on the clock,and see if maybe the Maroons do somethinga little bit different defensively,see if they can force a few more turnovers, but Johnston does such agreat jobof pushing tempo, getting the ballup the floor, finding cutters.

>> Zediker.

>>That has been a struggle for the Maroons atthe free throw line.

>> Able to knock thisone down.

Now,with 20 in the game for Ava Zediker.

The lead at 12.

Johnston can be rather patientwith the ball now.

>> You can be choosy.

TheMaroons aresitting back on defense.

They're goingto use the clock.

Why not shorten thisgame.

Run that clock.

Finally they comeup and try to initiate.

>> Phillipsdrives and finishes for two.

>> Gotto have help if you come up and initiate,make them put the ball in play.

You'vegot to have some backside help.

>>The threeby Trytten, and a reboundfor Jenkins.

In double figures already with12 rebounds onthe nightfor Amani Jenkins, and a 14-pointlead, and here we go again.

>> A coupleyearsago they put the shot clock in thehigh school basketball so that would helpthe situationwhere you might have teams that wouldpull it out and stall for four minutes.

>> Nowaway from the ball, and this isgoing to be against Dowling Catholic.

AvaZediker has been going off butonly offense tonight for Dowling.

>> Yes,she has been able to get inside, knockeddown a couple of threes, hot at theend of the first half, knocked downa couple, andneeded to have that kind of momentumfrom her and that kind of scoringfrom her in the second half.

>> Jenkins insideto Phillips.

Now they're goingto reset.

Muller comes out to guard .

Ari Phillips will drive it in with herleft hand, not there.

Rebound to Zediker.

Dowling inside, Olson.

>> That isgood break.

Got the easy bucket.

Are you halfto believe Johnson is going to bringit back outon the first thing Dowling does isplay man-to-man all the time.

They're notgoing to go zone.

They need to come outandstart pressuring.

>> That shot byJenica Lewis, and she is hurt.

>>I think she's got a cramp.

That is what I think the Johnstonfans are hoping for, is she is pullingthose Toback--toes back.

These players playingso hard.

Gets that shoulder in frontof the defender, nice kiss off the glass.

>> Now, she will have to check out.

ShesaidI'm okay, I'm going to play.

Nope.

>>Got to waita second.

I think they're going to keep herin.

Nobody came out to help her.

Coach Jilek gets her out of the ball gamenow.

>> So, a rare rest.

She is tellingthe bench yeah.

It was a little bit of a pole.

>> A little cramped.

Theyget dehydrated out here.

They are playing hardand she needs to go over and get rehydratedbut she doesn't get that chance.

Ithink she isgoing tocheck right back in.

>>Trytten for three.

Trytten wasinstrumental in the come back againstMilwaukee Northwest.

>> Trytten has had a really good tournament, 18points in thequarterfinals, three assists in thesemi's.

Going to bring that X factorfor the Maroons.

>> Mullerworking on Jenkins.

Ellie, the reverse, gets the bucket,and one .

It is her first field goalof the night.

Can she thethree-point play?

>> Able to face up.

Got that step.

>> Into the game we go, and Phillips will loseit off her foot.

And, that is right infront ofoffice 11.

>> They were trying to get something setup, take some time, normal ballhandlerjust turns it over.

>> Dating backto the 2022 season, Johnston is 101-2.

When we talk toCoach Jilek, he said yeah, I neverdreamt we would have this kind ofsuccess.

>> Well, and he kind of feelslike this might beone of all the state tournament teams,just might be the best one that hehas had.

>> He isgoing to take a time-outas the lead is trimmed down to eight.

Let's go inside of that Dragon huddleand here what coach Chad Jilek hasto say.

>> No, no.

This game is not over andthe wayyou're going to come up is give up three-pointersor foul on labs.

You are not evenmoving your feet.

You're just throwingyour body into her.

You've got tomove your feet.

Get your knees bentand move your feet.

They're goingto try to go at you for a foul andyou can't foul.

Move your feet.

Itis our ball rightnow.

Hey, hey.

Hey,hey.

We are going to run Indies.

Okay,right here, so they are there.

AmaniJenkins has the screen.

Also to gohard off of it.

You got it, know what you're doing?

A handoff.

Okay let'sgo, yes.

I want you at two.

>> They are goingto try to get some screens set, tryto get a quick bucket off the sidelineout of bounds but going back to thinkingabout they slowedit down, and that is not really thestyle of play.

They brought it out.

They were wanting to burn time offof theclock but thatmaybe has come back to hurt them alittle bit, allowed Dowling to come backinto this ball game and now you have tofight and battlethese last two minutes.

>> The ball gets entered intoJenkins, who is fouled right away.

That's going to be the third teamfoul on Dowling Catholic.

They havea couple morebefore they put Johnston inthe bonus.

>> And, that maybe the strategyof the Maroons.

>> And, a steal byMuller.

Lewis, with the stealand dissent, and the finish.

>> Jenica Lewis, just laying back waiting, anticipating that they were goingto get the ball to Zediker and shejumped into that passing lane andtook it for thetwo that might be one of the nailsinthe coffin.

And just right here they want to get itback out toZediker.

She stayed backand you have got to know where she isat all times because she is so quickand anticipateso well.

>> A foul, and that will be the fourthagainstDowling Catholic.

>> They have to go again here and thatwill put them on the line.

They have toslow the clock down as much ispossible for as long as possible andput them on the line.

>> Kinnetz is going to be bear huggedby Trytten to pick up her third andthat will be the fifth team foul, soKinnetz will come down to the other end,77% onthe season.

So, ready to toethe line.

10 point lead here with 1:38to play and this Johnston team, theywere loaded.

Yes, they lost two really qualityplayers from a year ago.

They still had a very strong nucleuscoming backand during the middle part of the season,Coach Jilekand his staff realized the team wasgetting a littlestressed out so instead of practicing,the coaches took on the Dragon playersin pickleball and set after that youknow, even though they are unbeaten,they kind of relaxed alittle bit.

How about Ellie Muller knocking downthe triple here.

>>Those are things you need to do withyour team midway through the season.

>> Stay connected with Iowa PBSsports no matter where you are watchingfrom.

Join the conversation on Facebook andX and use hashtagIowa PBS sports to enjoy the championshipwith other fans.

Let's go inside that huddlefor Dowling Catholic, as you are down byeight with 1:22to play.

>> She gets rid of it when she passes.

Take a breath.

We geta steal, we are running people over.

If they do free throws,we are going to drive.

You need to setyour flare forKatie.

Here we go.

Get a steal if you can.

>> If they don't get the steal theyare going to get the foul right awaythan talking next play, if theymake the free throws, here is whatwe are going to run and they are goingto be looking for three-point shots.

>>All right.

>> Here comesthe baseline the starting block forthe Johnston dragons.

>> Love this play.

Lewis, who ran the under, will bringit ahead.

Jenna can't--Jenica Lewis lost it in trafficand this will stop theclock asEllie Olson will come down to theother and to shoot two.

>> That isfrustration foul.

You're trying toget something setup, trying to decide you want to pushit, you want to get the bucket orshall we pull it back out.

Just losthandle onthe basketball and turns it over.

>> Also meant six points in the firsthalf, now at the line.

>> On both sides I know both coachesare over there saying box out.

Possession arrow in favor of Johnston.

>> Same strategy holds true.

If youdon't get a steal righthere, foul.

Put them on the line.

Stepback by.

If you are Johnston, takecare of the basketball.

>> That is deflected in midair andnow a foul on Phillips.

AndAri Phillips will pick up foul number two.

This is going toputKatie Muller at the line, a 73% freethrow shooteron the season.

>> They have struggled all game long fromthe free throw line.

You have 1:10 leftin your season.

You've got to stepthe line with confidence.

>> Dowlingtrying to make this a twopossession game.

Now you have twoofficials talking over the scenarioand what the call should have been,orshould be.

Andchance Slagle goes to the Johnstonbench to tell coach Chad Jilek what the callis going to be a nofree throws.

The team is in the bonus.

>> I'm not sure I understand that,because it isfive fouls.

>> Zediker is three off the mark.

Jenkins will track down therebound.

In college, we would normally getan explanation.

And did not get one there.

And, a foul here on Dowling Catholic,so Johnston will come down to theother end to shoot free throws.

>> Ava Zediker wanting to make a bigthree coming off of the screen offbalance, fired it up.

Did not really get a good angle on it.

Had a little more time to be able to getsomething set up, but asJohnston has done all game long, limitthe Maroons to one shot and done,not giving up any offensive rebounds.

>> Kinnetzable to knock it down.

She is in doublefigures with 10.

Olson will attack.

Now toTrytten in the corner with three.

Muller put back rebound not there.

Looseball.

Philip steps out of bounds,so Dowling Catholic will have it backwith 45 seconds to play.

It is a nine-pointgame.

Macy Harnden will now come in forOlson.

>>Harnden has hit a three-pointer.

That'swhy she is in the ball game.

Keepyour eye on her.

>> Four players indouble figures.

This shot knockedaway by Jenkins, and Kalb is going to be fouled byMuller, who will comedown to the other and to shoot freethrows.

>> They faked the handoff, try to goone-on-one against Amani Jenkinsand all night long, Jenkins has donea nice job on more not allowing herto get any position off the dribbledrive, stayed right withher, tidied up against her and Mullerwas not able toget her shoulder, a foot, a step aroundJenkins at allto get any kind of a good look.

>> Kalb knocks them both down.

Here is a three thatis partially deflected.

I had to Lewis, who is going to try tostop the clock away and how aboutthis.

Johnston now can start to celebrate,first team to winthe bigschool class back to back since the2002 through 2005Ankeny squad did it, and the dragons celebrating,Dowling leavingthe floor, and how about this,from bell to bell, Johnston is yourclass 5A estate champ.

--state champ.

>> They have done it.

They were ona missionfrom this time a year ago to repeat aschampions.

They were undefeated, and ableto bring home the title back to back,that is toughto do.

In any sport it is tough toget back to back, and the Johnstondragons have just repeated as statechampions.

>> Itaway forChad Jilek to celebrate his 50th birthday,with a state championship.

>> Theydid it.

It wasall thatthird quarter.

The dragons came outand they outscored the Maroons20-8, and that was the differencein this ball game because everything elsewas pretty even in quarters one, two,and four.

>> Now,championship T-shirts being handed outalong with the hats.

And for Dowling Catholic, another stinging loss.

>> Well, the defense certainly had ananswerin the second half foreverything that Dowling did.

>> Timenow for the announcement of the all-tournamentteam.

>> Presenting the awards are Brent Johnston,president of the Iowa Farm Bureau,and Governor Kim Reynolds.

Joiningthemare members of the IGHSAU Board ofDirectors.

Announcing the all-tournamentteam, from Johnston,Ari Phillips.

From Dowling Catholic, Ava Zediker.

From Milwaukee, Northwest,Romy Crow it.

From Johnston,Jenica Lewis.

From Dowling Catholic, Ellie Muller.

And, the captain of the classfive a tournamentteam,Amani Jenkins,Johnston.

>> Howabout that, Amani Jenkins, two yearsago, moved into the Johnston school districttransferring from Des Moines North,helping the program win back-to-backstate championships, and now is theall tournament team captain.

>> How about the state tournamentfor her.

60 points in the quarterfinals,19 points in the semi's and tonight shehas another18 points --excuse me, sixpoints, 18 rebounds in this ball game.

>> Wow.

Those are somefuture all-stars.

>> Fans, the Iowapork producers would like to presentthe top producer award for the5Achampionship game.

Presenting the awardis Taylor Anderson of the girls athleticUnion.

This year's topproducer, from Dowling Catholic, Ava Zediker.

>> Ava Zediker, named the top producer,and notice time to see the trophypresentation.

>> The5A runner-up, the Dowling Catholic Maroons,and head coach, Kristin Meyer.

Fans, let's hear it for your2025 class 5A champion, the Johnston dragonsand head coach Chad Jilek.

>> Whatelse can you say, but they are the champs.

Nodoubt about it.

>> No doubt aboutit.

They put the exclamation pointon it in the third quarterand made it stand up in the fourthas Dowling tried to make a little bitof a comeback,but here is Amani Jenkins advancing theirteam into that final line onthe bracket.

>> And, the celebration is onfor the Johnston dragons as they bestDowling Catholic 55-44, and we now turn it over to Paul Yeager.

>> The last time Johnston lost a basketballgame was Merch 3rd, 2023.

We are goingto add a couple hundred more daysto that total till they play againin November and December.

They'regoingto be back to back seat champions andwe hope you have enjoyed our championshipcoverage.

Congratulations to bothof our teams, thank you to our crew,and thank you for watching.

Johnston,55.

Dowling, 44.

Day one is done and one more to goon championship Friday night.

>> Funding provided by -- the Iowa Departmentof Health and Human Services encouragesIowansto talk to their doctor or healthcare providerabout vaccines.

Learn more at HHS.

Iowa.

gov, or ask yourhealthcare provider.

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FarmersMutual Hail , America's crop insurancecompany.

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For more than 80 years, Fareway has beenproud to be an activepartof the communities we serve.

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