Class 3A — Maquoketa Cardinals vs. Mount Vernon Mustangs

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Welcome back to downtown Des Moines for our second matchup in tonight's Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union State Basketball Tournament championship doubleheader. Caution. Good game ahead. Make sure you have your safety gear on because we're getting ready for class Three-a in their state title game. Hello everybody. I'm Paul Yeager Iowa PBS is proud to bring you two nights of girls championship basketball on your statewide network. And all 99 of Iowa's counties and worldwide on Iowa PBS. Now, tomorrow, it's a girls high school basketball championship. Tripleheader say that fast for A2A1A they begin at 230. Now let's go courtside. B.J. Schaben Lauren Leonard. They get us ready and they have the call of the three a state championship right now.

Thanks, Paul. It is time for state championship basketball. The class Three-a state state title match features Maquoketa taking on the Mustangs Mount Vernon. I get everyone with Laura Leonard on B.J. Schaben and Laura this matchup. These two used to be conference foes, and now they're going to meet up for the another time here in the state championship.

Yeah, it's going to be an interesting matchup. Mount Vernon going for a repeat from a year ago. And Maquoketa coming off of a semifinal game where they really had to battle. They came back strong in that fourth quarter to get over the hump to get to this ball game.

Let's take a look at their resume, shall we? First up for Maquoketa.

Yeah. Second straight trip here to state after qualifying last year. And as you had mentioned in the four A class and all five starters return. So they are experienced ready to go. Cora Widel is a player that you have to kind of keep your eyes on and Aubrey Kroymann also a player that can light it up.

And how about Mount Vernon.

Defending state champ and 15th trip to the state tournament. Savanna Wright is a player that she can get the ball in her hands. She can do whatever she needs her team to do. Yesterday in the semifinals, she was on fire, knocking down shots from all over the floor and then senior twin Courtney Franck and Taylor Franck. They both play a vital role in this for this team and in this ball game. It is a nice nucleus that they have on this ball club.

Well let's get let's get introduced to the teams. Here's tonight's public address. Announcer Joe Hammond.

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Followed by.

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Five.

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Is count in the middle of the railroad

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town. Thunder and the foul. And I knew there was no turning back.

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Thunder man and raced. And I thought, what can I do?

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Thunder in you. There was no.

Going down.

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Tonight the gems ringing in my heart. The thunder of guns tear me apart. Mount Vernon fans, here come your mustangs.

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Aubree number

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.! He had the time.

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For the Texas. Yeah, Texas and me had fans.

It's now time to introduce the players in tonight's Three-a Championship game. Tonight's team intros are brought to you by Hy-Vee first nonstarters for the Maquoketa Cardinals number one Hailey Veach. Number two. Aubree Dostal. Number three Isabella Hopson. Number four Arabella Wagner. Number five Hadley. Ihrig. Number 12 Ivery. Kluever. Number 20 Kennedy Eggers. The assistant coaches for Maquoketa are Carl Spalding, Mariah Johnson and Brie Arensdorf.

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And now let's meet the Nonstarters for the Mount Vernon Mustangs. Number three Olivia Truitt. Number five Lucy Wischmeyer. Number 14 Ella Wilson. Number 20 Cheryl Teleki. Number 21 Sophia Meester. Number 23 Kinley Nissen. The assistant coaches for Mount Vernon. Are Lindsey Kunec, Aaron Blue, and Abby Tyranus.

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And now, ladies and gentlemen. Are you ready for tonight's starting lineups? For Maquoketa at center, a six foot senior. Number 11, Aubree Kroymann. And for Mount Vernon at guard, A59 sophomore. Number four, Quinn Pershing.

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For Maquoketa at guard, a, five four. Senior. Number 15 Maelyn Kluever. And for Mount Vernon at guard, A, five five sophomore. Number ten Savanna Wright.

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For everything was.

Maquoketa at forward, A58 senior. Number 21 Kendall Kuhlman.

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And for Mount Vernon at guard A, five five senior. Number 11 Taylor Franck.

A stared too long.

For Maquoketa at forward A56 senior number 22 Justice Armbruster.

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And for Mount Vernon at guard A58. Senior number 22 Courtney Franck.

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For Maquoketa at guard A61. Senior number 44 Cora Widel.

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And for Mount Vernon at forward A, 511. Junior. Number 24 Riley Rasmussen.

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The head coach for Maquoketa is Chad Speck and the head coach for Mount Vernon is Jacob Meissner.

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I'd hate to look into.

The officials for tonight's championship game. Our Bruce Kaiser, Brittany Baker, Nathan Widel and the bench official is John Murrow. Welcome a coconut and Mount Vernon to the 2026 Iowa girls basketball state tournament. Class A championship game.

All right. It is the class three, a title game here tonight. Laura. What are the keys?

Well, for Maquoketa, they just need to use the lessons that they learned. They ramped up their nonconference schedule to make them tough. And they learned a lot of things through those outings. And also keep the fouls to a minimum. They got in foul trouble yesterday. They were able to overcome it. But you have to stay out of foul trouble. And then for Mount Vernon, do what they do best. Just keep on keeping on and find the hot hand. Find the hot shooter. Yesterday it was Savanna Wright the quarterfinals. It was Pershing.

So the Cardinals try to strike first and they do. Corey Widel.

Just a very quick offensive set. Widel stayed at the top of the key, got the return pass and started our scoring.

Savanna Wright keep an eye on her. Averaging nearly 18 per game. Taylor Franck off to right. Savannah on the drive. Little pump fake. Can't get it to fall. Widel with the rebound. These two teams last played one another back in 2023, and Mount Vernon has actually won three straight in the series. They lead the overall series 16 to 6 since 2011. But this is two different teams from the last time they played. And now a turnover going to be called against Maquoketa wearing the red uniforms, white numbers trimmed in black. Mount Vernon, the home whites with stangs across the top of the jersey. Franck will hand off to Wright. They'll reset at the top with Taylor Franck. She'll drive with the left hand. A lot of ball movement, but Maquoketa hanging strong with ten on the shot clock. Taylor will look to go to work. Can't get the shot and the rebound comes down to Maquoketa.

Spread the floor and she got a little bump as she went up for that shot. Kind of threw her off a little bit. But they're doing a good job defensively I think confusing Mount Vernon just a little bit.

Armbruster along the baseline tries to kick it to the corner. It's knocked out. It will stay with Maquoketa 18 on the shot clock. For the Cardinals really had to come back in a big fashion against Des Moines Christian in the semifinals. Down by 14 in the second half to come back to win.

And with players in foul trouble.

Kroymann shot not there and the rebound to Courtney Franck.

So a testament to their bench. They got a lot of bench play yesterday and were able to win that ball game.

Pershing fouled on a three-point shot and will go to the line to shoot three. That foul on Kendall Kuhlman as you take a look at Maquoketa head coach Chad Specht and what a job he's done with the program coaching at his alma mater here.

He said he's been to a lot of different places and a lot of different venues, and wasn't always a head coach, but he had to find his basketball fix somehow, and he kind of fell into this. His his home is about what did he say about. thousand feet, 1000ft from the gymnasium. So it's nice that he can just walk over there, unlock the doors and open up practice, let the players in. And I think the return trips from the players to his house, I think happened as well, he said. Especially if there's food in the pantry.

There's three off the mark as Pershing and knocked down. All three came into the game, shooting at 84% from the line. Here's Savanna Wright the dish to the middle to Franck. And how about that banger knocked down by Courtney Franck.

And Wright pushing tempo, trying to find an opening for herself, but Franck fills the middle of the lane. Nice little dish.

And this one going to be kicked in the back court and it will be an over and back violation. Maquoketa trying to say, well, wasn't that off of Mount Vernon, but the officials right on top of it. It'll stay with the Mustangs again out on the floor with Wright, the Franck sisters, Pershing Rasmussen. We should say that the Franck sisters also have a step sister in Savanna Wright. Here she goes. And a bucket for Savannah.

Yeah, she said it just has been so nice to be able to play with her sisters. And they talk a lot of basketball and would love to win a state championship with them.

So Maquoketa down by four here. Widel goes inside to Kroymann. Good ball movement. Armbruster. Yes.

Giving up that baseline and she was able to find her way right to the hoop. A little jump stop and got it right up to the rim. Has the defense slid by her.

Rasmussen going to be tied up on the play by Kroymann of Maquoketa. And the Cardinals will go to their bench with Hadley Ihrig checking into the game.

Inside out. And then you get the baseline as Wright slowly crept out there, a little cautiously, and she was able to blow by right by her.

And a foul will be called on the rebound as Justice Armbruster with the hard box out. And so the Mustangs will get another crack at it. So Franck off to Pershing. Again to work it up. Top. Taylor on the drive in the middle and stepping on the baseline was Taylor Franck.

Rasmussen didn't have it in a great spot and was looking to try to get rid of it. And Franck had dished it off to her, was standing out of bounds when the ball came back to her.

Off to work we go with the Cardinals search of the school's first ever state girls basketball championship, and this one going to be turned over.

Widel looking for somebody to outlet to out of the post, and she was just a little wide of the mark.

That's three turnovers by Maquoketa. Just a two point game. Rasmussen hits the cutter and Pershing will finish it.

Boy. High post play. They got one cutter going one way and then they got the backdoor cut on the other side.

Quinn Pershing getting the scoring going again here for Mount Vernon. Had 21 in the quarterfinals. And off to a good start with five right now. And another turnover by Maquoketa. And a time-out going to be taken by Chad Speck and the Cardinals.

Yeah I think you just have to calm things down right now. They started to get sped up and they were pushing tempo, trying to do things a little too quickly. And that caused a lot of turnovers.

I want to run fan.

Well for Maquoketa Chad Speck, we mentioned coming back to coach at his alma mater. Here's the team that he helped guide to the 1987 state boys basketball tournament. There's coach. And of course, he remembers that opening game in the quarterfinals. They did lose to Perry. And by the way for you Blue Jays that are still out there, he said we would still like a challenge and play you again and do a do over. But he said those are the memories that he built with the team and really wants to to put that in, emphasize that with this group right here.

You know, every, every good athlete, if they can't win a championship, they want a do over. They want to challenge you again and see if they can make a go in their favor. But every good competitor always wants another challenge on.

The community has really rallied behind this group of seniors for the Maquoketa Cardinals, who've been together for a long time. Seven seniors on this roster here's Franck can't get the little bunny. And let's see what the Cardinals do offensively here. Widel looking to attack. Going to be fouled by Courtney Franck her first.

See how quickly that Franck got there and got in position. Because when I looked up it looked like Widel had an easy layup right to the hoop. And all of a sudden there's Franck right in front of her trying to strip her of the basketball.

Kendall Kuhlman back out onto the floor. She will check in for Armbruster. So Eric gets.

A.

Maquoketa good tie up on the play by Wright.

Eric. They consider her that sixth starter. She comes in very early in a ball game, and she has one of their leading rebounders, one of the smallest players on the floor. But she knows how to go to the glass.

Widel underneath gets the roll. Corey Widel with five.

Going strong right through a double team kept that ball low where nobody was reaching and then gets it up quickly.

Wright for three. Franck with the put back and Taylor into the scoring column.

Taylor Franck just kind of hanging around and I think you have to credit Pershing with that. I think she got some fingertips on it. Knocked that one away and knocked it over to Franck.

Cardinals will dump it on in to Kroymann. Ihrig along the baseline. Now the three ball by Kuhlman. That's pure.

She was just waiting out there in the corner. They got the baseline drive and the good kickout.

One point game Mount Vernon in the semifinals as Pershing shot not there. Rebound. Tapped around to belong to Maquoketa. But in the semifinals Mount Vernon got out to a huge lead on Wahlert Catholic and Wahlert able to make a comeback and make it interesting, but Mount Vernon would prevail as Kluever will go to the line now.

A little hesitation and trying that step through on the defense. I believe it was Rasmussen. Maybe that picked up that foul.

They actually gave it to Taylor Franck her first. As we are now tied up at 11.

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As Kuhlman connects. Maquoketa back to their bench. Isabella Hopson a 510 freshman into the game for the first time as she comes in for Kroymann. And now look at this Maquoketa. With a one point advantage, Savanna Wright lofted it up Taylor Franck the Northern Iowa recruit able to track that one down. Taylor in the paint the kick out this three left a little bit long by Lucy Wischmeyer. Also checked into the game.

What great hustle by Ihrig to get that loose ball and kick it out.

Looking to put it on the floor. The drive not there for Kleber and the rebound to Wright. Here's Franck the dump down. Rasmussen will finish it. All five starters have now scored for the Mustangs.

And Rasmussen doing a great job of continuing to move from that high post position down low. Got herself in a great spot to receive that pass.

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Off into the corner to Kuhlman just couldn't handle it. Tremendous pressure that time. By Lucy Wischmeyer. So the Mustangs also rotate in and out, getting some extra bodies back out onto the floor, checking in for the first time is going to be Sophie Meester, a 510 junior. Quinn Pershing back out there along with the Franck sisters and Wright. And we're going to get a call away from the ball here.

Good kick. As they were trying to make that diagonal pass over to Meester, Meester sister Chloe played on the team last year. Great volleyball player. Graduated. Playing at Louisville.

And off to a tremendous start for the Cardinals. They're Franck along the baseline. The kick out to the corner. That's a three. That's good.

Courtney Franck just floats into that corner as she saw the baseline drive happening. She was moving in tandem to get herself open down low.

Four point lead again here for the Mustangs. Ihrig swatted hard by Wright.

A lot of times you pick up a foul on that.

And that will be the end of the opening quarter. Mount Vernon opening up its title defense with a four point advantage. Let's go to Paul Yeager. Who's standing by who?

How about that for some.

Offense in a pretty good first quarter there so far. Thank you BJ. Thank you Laura. And it's kind of a road trip for both of these squads. You could have maybe played it in the middle, but it's still fun to come to the state tournament. Here's where Maquoketa is just off highway 61 in eastern Iowa. As we take a look at the traditional map, and we put a couple of dots in each county, let's light up, shall we? Jackson County for Maquoketa and Mount Vernon there. So they are about 129 miles, 179 for Maquoketa on their trip to Des Moines. Both of these towns have been here before, some just more recently than others. But let's go down to the field for the Iowa Bankers scholarship.

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And the award is presented to a student athlete in each class who excels on the court, in the classroom, and in their community. The recipients receive a $1,000 scholarship to the college of their choice. The 2026 Student Athlete Achievement Award winner for class three A is Zoe Allen from Williamsburg High School in Williamsburg, presenting the award is Todd Shaw with Hills Bank in Iowa City. Congratulations, Zoe, on receiving this scholarship. And thank you to Todd with Hills Bank in Iowa City and the Iowa Bankers Association for their sponsorship of this award.

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State championships here on Iowa PBS, you can scan the QR code or call the number on your screen support Friends of Iowa PBS. Congress recently cut 3.5 million in federal funding, can scan the QR code, or call the number on your screen to support friends here at Iowa PBS, 1612 Mount Vernon with the lead with Laura Leonard on B.J. Schaben here courtside at Casey's Center. As you're watching the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union State basketball championships as Guess Who's Cooking, Savanna Wright knocks down a triple.

Boy and right over the taller Kroymann. She was able to get a little dribble to her left, get some momentum, and there's a tough shot. And Widel thought she was fouled as well. But things are heating up now.

Offensively out on the floor for the Mustangs. You've got Pershing Wright, the Franck sisters and Rasmussen and a foul going to be called on Widel. As Savanna Wright took the brunt of that on the court for Maquoketa, you have Kroymann Kluever Kuhlman Armbruster and Widel. And the free throw for Savanna Wright misses came into the game shooting right at 76%. She had 24 points in the semifinal victory against Dubuque. Waller. A six point advantage now for Mount Vernon. And a turnover here by Maquoketa. That is turnover number six.

And Kluever just kind of airmailed that one. And again I think the defense speeds you up a little bit, makes you alter your passes and makes you be offline in where you want to and what direction you want to go.

Taylor Franck the kick out to her sister Courtney. Ten on the shot clock. Here's Taylor caught up off the Pershing will drive and draw contact with four seconds on the shot clock. That's a foul on the floor.

Constant movement. Constant motion by Mount Vernon. But the defense really hanging with them. They're talking. They're communicating making it very tough to try to find anything that they like offensively.

That's Kuhlman. Second, the three by Wright. Good night. Savanna Wright.

Well they found something they liked right there. Just a little inbounds play. And Wright floats to the open spot.

The kick to the corner. That's Armbruster to go inside to Widel. Now the.

Three.

Board for the Cardinals.

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And a steal up top nearly by Franck. The answer there for Kleber. Her first bucket of the game for the five four senior.

Kluever just stood at the top of the key and waited for the ball to rotate back to her.

Lead back down to six. Franck with the hard cut Pershing left open from the wing. A foul before the shot boy when the Mustangs Laura hit the paint. They're causing all sorts of havoc.

Yeah, they really are. And there's a hard foul right there. That's where a lot of the offense originates. They get that dribble drive, they draw the defense in, and then they're looking to kick out to the perimeter.

Kroymann picked up the foul. The team's third for Maquoketa here in the quarter. Olivia Truitt into the game. Now for Mount Vernon. Look at Savanna Wright working the dribble. Magic.

She tried to go in one way and was shut down. Kept that dribble alive. Brought it back out. Tried another path and found it.

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Right hand.

Maquoketa trying to figure out an answer here. Kroymann caught up in traffic and called for steps.

Just that defense swarming all over the place, flashing into the lanes, packing it in in the middle made it very difficult for Kroymann.

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In the Mustangs trying to bring home another state championship. Won it last year. Truitt off into the corner. Heavy thunderstorms rolling through the Des Moines area right now as Franck can't get the shot to fall and tough defense that time. By Kroymann to pick up the loose ball.

Looking to try to get it inside and they just can't get it in to Kroymann. And when she does get it, they're sagging in.

Kleber's jumper not there. And what a scouting report put together as that is going to be a turnover here in backcourt Courtney Franck just lost her handle.

Yeah I think Kroymann swatted at it as she was going by just a cursory like hey I'm going to give it a go. And she did get a piece of it. As Franck was making the dribble and the move.

Boy, there's been some heavy emphasis here by the Mustangs packing the paint.

Every time it goes inside. Kroymann Wright is is sagging in and helping out defensively, making her kick it back out to the perimeter.

Widel on the drive. Gets the tough shot. Wanted an and one.

Boy that was a tough shot. She muscled that one up and trying to keep her team in this one.

Yeah she has nine. Mustangs again trying to stretch the floor really making the Cardinals work. Here's Wright. What a finish.

When she put that on the floor and she got into the paint, she covered it up as she was taking it to the hoop, protected that ball on her way up.

The five five sophomores on a scoring spree. She's got 13. Ihrig with the long shot. That one went flat. As the Mustangs will charge it ahead. Brings three. Not there. Rebound comes down to Kroymann.

Getting some good looks. And part of it is because Maquoketa is having a hard time getting back in defensive transition. So they're getting some open looks.

Kroymann will spot up and take that jumper.

That's a good spot for her right now. Getting her out to the free-throw line away from all the traffic. Get her a good look where she can face up and fire away.

Maquoketa picked up the school's first ever state tournament win this year. They rolled their way up to winning in the semifinals to put them in position for the school's first ever state title in basketball. But they've got some work to do. Down by six as that three rolls off the mark. Kluever into the kickout as things slow down here for Maquoketa and a travel going to be called up top against the Cardinals. Justice Armbruster now back into the game.

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This is oh come on.

As each coach wanting to go back to their bench Isabella Hopson will check back in.

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With the officials just trying to keep it straight as Bruce Kaiser, Brady Baker, Nathan Widel, you know, Laura they're all from Orange City and they had a nice carpool here to Des Moines. I'm sure.

That's what you had. Teamwork. Everybody's got to have a little teamwork.

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And Maquoketa playing defense with a little extra sense of urgency right here. Right before the half.

Oh, Taylor Franck shook free the defender, but just couldn't cap it off.

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Seems like Mount Vernon, no question, is playing at a different speed in this first half.

And Maquoketa trying to match him.

The foul going to be called here on the Mustangs.

Box.

And again this is a ball game where not a lot of fouls have been called. They're letting them go, letting them play through it. And it is tough going when you do try to get inside right around the rim.

On the deck with clever Ihrig will take that shot and hit.

She is a force coming in off the bench as we talked about. They figure she is the sixth starter on this team. Gets a lot of minutes as much as a starter would, and she said she really when she's on the bench she studies the game for those minutes that she's on the bench and understands what she needs to do when she comes into a game. That's a big bucket.

About a three second difference between the shot and game clock. The Mustangs are going to work and try to melt this one down. Here's Franck too hard on the shot. Rebound on the floor. Who wants it? Maquoketa does down to three seconds left in the half. Ihrig at the horn. Can't get it. And it's a three point ball game as we've played one half of basketball here in the class three, a state championship. What a half.

What a half. And really what a play by Waddell at the end. She couldn't get to the ball. She reaches down and slaps it forward. So they at least had the opportunity to get a last look before the buzzer sounded.

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

All right, you two. You know, in this double header night, you got to take a breath. After that first quarter. That was our first half. That was a pretty good exciting. Let's talk to Mount Vernon coach Jacob Meissner coach. All right. First I got to say the girls wanted me to ask you about your defensive preparation. You get all there. Tell me about your defense that your team's doing.

Yeah. So obviously, I think we're a little outmatched size wise. So we're going to have to be physical at the point of attack. Pressure the shell with post entry passes. Try to do our best to have early position on 11 and 44. So they can't get steals. And then what is our helpside doing. So it's kind of a three person job. Ball pressure being great on the actual post defender and then making sure our helpside is visible to the passer.

All right, let's talk offense. Savanna Wright she's been big for you all year. Coming up big here in the first half. What's she doing that you like.

Yeah I think she's just being Savannah. I mean this is the moment she's been waiting for. She's put a lot of work into this moment. She is just really talented. And these moments don't make her shy or make her tentative. So she's she's she's been waiting for this one.

All right, coach, thank you so very much. Appreciate the time.

Awesome. Thanks, Paul.

All right. And that is always fun to hear that that's what the girls wanted me to ask is about his defensive stance. But now let's go back down to the floor because we have some special awards that we're going to present to you here at our halftime on Iowa PBS.

At this time, the.

Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union would like to present some special awards. Presenting these awards today is IGHSAU Executive Director, Erin Gerlach. Today's honorees are being escorted by the 2026 recipient of the Wayne Cooley Scholarship. Kate Harthorne of Lynnville. Sully.

Field.

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union's First Lady Award is the highest honor. The IGHSAU bestows. It recognizes a daughter of Iowa, someone who carries the tradition and lessons of sport into a life of meaningful and memorable accomplishment. The 16th recipient of this award is the late Lisa Brinkmeyer, accepting Lisa's award today are her husband, Ted, her children Hitch and Libby. Her mother, Lynn, and Lisa's brother, Blaine. Lisa was a five sport standout at Hubbard-radcliffe High School, earning all state honors at each sport and later being inducted into both the IGHSAU Volleyball and Basketball Hall of Fame. She led Hubbard-radcliffe to the 1993 state Basketball championship, Iowa's final six player tournament. Lisa went on to play basketball at Drake University, competing in three NCAA tournaments and earning Missouri Valley Conference honorable mention honors. After her playing career, she worked briefly in sports radio and in the corporate world before landing at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, where she oversaw volleyball, golf, and soccer until her passing in 2023. In her memory, the IGHSAU established the Lisa Brinkmeyer Award, which is presented each year to a girl in every Iowa high school who reflects Lisa's spirit of leadership, humility, humor, and heart. Today, we celebrate not only Lisa's accomplishments, but the lasting impact she continues to have on girls across Iowa. Ladies and gentlemen, please join us as we proudly present posthumously, the IGHSAU First Lady Award to Lisa Brinkmeyer and her family.

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The IGHSAU Executive Director's Award honors an individual or an organization that has made a lasting impact on the experience of Iowa girls in high school athletics. This year's recipient of the Executive Director's Award is Iowa Public Television. Accepting this award is executive director and general Manager Andrew Batt, along with executive producer Andrea Coyle.

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The IGHSAU and Iowa PBS have enjoyed a long and meaningful partnership in showcasing the Iowa Girl through television coverage of volleyball, basketball, soccer, softball and now girls wrestling. For decades, Iowa PBS has brought the story of the Iowa girl into homes across our state, celebrating her talent, her determination, and her achievements. In January, the IGHSAU and Iowa PBS announced a contract extension that ensures Iowa PBS will continue to tell the Iowa girl's unique story for many years to come. Please join us in congratulating and thanking this year's Executive Directors Award recipient, Iowa Public Television.

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The Jack North Award is presented to a distinguished citizen of statewide reputation

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and outstanding accomplishment. The award is named in honor of the former Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union's information director. The 2026 recipient of the Jack North Award is Gary Ross. Gary has enjoyed a distinguished career in athletic administration spanning decades. After teaching and coaching at Maquoketa Valley and Marion, he began his administrative career at New Hampton before serving 22 years as athletic director at Johnston High School. Beginning in 1995. Throughout his career, Gary has been widely recognized for his leadership. He is a past president of the Iowa High School Athletic Directors Association, was named the Iowa Athletic Director of the year, received the State Award of Merit, and served ten years on the Iowa High School Athletic Association's Board of Control, where he was honored with the Bernie Sagawa Award. For the past nine years, Gary has served as an associate director at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, overseeing basketball, soccer, track and field, and cross country. Gary has announced his retirement from the IGHSAU, effectively effective June 30th, concluding a career defined by service to schools and student athletes across Iowa. He and his wife, Diane, are the proud parents of four children and grandparents to ten. Ladies and gentlemen, please join us in congratulating the 2026 recipient of the Jack North Award, Gary Ross. Gary is accompanied tonight by his wife, Diane and his four children. Congratulations, Gary.

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The E! Wayne Cooley Scholarship is awarded annually to the senior that reflects discipline, perseverance, character, superior skill, achievement, and citizen traits that personify the life and expectations of doctor E Wayne Cooley, the longtime executive secretary of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. The winner receives a $15,000 scholarship over four years as she attends the Iowa college or university of her choice. The 2026 recipient of the Wayne Cooley Scholarship is Kate Harthorne of Lynnville. Sully, an outstanding student that ranks first in her graduating class. Kate is a member of Lynnville, Sully's National Honor Society and has received many academic awards. She is also a talented multi-sport athlete, participating in basketball, softball, volleyball, and track and field. She is a numerous times state track qualifier and earns several all district and all conference awards. She was a member of Lynnville Sully's basketball team that reached the class One-a state tournament this week. She's also active in her community and is a volunteer in numerous service projects. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the 2026 recipient of the E Wing Cooley Scholarship from Lynnville Sully, Kate Harthorne.

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All right, it is.

Half time here and we will continue in a moment. It's Maquoketa and Mount Vernon at the break. Been some.

Good offense and.

Some good defense. Mount Vernon by three. Back in a moment.

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Wright. One tradition that we need to do every year, and that floor is clean thanks to Dallas Center-grimes the Tuxedo Sweep tonight, they are keeping us in line. Look at that formation. What a good group of guys getting a chance. Oh, even playing to the crowd. I like that. And then Beau and they're done. The tradition continues. And another one that we have started up here at our sports desk is talking to some of the better athletes around the state of Iowa, including Marissa Farabee from Pella. How are you doing?

I'm doing great. Thanks for having me.

You were busy tonight because you walked in the Parade of Champions. You have walked in that once, twice, three and now four.

Yeah, I've been here three times. Technically. Last year I wasn't able to make it, but we've been here four times as a team. Yeah.

So you are a three time individual cross country champ. Propella four time team champion.

Official state tournament.

Of course, you're going to say your team means more to you, but let's talk about you as an individual. What is it that you think will be your legacy as a runner with three time state champ?

I think just having the courage to try before, when I was a freshman at Pella, no one had done what I had done before and kind of just breaking that barrier freshman year and setting the standard that you can do anything as long as you try.

Running takes discipline. Running takes dedication and time. Which one of those three is your biggest secret?

I think the discipline like getting after it every day and not every day has to be perfect. But consistency over time is really what makes you great.

Are you more of a morning runner? Afternoon or evening?

If I could run every day in the morning, I would love to, but school makes that kind of hard. But in the summer we get a run most days in the morning, so I love summer for that.

Okay, there are pictures from you at State Cross Country this year in Fort Dodge that meet got real cold real fast. Do you like cold conditions.?

More than hot conditions? Yeah. For sure.

Tell me about that race and how that how you tried to address it. How did you start and finish?

It actually wasn't as cold as my freshman year or. Yeah, freshman year. That was miserably cold. And sophomore year was also really cold. But just went into that race knowing that I could win and having that confidence. That's one of my biggest keys to racing is having confidence in myself and just approach the race knowing that I could and executing on my plan. And it was a great day. It actually ended up being pretty nice, so not too bad.

Runners in their plan. See, that's just not something I quite understand, but that is something you and coaches talk about trying to figure out. Is it a strong start? Is it a, you know, were you always the rabbit for everybody to catch up to, or did you have somebody that helped you in that?

Yeah. So in this year's race, there's actually a girl from Maquoketa that was with me for about a mile, but I believed I was a stronger runner, and I executed on my plan well, and it turned in my favor.

All right, I'm putting you on the spot. Name your teammates that won the state title with you this year.

All right, so you have me, Lizzy Newman, Ruth Dunham, Elsie Brenneman, Carly Altwein, Lizzy Vandervoort, Erika Voss, Anna Dobson, and Dana mikkola.

Nice job. Way to go. All right. Marissa is going to Arkansas. You're going to run down there and you're studying biology.

Yes.

Congratulations to you. We look forward to seeing what you do here in the track season, too.

Thank you so much.

All right. That's Marissa Farabee from Pella. And that is our halftime interview. And that's almost our halftime program. We've got second half to come and a coach interview as well. Maquoketa trails by three. Back in a moment here on Iowa PBS.

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It's been a pretty good game here in class Three-a. Mount Vernon leads Maquoketa 2724 and love a good contest. And that's what we had here. So let's see how some of these first half highlights were, because there's a couple of players that really stood out for what they were able to do for Maquoketa, it's they've relied on a lot of that good inside outside game, and that's what they did here in the first half. As we see how they scored their points. And it was Cora Wedel there she is from the top of the key now. She'll get the feed and then power through the contact. And then a nice good entry pass and again splits the defenders there. Wedel with nine. And then it's Savanna Wright. We talked about her with her coach. There's the fadeaway jumper from ten Laura Leonard one of her favorite shots. And then the step back three. That's the newfangled shot. And another three from Wright who had 13 first half points for the Mustangs of Mount Vernon. And there is a look at your first half statistics. And we're hoping to catch up with Chad Specht very soon as Maquoketa coach is is playing. We kind of talked about him earlier. He played in the state tournament in 1987 as a boys member, and now he's back here, second straight year with his team, and he is with us now. Coach. All right coach, this one's close. What was the big message in the locker room.

Ball control.

I think it's eight turnovers to 210 points off those turnovers. So relax take care of the ball. We've seen pressure like this all season long. And I think maybe the moment just got caught up with him.

I think a lot of teams have seen have said that about Mount Vernon. What would coach Bill Fleming say about your first half?

I'd say he's probably pretty proud of our effort defensively, honestly. I mean, there's some there's some really good ball players over there, obviously. But no, I think we did a good job defensively. Stay the course and take care of the ball. On the offensive end.

Real quick. Cora had a good first half. How do you get her and the others involved.

Continue to pound the paint, continue to utilize what we have and take care of that ball inside out. And I think good things will happen.

All right coach, appreciate your time. Thank you so very much.

All right. Thank you.

All right. That's Coach Chad Specht. And he is the head coach of Maquoketa. Thanks to all of our coaches for all their help. And now let's go back down courtside. B.J. Schaben Lauren Leonard. As they get us ready here for the second half call in a moment. Mount Vernon up by three.

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It's time for the second half in the class three, a state championship with Laura Leonard on B.J. Schaben. As we set you the lineups here for the second half, as Maquoketa will start with the ball down by three, they've got Aubrey Kroymann, Maelyn, Kluever, Kendall Kuhlman, Justice Armbruster and Cora Widel from Mount Vernon Quinn Pershing Savanna Wright, Taylor Franck, Courtney Franck and Riley Rasmussen as the Mustangs again clamped down defensively when needed. Had built a large lead in that first half. Laura and Savanna Wright when she has the ball, good things have happened. Except right there. As Widel says, no.

Boy giving up a lot of inches there as she tries to challenge Widel and Widel stayed with her and swatted that one away.

Let's see if Maquoketa can get a good set offensively, as the Mustangs have just wreaked havoc on this side of the ball. Packing the paint that's going to be kicked away. We'll reset the shot clock here with the kick. Let's see if they do.

They're going to try to get Armbrister on the back door. Cut. And Kroymann was directing traffic out there. But gave a little bit too much indication of what they wanted to do to Mount Vernon's defense.

High school ball. We don't reset it. This one's going to be tied up two seconds on the shot clock. Possession arrow, though, does give it to Mount Vernon.

Comes off right to two players crashing the boards. That one didn't draw iron, but it didn't matter.

Mount Vernon back to work. Wright launches. Left it a little bit short. Courtney Franck with the rebound and a foul going to be called as Savanna Wright is feeling a little tug on her jersey there that time by Justice Armbruster. She will pick up her second.

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Wright leading all scorers with 13 points.

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Had 24. In the semifinals, she was five of 12 from three point range.

Now Taylor on the drive goes in hard. Can't get the shot to fall and the rebound comes down to Maquoketa.

Franck went to the floor and she looked up at the official and said, there's no contact on that.

Unable to get that sold as they go inside to Kroymann working on, Rasmussen tries to swim. Tough shot. How about Aubrey Kroymann with her second field goal of the game and it's a one point contest.

Didn't shy away after she got initial contact. Just found a different way to score.

Taylor Franck will look to get it started. Now Courtney to Taylor. Goes inside to Pershing and a near steal by Franck and a foul will be called on the Mustangs here.

Courtney Franck was just kind of hanging back, trying to be coy to see if she could get that strip right there. She jumped in and then just could not pull that one in and picks up the foul.

That's her second.

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Maquoketa you had asked Coach Beck what was the turning point to the season, as Kroymann will lay this one up and in with the left hand, and he said it was last season in which they lost in their opener in class four A to Dallas Center-grimes they needed to schedule up.

And he said by doing that, that has taught us a lot of things. We've learned a lot of lessons, learned what we need to do, where we need to get better, and has helped them get to this point.

Kroymann will pick up the foul. That's her second and to the line with the sophomore and Quinn Pershing who's been perfect. There tonight. And remains that way.

Big game in the quarterfinals for Pershing 21 points. And so it's not the same score every night. It's not the same player putting up the points each and every night. For Mount Vernon. It's somebody different. And you have to guard all five of them.

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Widel goes inside to Kroymann, draws the triple team, avoids it, and somehow gets the shot off.

And had the mismatch. Taylor Franck got switched over to her and that allowed her to make the easy move to the hoop.

A foul here going to be called on Maquoketa Maelyn Kluever will pick up her first.

Dump down inside you can see that Taylor Franck in there giving up some inches and Kroymann easily gets the bucket.

How about Pershing working hard and capping that one off? She has nine now and here we go.

Putting a little pressure on in the backcourt.

Little seesaw battle brewing and is three a title game of course earlier tonight it was Johnston winning their school's third straight state title, besting Waukee Northwest 51 to 37, Jennica Louis with 22. In that game. We've got three state championships coming up tomorrow here on Iowa PBS as Kroymann tries to fight for her shot. Ihrig just checked into the game, nearly came up with the ball. Now on the break with the Stangs and one.

Just a little bit of hesitation for Taylor Franck. She knew that Kuhlman was on her backside. Leans into it, keeps the control, keeps body control and gets it off the glass.

That foul going to be on Kendall Kuhlman her third, the team's fourth here in the quarter with 411 to play as Franck hits the free throw.

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Mount Vernon has been able to get to the free-throw line. Not a ton. Neither of these teams really getting to the line a lot, but Mount Vernon been there eight times. Seven of eight in those attempts. Maquoketa only there twice, so maybe they need to get a little more aggressive to get themselves to the line.

That shot a little too strong by Armbruster. I think the right people are getting to the line for Mount Vernon because they came into the game shooting just 57% from the foul line, and now they're going to go again. And Savanna Wright will go to the line a 76% free-throw shooter on the season.

They're able to find a little room on the baseline side. Yeah, you get the weak side help and the backside rotation. But came down hard on Savanna Wright.

Kroymann will pick up the foul. That is going to be her third. The fifth team foul. So Mount Vernon who's been shooting really well from the foul line as you mentioned Laura will be in the bonus the rest of this quarter.

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Wright knocks them both down and back to a six point advantage for Mount Vernon. Out on the floor for the Mustangs. It's Pershing Wright, the Franck sisters and Rasmussen, and for Maquoketa Hopson, Ihrig, Kluever, Armbruster and Widel. Now a foul here on Mount Vernon. As Taylor Franck will pick up the foul, that's going to be her third.

Trying to get clever set up. She was the inbounder. They wanted the return pass to her to get her an open look.

Ihrig gets the three.

That shot went up and hit the back of the heel of the rim, and it just deadened it, and it allowed it to fall in.

Franck off to her sister Courtney. Taylor going to be bodied there by Widel and Taylor will go to the free-throw line to shoot free throws here 59% on the season. And for Widel, that'll be her second. So Pershing will check out of the game for Mount Vernon. Coming in is going to be Lucy Wischmeyer.

Mount Vernon as a team, right at about 58% from the line. So they are knocking them down here in this ball game with a lot of consistency.

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Taylor Franck now with six in the game, make it seven. Mount Vernon takes a five point lead. Isabella Hopson also into the game for Maquoketa. Here's Widel misses and will go to the line to shoot two. As Widel showing you why she is in consideration for an all state bid.

He just stayed right after it. As soon as that first shot went up, got herself into the right spot to grab that offensive rebound. Couldn't connect but gets to go to the line.

It was her conference's player of the year, able to hit the free throw. And this is where Widel made it a go. In the semifinals, she finished with 18, but 13 of those 18 points came from the foul line against Des Moines Christian.

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Doing a good job of helping out on the dribble drive.

That is going to be off of Maquoketa. And Mount Vernon will have it with 15 on the shot clock as Quinn Pershing will reenter the lineup for Wischmeyer. As Jacob Meissner continues to work, that bench getting some key breaks in. Here's Pershing wide of the mark on the shot, and the rebound comes down to Maquoketa and Kluever. That one's tapped from behind and a turnover.

Kluever just kept testing it and testing it. Maybe should have pulled it back, slowed it down.

I didn't hear Wolf in the building. This three in and out for Franck.

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Widel Ihrig open again for three. That's a shooter and a shot maker.

Playing with a ton of confidence. Widel just kind of surveyed the situation. Got it over to Ihrig, who knocked it down, and they quickly call a time-out and want to talk about a few things.

Tied up at 38 142 to play here in the third quarter. Let's go inside that huddle and hear from head coach Chad Speck.

Hey, if we're working open inside, keep hitting those shots. If that girl on you Jay dives to help you dive to the cup and be ready to shoot a layup. Okay, they are helping backside off of that Cora. If they help safe side which they're doing here. Be strong. Be patient going for this issue. Kick it back out. Repost. Be conscious of the lane okay we got to work you inside there. The other option is if I go open five. If I go open five make sure we go high and wide. And you can ball screen Cora and roll. But we're looking to get some downhill action because there's nobody at the paint. If we go high and wide, right. Hey, keep it up on the defensive end. Keep it up on the defensive end. Here we go.

On 3123 cards.

Hey, hey. She's a 22. Is a good rebounder.

Sounds like they want to get it spread out. But then they still want to get it inside. Spread it out. Maybe get some ball screens up high and they want to get Widel down low, see if they can get her some opportunities and maybe have a mismatch or two.

So we're tied up. At 38, Maquoketa has had to battle back from a nine point deficit about midway through that second quarter. As each team vying for another for a state title, it would be the first for Maquoketa and back to back for Mount Vernon.

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Shot clock winding down inside of ten. The deep three Wright can't get it to fall, and the rebound comes down to Maquoketa. Kluever will push Eric back to Kleber. Bucket.

That's how you run the break like that. You get the ball in the middle. You kick it out to the wing and you keep driving to the hoop.

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Mount Vernon trying to play through this. Here's Wright gets the shot.

You go to your playmaker when you need a big bucket, and then Taylor Franck puts on a little extra pressure in the backside and is able to get Kluever to shuffle those feet and get the turnover Savanna Wright with a nice dribble drive when they needed a big bucket.

For the Mustangs. Right back at it after the turnover. Five second difference between the shot and game clock. They will spread the floor again. Let's see if they let Wright work with it.

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Here's Pershing back to Wright for three. Ihrig with the board. There's 15 seconds to go in the quarter.

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And a lot of contact. We're still fighting for contact Widel for three. Yes.

What a bucket at the end of the third quarter. Just a mass of people on the floor going after that loose ball, able to kick it out.

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And you're going to see it happen here. Kicking it back outside. Everybody scrambling for the loose ball. Get it out to Widel. And she calmly knocks down a big, big bucket.

So it's a three point lead for Maquoketa going into the final eight. As you would say Laura, this is a wing dinger.

It is a wing dinger.

And they certainly had with that throughout the week here at the Iowa Girls State Basketball Championships, a wing eating contest and amazing how much chicken was devoured. All that dark meat going down throughout the week. All part of the fun and festivities here at the Iowa Girls State Basketball Tournament. Adding to the flair and the flavor. Well, you can scan the QR code or call the number on your screen to support Friends of Iowa PBS Congress. As you might have known, recently cut 3.5 million in federal funding. The largest one time cut in our 55 year history, impacting 18% of our budget. Despite this challenge, we remain committed to our mission and thank you for supporting public media. Both crowds energized, were watching the class three, a state championship. It's Mount Vernon, the top seed and the number two seed, Maquoketa Cardinals battling it out. As we begin the fourth quarter of play, Maquoketa with a three point advantage with Laura Leonard Im B.J. Schaben you're watching it here on Iowa PBS. Kroymann will be called for steps. She's joined on the floor by Kluever Kuhlman, Armbruster and Widel. And for Mount Vernon, it's Pershing Wright the Franck Sisters and Rasmussen.

[APPLAUSE]

So Pershing will look to drive partially blocked what defense by Kuhlman.

And stayed right with Pershing the entire drive and timed it to get that block.

Here's a three and it's good by Kleber.

And this is a team. And we talked about it yesterday in the semifinals. They were down and made a huge comeback. To be able to beat Des Moines Christian.

Kleber with the steal. And their largest lead here at six. Kleber with the spin and finish.

And now she is in a zone. She is taking matters into her own hands. And they certainly have come out on fire here in this fourth quarter. Thanks to Maelyn Kluever. Nice spin move dribble drive off the glass. And Mount Vernon needed to take a time-out after that. Mentally.

Remember your preparation. We know what we're doing on offense. We know what we're doing on defense. Okay, listen,

We have to stay a little bit more sticky on the three point line. It's that time now where we have to release the post. You've got to handle her by yourself. And we got to stay sticky on the perimeter. They're feeling themselves. So I'm turning you loose. I'm turning you loose, I'm turning you loose. We got to be sticky on the perimeter. Offensively. Stay the course. Do what we've been doing. That's a good take. Stay alive. Find windows. We have to be aggressive. We're going down swinging. Do you understand me? Be aggressive. If you don't love it, move it. If you don't love it, move it. We'll get to the next one. Listen, we leave it all out there. We leave it all out there. Stay together now. Stay together. Team on three. 123.

Team. Sounds like he's given the green light to everybody. If you don't like it, move it around. Try to find a shot that you like. I don't think it's panic time quite yet. You just have to be play within yourself. Get a big bucket here. Try to get things back going your way and settle in for the big ride here for the last 6.5 minutes.

Mount Vernon with four time-outs remaining. Maquoketa with three. Possession arrow in favor of Mount Vernon. Here's Franck on the drive inside to Rasmussen. Who's going to be fouled? That'll be the first foul here of the fourth quarter against Maquoketa. And this one goes against Kleber. I beg your pardon. That is on Armbruster who will pick up her second.

[APPLAUSE]

Now what can the Mustangs do to come up with an answer.

[APPLAUSE]

This might be it. It's left short though. Courtney Franck with the rebound. Wright again for three.

[APPLAUSE]

In and out. Franck with the board.

[APPLAUSE]

This is the third time a charm. Savanna Wright wide open on the weak side of the floor, jumping up and down. Could not find her.

Mustangs seem out of sorts. Big possession here.

[APPLAUSE]

As Widel will launch.

And a good sequence offensively. They were patient. They worked it inside and out.

Right, going all the way in and drawing a block. Quite the collision as Kroymann will pick up the foul. And that's a big one for Kroymann.

[APPLAUSE]

Boy it is. And that I think just at the last second she slid over and that's where the block comes instead of the charge. And that's number four.

Clock stopped. Savanna Wright going to do some trimming on this lead at the line now with 18 in the game. So Kroymann will have to check out, as will Kuhlman into the game is going to be Ihrig. And also the freshman Isabelle Hopson.

As they completed the comeback yesterday with three players of their three of their starters on the bench with five fouls. So they had to do it with their bench players. So they have the confidence and the players that are out there right now to be able to hold this lead.

Trying to play with some poise right now with that six point lead and a steal by Wright. Franck back to Wright for three. Widel with the board and a foul here on Mount Vernon.

And Wright has just been a little short on a lot of her long range jumpers. Maybe a little nerves, maybe a little tightness, but just coming up off the front of the rim.

[APPLAUSE]

Mount Maquoketa getting some key three point baskets here in the second half. They move it around another three. This is in and out and a strong rebound by Rasmussen.

Big rebound by Rasmussen because they were crashing. And she had to grip it and pull it in.

Hopson with the steal.

They say she's stepped up big at certain times. That was a big play defensively.

Kluever going to be called for a travel.

Cleaver trying to make some things happen. Maybe got a little out of control. Good spin move. Got into a lot of traffic. Lost control of it. Tried to kick it back out.

Time-out going to be taken. It's to Mount Vernon. Well, 4842. We could almost use that opportunity to sit back and relax. Well, girls who attended the Iowa Girls state basketball tournament got a chance to do that. The players lounge made an appearance. Of course, they could roll things out, take pictures with the trophy and just kind of just hang out and have a good time. And a good time had by all throughout the week as we're into the state championship.

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Always a fun time to walk by those places and see the kids hanging out, having fun, having a little popcorn, taking pictures.

Well, coming up tomorrow, the state championships will get started again at 230 as Dallas, Center-grimes and Carlisle will battle it out for the class four, a state championship at 2:00 in the two, championship at 445. It will be Hinton and Rock Valley, and then the nightcap in class one, a Bishop Garrigan and Newell-Fonda will meet again. That's all. Tomorrow here on Iowa PBS.

Great day of basketball tomorrow.

48. 42. Still a two possession game. Mount Vernon trying to trim that back. They go to Wright for three. Widel able to hold that one in as Mount Vernon. Now cold from three point range.

Wanted to run that right out of the time-out and they got Wright cutting on the baseline side. Got a great screen from Taylor Franck. Got a good pass, but she has not been able to knock down the shot here in this fourth quarter.

Ihrig trying to get rid of the ball and does they kick it out to the top. That's the freshman Hopson couldn't get it to fall. Mustangs with the rebound. And Hopson is giving Maquoketa some good minutes here off the bench. This jump shot off the mark and the rebound going to be bobbled. Who wants it? Savanna Wright says I do, but then didn't want the return pass and it's turned over.

[APPLAUSE]

Savanna Wright just looked away for a moment. Courtney Franck wanted to give her the return pass. Obviously they want the ball in her hands. They want the ball in Wright's hands. But I think Wright needed just a little bit of a breather to kind of reset before she was able to take possession of the basketball.

[APPLAUSE]

Kroymann back into the game with those four fouls. Works it in two. Strong on the shot. Pershing with the rebound. Here's Franck who will put it on the deck. Pershing for three. And the rebound to Ihrig for Maquoketa.

They're certainly looking for the perimeter shot. And I think at some point you might want to just try to get it inside, get a bucket, see that ball go through the hoop and then maybe those three pointers will start falling.

Widel will take one and get it.

Boy did it.

[APPLAUSE]

As Franck was flying at her with a hand extended in her face.

Right in the paint. A little too strong and called for the foul. As Eric gets the rebound. That'll be the second team foul on Mount Vernon. And Wright will pick up her second.

The ball rotation was perfect for Maquoketa. They're just making that extra pass and finding the open player.

And Chad Speck calls for a time-out here.

[APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER]

Sit down girls. Sit down.

As Mount Vernon has gone cold from the perimeter. No second half. Three pointers for the Mustangs.

Okay. Sticky on the perimeter.

Nine point deficit here with 219 to play.

We're creating pace now on defense okay. Mano a mano. Man to man. Scramble box and rebound. And we have to get to the box. We've got nothing to lose. Get to the box. Get to the box. Get to the box. Spread it. Get to the box! And our offensive rebound crash. We have to manufacture, pace, manufacture points, manufacture possessions. Do you understand? Absolutely not. We fight till the end. We fight till the end. Remember everything that everybody has said about us all year. That is who we are, how we make people feel. We go down swinging and we fight till the end. There's plenty of time left. Create pace, play fearless team on three, one, two, three teams move up, move up.

They're talking about you know you got to dictate pace. You got to create some things for yourself. You got to create some shots. You got to crash to the glass. You're going to see all five players going to the glass. As soon as the shot goes up, they're going to show a little pressure here, but they're going to need to make some things happen very quickly.

Maquoketa left with two time-outs remaining. Possession arrow in favor of Mount Vernon. Kleber working against Courtney Franck. It's been a good battle all night. Now we're nearing the two minute mark to play in the game, and a tie up will give it to Mount Vernon as Franck with the defensive play.

Franck with the quick hands. Just saw the opportunity. Very smart play. She's a player with high IQ and knew exactly what her team needed.

[APPLAUSE]

Here's Taylor, maybe forced the shot. Rebound. Comes out to Courtney Franck. And a blocking foul going to be called on Ihrig. And that'll be the second. On Hadley Ihrig.

Ihrig thought that she probably had possession and maybe Wright stuck that forearm out. Didn't call the call. Didn't go her way.

Right for three. Still can't get one. And the rebound to Widel. Who turned it over now? Pershing and a lot of contact as Ihrig. I beg your pardon? Kleber will pick up the foul. That'll be her second. And that's the fourth team foul on Maquoketa with 133 to play. So one more foul by the Cardinals in Mount Vernon at the line with the clock stopped.

Courtney Franck. She is the all time school steals leader and assists leader. And she's gotten a couple of steals here late that have really helped Mount Vernon. But they haven't been able to capitalize on those.

Taylor Franck will be whistled for the foul. That'll be her fourth. And I beg your pardon? That's her fifth. So Taylor Franck, the five five senior going on to play at Northern Iowa, has just fouled out of the game.

Well, had to make something happen. Was trying to get the strip of the basketball and got called for that fifth foul. And Courtney Franck there again trying to get another steal. That's what she's been so good at throughout her career. Trying to make some things happen, get the ball back in their possession.

Lead at nine and what a run it's been for Maquoketa. It's Widel able to spring it free. And Kleber avoiding contact now fouled here by Pershing. And that will be her first. Point. We had mentioned that Maquoketa wanted to schedule up. And indeed they did throughout the season trying to find out who would who could they play. Where would they play. Started off the season with a win and then a couple of losses. Lost to Iowa City High, Iowa City, Liberty and then really just turned things on until they hosted Johnston on February the 12th. When you go looking for games, you don't necessarily go after the Johnston Dragons, but Maquoketa did, and they hosted them. And it's it's paid off by being able to schedule a time-out going to be taken here after the made free throw a ten point lead.

Those are the things you do to make yourself better. And sure, why not? Why not go for a team that's won 78 in a row, 79 in a row and three now three state championships. You want to go and play the best to make yourself the best?

Well, this is the second state championship played here on Iowa PBS. We've got more coming up tomorrow. Starting with class four A and then we've got other state championships coming up here on Iowa PBS two on March 13th. The boys state basketball championships will be aired here. Softball July 23rd through the 24th. Volleyball on November 5th, and then the football championships again here on Iowa PBS coming up in November. Iowa PBS your home for Iowa high School state championships. Is that free throw is knocked down by Kleber. One minute to play and a foul going to be called. And the Mustangs going to be able to go to the line here with Savanna Wright. Again a very tough second half. And in fact the stretch here better than seven minutes in which Mount Vernon has not hit a shot from the field.

They have only scored two points here in this fourth quarter. They're outscored in the third quarter 19 to 13. That's what got Maquoketa back into the ball game. And then they just continued to roll into this fourth quarter. And the defense has picked up. And Mount Vernon just has not been able to hit shots down the stretch.

Hadley Ihrig will be fouled and will come down to the other end to shoot free throws as the five six senior and Ihrig got poked in the eye. But saying I'm okay, I want to shoot these. I want to shoot these. This senior class for Maquoketa has been something special. Seven seniors on the roster. They've played together since the third grade, and I think the best line I heard was out of Aubrey Kroymann saying, when they got together to play in the third grade, she begged her dad to turn around the car and not go to her first practice because she she she didn't know how to feel and how it would be about. And she said, boy, am I sure glad my dad did not listen to me. And we kept playing and ouch! Quinn Pershing landed hard on the court.

Boy came down, the two of them came down very hard fighting for that rebound. And right there just slip. And Pershing hits her head very hard.

Kroymann and Pershing battling for the ball. And great to see Quinn up, but they're going to check her out. And 11 point Maquoketa Cardinals lead. And the senior class also knew they were going to be pretty good. And middle school ball. They did not lose a single game and they said we we're going to be pretty good. And they certainly were their junior year making it to the state tournament for the first time in school history. And now this year, closing in on winning a state title in class three, a.

Talking about another one of their players, Hadley Ihrig. She is a state runner up bowler and was the runner up in the bowling championships this year. I think I gotta I gotta find my notes here, she rolled a 213, a 226 and then a 185. That's a pretty good bowling right there.

Certainly is. As Maquoketa finishes with free throws. But it's been their defense here tonight as they get another steal.

[APPLAUSE]

This will be tied up.

[APPLAUSE]

Possession arrow in favor of Maquoketa. But the second half defense has really turned the corner for the Maquoketa. Maquoketa Cardinals.

[APPLAUSE]

And again better than eight minutes now since Mount Vernon has hit a shot from the field as we see a foul and backcourt as Kleber was anticipating the contact.

Mount Vernon continuing to try to lengthen this game as much as they possibly can, hoping that Maquoketa will miss free throws. They can come down, get a couple of long range buckets.

[APPLAUSE]

But Maquoketa doing it at the free-throw line. Both of these teams doing a great job at the line. But you know, Maquoketa is there down the stretch there at the clutch time and they're knocking them down there ten of 12.

Kleber with 11 points in the second half 16 for the game. This three off the mark. Widel will rip down the board a lot of pressure. Still in backcourt here by Mount Vernon. And a time-out going to be taken here by Maquoketa a 15 point lead 31 seconds remaining.

They're gonna follow you.

Let's go inside the huddle and hear from Chad Speck.

Let's go. Let's go. Coy here.

Okay. Aubree, just go deep. Hadley. You go, you go, you go. Same side. Okay? Same save. Save, things. Roll pin heads. Three seconds. If you don't get it in. I got a time out. Time out. No. Finish it out, finish it out.

Chad Speck still coaching hard all the way through.

[APPLAUSE]

And it's the key here. If you're Maquoketa, go find that ball. Keep that clock rolling. And they do into the front court.

They did a good job of breaking the pressure that time and not allowing Mount Vernon to get hands on and stop the clock with a foul call.

Mount Vernon coming into the game, going for their school's third state championship. They had won state championships in 2010 and 2025.

[APPLAUSE]

So Maquoketa the line to Widel. As Maquoketa a very good free-throw shooting in fact lead the state in number of makes.

And you can see how calmly they step up to the line and drain them.

And the southpaw puts them both through Widel with 21 to lead all scorers. And up with the ball. Kleber, who's had a monster second half here for Maquoketa and looks to dribble out the clock with Cardinals. Sends it. And they're going to get it. The school's first ever state championship as they take the three a crown.

Got to love the excitement and the thrill of winning a state championship. The expression on Corey Waddell's face. She had hands on the side of her head. So excited. Couldn't really believe that the moment had happened. And then she got to celebrate with her teammates as they grabbed their pink shirts and celebrate with their fans. What a great second half for Maquoketa.

They turned it on, came into the half down by three and finished in a flurry as the defense notched up things. Good things happened. Let's turn it over for the post-game awards to tonight's public address. Announcer Joe Hammond.

And members of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union board of directors, fans, your 2026 class three, a all tournament team from Maquoketa Maelyn Kluever.

[APPLAUSE]

From Mount Taylor Franck.

[APPLAUSE]

From Dubuque, Wahlert Emily Tanae.

[APPLAUSE]

From Des Moines Christian Reece DeVoe.

[APPLAUSE]

From Maquoketa. Cora Widel.

[APPLAUSE]

And your three a all tournament team captain from Mount Vernon. Savanna Wright.

[APPLAUSE]

So that is your class three, a all tournament team. And Savanna Wright. What an effort finishes with 19 here in the state championship. She of course had 21 in the quarterfinals, 22 in the semifinals. And the sophomore will be the all tournament team captain. But what a group right there.

They're really is. And it was an entertaining three a class a lot of great basketball, a lot of exciting games. And what about this Maquoketa team coming back two games in a row in the semifinals against Des Moines Christian. And then here today against Mount Vernon.

Would like to present the top Producer award for the three, a championship match. Presenting the award is Taylor Anderson of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. This year's top producer of the three, a championship game from Maquoketa Cora Widel.

[APPLAUSE]

MVP

[APPLAUSE]

.

[APPLAUSE]

From Mount Vernon. And coach Jacob Meister. Congratulations on an outstanding season.

[APPLAUSE]

Thank you.

Ladies and gentlemen, the 2026 class three, a state champion, the Cardinals from Maquoketa and head coach Chad Specht.

So the class three, A state championship is in the books. The Maquoketa Cardinals bringing home their school's first ever state basketball championship as they best. Mount Vernon 5942.

And it was all about the second half for Maquoketa. Yesterday. They outscored Des Moines Christian 21 to 9. In the fourth quarter. They outscore Mount Vernon 3515 here in the second half. Only gave up two points in that fourth quarter. So they really played hard in that second half. Locked it down and able to pull off their first championship.

Well let's go to Paul Yeager. Who's standing by.

Great job. B.J. and Laura. Thank you so very much for getting us through that contest. And as they put the final. Maquoketa on, they'll take that plaque and you'll see it in the school for a long, long time. They're going to talk about this one for quite a while. Never gets old, does it, to see teams like that. I want to say a special shout out to the people of Maquoketa. It's been a long time since you've been able to celebrate something like this, and now you can. Chad Specht, the hometown boy bringing the trophy back. So we've had something old and now we have something new. So tomorrow, let's see what we have. How about a viral star? We have a crazy finish to tell you about tomorrow. It's all over the world right now, but we'll have for A2A, one a and we'll kick things off tomorrow at 214. And then the final three of the 2026 season. I don't want you to miss a moment here on your statewide network, and you can always watch us online at iowapbs.org. For all of us here at Iowa PBS. The hard working men and women inside the truck on the floor behind here, they've been working hard and we are happy to celebrate. Johnston wins now. Maquoketa wins. We all win when we watch an Iowa PBS tomorrow. We'll see you then. So long tonight from the Casey Center.

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