Class 4A — Carlisle Wildcats vs. Dallas Center-Grimes Mustangs

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Welcome back to Iowa's capital city for a tripleheader of Iowa girls high school hoops. We had five A and 3 a.m. last night, and today it's four-a as there's a look at Carlisle. They're playing DCG as we begin day two of our 13th year of coverage of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union State basketball championships. Hello everybody. I'm Paul Yeager on site at the sports desk. It's a great spot to overlook all the action here at the Casey Center. I'll be back with you at halftime and highlights and interviews. But first, let's pass the mic to my colleagues Brad, Wells and the Hall of Famer Ellie Ruffridge. Thank you very much, Paul. Welcome courtside here. Carlisle. The five seed Dallas Center-Grimes the two seed. Only one team will leave as four a state champs. DCG regulars, their sixth straight trip to state. And for Carlisle their first ever title game appearance. She's Ellie Ruffridge I am Brad Wells and Ellie. These two teams, both from central Iowa. They're familiar with each other, but this year they have not played each other and they will for a state championship game.

We're going to have a fun one here tonight for the class A state championship game. And on oversight for DCG, Coach Jones says that his Mustangs are a well balanced team. They don't necessarily have a star. But then over on the other side, the Wildcats have an Iowa State commit in Macy Comito and she is one to look out for. She had 42 points in that semifinal game, which was a single game scoring record for class four.

A, and that's impressive. Ellie knows about scoring records here in the state of Iowa. Well, let's take a look at Carlisle. Now. The five seed. This is their first trip to state since 2015.

And they come in again with 25 wins. That is a school record for the Wildcats. And again, as I said, Macy Comito with her performance, she can also do it all. She can defend, she can assist as well as pass.

All right. For Dallas Center-Grimes now they come in 23 and three. This is their sixth consecutive year going to the state tournament. They won it all in 2023.

And as you can see there they're shooting 55% which is the best in the state leading all classes.

They do it as a team. Let's go across the court on the public address mic is Tim Fitzpatrick.

Every year at the girls state basketball tournament, the Iowa Bankers Association presents a Student Athlete Achievement Award to a student athlete in each class who excels on the court, in the classroom, and in their community. The recipients receive a $1,000 scholarship to the college of their choice. The 2026 Student Athlete Achievement Award winner for class four A is Ellis Smith from Carlisle High School. Presenting the award is Janie Norton from people's Bank in Carlisle. Congratulations, Ella on receiving this scholarship. And thank you to Janie from people's Bank in Carlisle and the Iowa Bankers Association for their sponsorship of this award.

All right, let's take a look at a viral moment here. As Dallas Center-Grimes the Mustangs in the semifinals, taking on Norwalk and assignment. You know, the winner goes to the championship game. Ellie, you've been there a few times. You know, the nerves that go into this, but even you haven't had a moment like this. How about eight points in 19 seconds for Ava Smid watch number 12 in white makes the basket on the inbounds play and then does it with defense as well doesn't she.

Oh well she got that basket off of incredible screen from Tessa Jones. That's how it started right. And then it's just great defense. Great heads up plays as her team comes out on top.

People my generation and older remember Reggie Miller of the NBA. Just a dramatic slew of points that just got poured into that for a semifinal game. And in the end, DCG would advance as there you see how teams got here as Dallas Center-Grimes win over Waverly-shell Rock. Shout out Hannah Byers for her late two point basket. Clear Creek Amana Avery Lowery headed to Arizona State in the quarterfinals, as well as we are here courtside inside Casey Center and we're getting ready for this championship game. And there's just nothing like those moments right before a title game.

Oh, I get chills. I'm not even the one playing right. We're just here announcing and I get chills just watching these players run in here. They're so excited. So much on the line here in this four state championship game.

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Let's go back.

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Carlisle fans, let's hear it for your Wildcats.

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Abens caught in the middle

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of a railroad town.

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Now.

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Can you.

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Stop it! You.

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Nervous for you.

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Turn off the cams. Ben Lancaster.

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Dallas Center-Grimes fans, give it up for your state.

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Texas? Texas. And the first.

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Women to get.

Fans.

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It's now time to introduce our players and coaches in today's four AA championship game. Today's team intros are brought to you by Hy-Vee. First of all, here are your Nonstarters and assistant coaches for the Carlisle Wildcats. Number three Addison Sinclair. Number four Madison Thongvanh. Number five Lila Osterhaus. Number ten Lila Witte. Number 11 Kirsten Taylor. Number 15 Olivia Freeman. Number 20 Julia Naukkarinen. Number 21 Payton Fogle. Number 22 Emily Nelson. And number 40 Mira Heidemann. Your assistant coaches, Travis Smith, Nick Nelson, and Jordan Richards.

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And now let's meet the Nonstarters and assistant coaches for the Dallas Center-Grimes Mustangs.

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Number three Tenley Heidgerken. Number four Hayden Smith. Number 20 Aniyah. Boens. Number 22 Paige Harvey. Number 23 Taeya Jones. Number 24 Paisley. Heidgerken. Number 32 Denali. Amos. And number 42 Kate Wilson. Your assistant coaches Judy Knisley, Rich Kloster, Jaylen Raymond, and Jacob Heinemann.

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And now here's your starting lineup for this for a championship game for Carlisle and guard a 511 sophomore. Number one Kami Clark. For Dallas Center-Grimes and guard A54 senior. Number two, Leah Brock. For the Wildcats and forward A, 511 senior. Number two Mallie Stoner. For the Mustangs at guard A57 junior. Number ten Macy Meyer. At guard for Carlisle A59 sophomore. Number 12 Taylor Thomas. For Dallas Center-Grimes at forward A 511 sophomore. Number 12 Ava Smid. At guard for the Wildcats A59 senior. Number 23 Macy Comito. And forward for the Mustangs a 510 junior. Number 14 Eddie Abens. Alyvia. And for Carlisle at forward, a six foot senior. Number 42 Ella Smith. For Dallas Center-Grimes and guard A57. Junior. Number 34 Tessa Jones.

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Your head coach for the Wildcats is Justin Flaws, and for the Mustangs, Adam Jones.

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Fans, let me introduce to you our officials assigned to this for a championship game by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. Your referee, Mark Warth. Umpire Matt Shull, umpire Patrick Ensminger, and your bench official, Dante Terry. All right, who's ready to win a state championship?

All right. This is what these two teams have worked for all year. Ellie, break it down. It's still just 32 minutes on the floor. How about keys to the game? Start with Carlisle.

Yeah, for the Wildcats. They want to stay tenacious, stay determined and never give up. They came in as the number five seed. The Wildcats have something to prove here. And they are toughest together. All eyes and attention are going to be on Macy Comito. Teammates must be ready to shoot with confidence and finish plays. And then for the Mustangs for Dallas Center-Grimes. They want to be strong and steady. They came in there balanced. If there's anything they learned from that semifinal game, it's staying composed. Don't get too high, don't get too low and punch first. They they were down 1010. Nothing early on against Norwalk. Play to their strengths and get everybody involved.

And Dallas Center-Grimes basketball. The Mustangs the two seed in White Carlisle in red and immediately Smid inside kicks it out. Three pointer is no good and rebounded underneath by Stoner.

I like that baseline pass right there from Ava Smid. Macy Meyer just unable to get it to fall. But again a great look for the Mustangs.

You see the first five on the floor for both Carlisle and DCG Ellis Smith with the opening shot for the Wildcats. Brown goes over to Meyer and now Brauch open on the wing, will launch the three and a battle for the rebound. You're going to see a lot of battles for every loose ball and rebound in this game. You've got some kids that just know how to play with toughness and they know extra possessions are so valuable.

Oh, every coach is praising their team right when they get those 5050 balls. And it matters most here in these games.

That pass off the fingertips of Stoner. And DCG will get it back. As you look at Dallas Center-Grimes head coach Adam Jones in year number 11, he secured his 200th victory of his career this year. His hometown Jefferson, Scranton. And he played basketball at Buena Vista University. A Hall of Famer and nerves for both of these two teams here in the first minute, plus.

The Wildcats coming out in A23 zone, Mustangs have gotten some pretty good looks right there. If that pass would have gone, I feel like they would have had an open layup. So again, break down his own, get the ball into into the middle. Good things will happen.

Here's Comito, here's Comito. She creates so much. Dumps it off to Stoner who gets blocked underneath by Jones. Tessa Jones, the daughter of head coach Adam Jones. Inside to Smid Smid the kick out Brauch first points of the game. The senior guard Leah Brauch with the bucket.

So good again. When you get that ball to the middle, you have a lot of different options. And again, DCG chose to reverse the ball for three by their senior.

Comito drives. Ava Smid thought she had good defense, will be charged with her first personal foul as Comito goes to the free-throw line. Let's rewind here and take a look at that pass to set up the three. Brauch finishes for DCG and Macy Comito. A senior headed to Iowa State to play basketball. Ellie, you have seen her and so many times you've turned to me and just said, she's so good.

She's so good. She's had a lot of jaw dropping moments here at the state tournament, and she's obviously made a lot of noise. But Coach Flaws says she is the most genuine person. She gives all the credit to her teammates. She's very selfless and again, it takes teammates to be successful.

Coming away with the steal. Taylor Thomas as Comito now fires the three off the front of the rim and the long rebound tracked down by Ava Smid Smid, just a sophomore, but number 12 in white. She was the Dallas Center-Grimes hero with those six straight points. Was actually part of an eight point run in 19 seconds. Finished with 16 points in that contest. The semifinal win over Norwalk. Here's a kick out three ball for Jones. No. And an offensive rebound. Another reset here for DCG. Here's a triple from Meyer and it's good.

Macy Meyer able to connect early on here. And that is what's so hard about playing in A23 zone. It's really hard right to get a to get a rebound out of there. And DCG hot early.

Three ball for Mallie Stoner. The senior.

Three.

Stoner with just six points seven rebounds in the semifinals. But a double double 16 points ten rebounds and Carlisle quarterfinal win over Clear Creek. Amana. Elle you come down here and there's the kick violation. Not every game is going to be your game. Even if you're the star. And sometimes when you're not, you come down to the state tournament and sometimes you have to step up for your team. You talked about the defenses, how good they are. Sometimes teams can make it really hard on their star. And if you're a teammate of a star, you got to be ready to go.

Oh, definitely. And again, that's why I said one of the keys was they are toughest when they are together. Again, all attention is on 23 in red. And it's not very hard to not find her. She's got those bright yellow shoes on the court. Her teammates may be just the difference maker here in this game.

Here's a shot clock violation. Dallas Center-Grimes unable to get the shot off. So Carlisle gains the possession back. Those are sharp, aren't they?

I like those, I complimented her when we were giving interviews. You know, back in my day, it was like, stick to the school colors, right? Not anymore.

You know what? A lot of people will point out, too, that she's wearing knee pads. You are a firm believer of knee pads, right?

I have to give girls shout outs for wearing knee pads. I don't know why they don't wear knee pads. I mean, it hurts diving on the floor, right? Those knee pads add a little bit of support.

All five Wildcats on the floor in red uniforms with knee pads on for Carlisle locking in on the defensive end here. Dallas Center-Grimes one point lead and the basketball state champs in 2023. But a brand new team here in 2026. Shot clock under ten. Now for the Mustangs. Here's a feed inside Aniyah Boens a good seal in the post.

That.

Was.

Excellent. Offensive execution right there for the Mustangs. They were just again moving the ball around the perimeter. And then again the shot clock was winding down. Sometimes the defense can get a little bored for playing defense for that long time.

Comito fires the three. It's too strong. She does have excellent range. DCG offensively now.

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Looking for some answers. These teams have not played each other yet this season, despite both being in central Iowa. But feels like they're so familiar with themselves. It just feels like one of those conference rivalry championship games. Here's the kick for the three. No Good by Brauch.

Basket didn't fall, but I like that possession offensively.

Kami Clark sets up the Wildcats offensively. Ella Smith now with it knocked away by Boens. Now Smith goes to the rim. Attacks. No good and no call. Here comes Smid.

Don't leave her open.

Jones can hit off to the right on that shot and a rebound. And now a foul. And I think this goes on. And that's her first.

For the Mustangs.

Tessa Jones unable to connect on that shot. But we saw in that semifinal game she had some big knock down shots towards the end of the game. Right. And I mean her coaches will even say that she's one of the best shooters that DCG has this year. Can't leave her open.

She was telling you about some shooting workouts. Of course. Her dad is is the coach and played College Basketball Hall of Famer at Buena Vista. By the way. She says I shoot 100 threes. I make or I shoot 100 twos, I make 100 threes, and then I work on shots for plays that are designed. So if I'm coming off a screen, I'll run that same route, catch it and shoot it.

Yeah. Or even she talked about blobs and slobs. So like baseline out of bounds plays sideline out of bounds plays different shots that she could get. And she just again routinely works on those as a passer. In practices or even in shootarounds consistently seeing the ball go through the net.

Minute 16 to play here in our opening quarter, DCG three point lead and the basketball as a steal by Stoner Stoner, a senior. She's going to go to Iowa State and play college softball. So two future cyclones on the floor for Carlisle and two future college softball players as well. Ella Smith 42. Top of the screen. It's going to head to Wartburg to play softball. Here's the drive by Clark.

Not a lot of scoring here in this first quarter, but I'm going to give credit to both defenses and also offenses. The offense isn't bad. I really love both teams ball movement right now. So again, continue doing what you're doing. Keep being positive with each other because it's a long game.

Jumper by Meyer halfway down pops out substitutions here at the 26 second mark as Taeya Jones. Comes in Taeya Jones, the freshman daughter of head coach Adam Jones on the floor with Abens and Paisley Heidgerken sophomore is in the game. She has state tournament experience in softball, volleyball and soccer. And now the sophomore out there for this basketball game. Final seconds of the first quarter. Comito shoots it with six on the clock. Long rebound. This is Olivia Freeman with the board kicks to Smith at the horn. No good. A three point contest through eight minutes. Dallas Center-Grimes and Carlisle one quarter is in the books. Let's check in with our friend Paul Yeager.

Thank you very much. Brad and Ellie and kind of fun to watch all the connections on these two teams. The cousins there for Carlisle and all the other players, they know how to get to the Casey Center because they're really not that far away. As we take a look at the map of where these two schools are at, you've got Carlisle, which is in Warren County, technically right there on the border. So that is just south and east of here. I'm basically looking at Carlisle from where I'm at, as you see here on the map. And then Grimes is the school location for the district Dallas Center-Grimes. They are 17 miles and 12 miles respectively, from here. Or if you go between the 228 miles apart. So what better place to meet than the Casey Center for the championship here in class Four-a? Let's go back downstairs. Our friends Brad and Ellie will take you from here.

All right. Thank you very much, Paul. Love the good. Look at the map and always love taking a look at the teams and how they get here. We'll talk about those connections. And for right now, you can scan this QR code or call the number on your screen to support Friends of Iowa PBS. Congress 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. You can certainly come support us. Thank you for supporting public media. Ready to inbound. It is Kami Clark, the sophomore for Carlisle as the Wildcats with the basketball down five. Taylor Thomas gets it down to Kami Clark. Clark shoots it from the baseline and the rebound grabbed by Heidgerken.

And you saw right there the Mustang defense right. Letting her shoot it right. They're going to respect her once she hits a few. But they're okay with that shot right there.

Dallas Center-Grimes on the drive. Oh nice kick out to Meyer and better recovery by the defense. That is the two cousins for Carlisle on the top side of the defense. Mallie Stoner and Macy Comito. Number two. And number 23 for Carlisle. Smith on the drive kicks to Stoner off the iron. No good in that first quarter. Carlisle just one for 12 at shooting. DCG three of three of 11 in that first quarter. And man the defense always has a hand up and whoever has the basketball flying in to grab that is Heidgerken new possession. Three ball. It's good. Brauch gets another.

And those are plays right that matter down the stretch. Getting that offensive rebound, creating extra possessions for your team and then again able to connect on that play. We've seen here early on both teams a little bit of a slow start offensively. But again they just got to keep chipping away. Get get into an offensive flow.

Brauch shooting well she's two for four from three as Smith hits the deck. Good use of the knee pads right there Ellie. Time-out taken by Carlisle head coach Justin Flaws. He's in his third year at Carlisle. Sixth year as the head coach. Well, stay connected with Iowa PBS sports no matter where you're watching from. Join the conversation. Follow us on Facebook and X and use hashtag Iowa PBS. Sports to enjoy high school sports with other fans. Always fun collaborating online. We saw the social media sensation, the viral hit that was Ava Smid of Dallas Center-Grimes and Carlisle knows, hey, this is a tournament. Every game is a game of runs. You go on a little two three basket run. That can be a big difference down the stretch and Dallas Center-Grimes right now, extending their lead out to six.

Little by little every possession counts right. So you got to tell yourself get a score get a stop stop and a score.

Comito able to regather it in the backcourt. And the shot clock down to two. And Smith I don't know if she got it off in time. Missed it anyways. Rebound by Abens.

And if that would have fallen that would have been a good again execution out of out of a time-out. Just again Carlisle unable to get that one to fall.

Dallas Center-Grimes will reset.

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It. Here's a three-point shot by Meyer and that's no good. And it will be Carlisle basketball Macy Meyer. She has some pretty good lineage for her as well. Plays for Dallas Center-Grimes, but has two older sisters that you may remember we had in the championship game as Makenzie Meyer and Megan Meyer. They both played at Mason city for head coach Curt Clawson. Congrats to him this year, his 400th career victory. There's Comito with the basket for Carlisle. Much needed for the Wildcats, but Macy Meyer having two older sisters. Of course. Mackenzie went to the University of Iowa 2019 grad Megan went to Iowa, then finished her career at Drake, rapping in 2024. When you have older sisters that go play college ball, man, what better examples, right?

Right? Right. You look, you look up to your sisters. You probably grow up going to all their sporting events. You're their biggest cheerleader. I see Megan in the crowd. She is here with her husband, Jack Campbell, another name that you probably recognize. Former Iowa Hawkeye football player now plays for the Detroit Lions.

Good. You locked in on the NFL. I like that.

I know the Meyer family very, very well, so it's always fun to give them the recognition they deserve.

Great basketball family too. I mean, you think of, you know, family gatherings, you know, there's a ball bouncing and they find a hoop somewhere. 11 point lead right. Or excuse me, 11 to 7 is the lead for Dallas Center-Grimes. Three pointer for Brauch. She's got two of them already in this first half. Nice save by Jones in the corner now. Boens looking for some help. Meyer kicks it out. Now Meyer gets another look and Macy Meyer knocks it in.

If DCG if they start getting hot from the three point line. If I'm Coach Flaws, I may want to get out of this two three zone and start playing a man to man. Mix up the defense, because then you got to start respecting shooters.

Talk about that shooting percentage. Here's Comito eyeing a three. Nothing but net.

One of the prettiest sounds in the world. And that just shows how pure how pure of a shooter she is. Iowa State's getting a good one.

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Here's Jones catch and shoot. Three rebounded inside by Thomas.

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And Macy Comito is planning on studying kinesiology at Iowa State averaging 20 points a game three and a half assists three and a half steals per contest. Had 62 three pointers before this state tournament. Hit five in just the semifinals. By the way, part of that 42 point class for a state tournament record spin move shot by Clark rebounded underneath by Smid.

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Meyer wants another one. How about it? Macy Meyer had 17 points in the quarterfinal round game. Coach Jones says she has grown a ton this year. He's like, maybe was forcing it a lot in the first half of the season. Settled down. Just plays her role. Not doing too much anymore.

And that's where you mature as a player, right? You find what works well, what doesn't work well. And again, Macie has learned to trust her teammates as she hits that from deep. And she's excited about that one going in.

Meyer, a junior in 2025, was academic all state, a nod to those that excel at academics as well as athletics. Nice cut. Smid on the drive. Gets the foul and an and one. Foul goes on. Clark. That's her first and an opportunity for a three point play here for Smid again.

So quick cutting to the basket again. If you're the defense and these teams they move a lot on offense. You got to jump to the ball anytime you're a pass away. That way you don't get cut in front.

Miss the free throw and Thomas with another rebound. On the drive Comito how about here. An and one opportunity.

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Foul goes on. Boens Comito can score in so many ways Ellie.

What makes her so tough is again, we talk about her shooting, but it's her ball handling too, right? She can break down the defense. She goes right to her right and then she spins back, goes to her left, keeps that ball nice and tucked to her body as she's able to finish.

She was 13 for 13 at the free-throw line in the semifinal. Win. Over Sioux City. Bishop Heelan 7360 was Carlisle's win in the semis. DCG a 4542 winner over Norwalk in the semis. To get here to this championship game and a foul. Is called on Clark. That's going to be her second personal foul. Under two minutes to go here in the second quarter. Macy Meyer.

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The feed inside almost too low. Good trapping defense by Carlisle. Jump ball is forced by Stoner. Good defense by Mallie Stoner. The senior.

Great defense right there. And again. Brauch not the tallest player on the court. Right. Just got kind of in a tough situation right there where she was double teamed. Had nowhere to go with it. Credit to the Carlisle defense right there. And I haven't really mentioned this either. But both teams not pressing, maybe conserving a little bit of energy on the defensive side for both teams.

Well, they're certainly bringing the defensive energy in the half court defense. And how about Stoner hitting a three pointer. She just made nine on the season before the state tournament. And a take away by Thomas. Comito and double team from the backside came in.

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Guarded by Heidgerken loses the ball. Coming away with it is Smid and Smith is going to get whistled for the foul on Carlisle Ella Smith. That'll be her first personal. Let's go back to Comito. You got to respect her. And that leaves teammates open again.

Comito just draws so much attention to her. Right? And again, that leaves her teammates open.

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Stoner had two threes in the quarterfinal round game. Stoner with a double double 16 and ten in that win over Clear Creek, Amana. Jones on the drive for Dallas Center-Grimes final 40s of quarter number two. And that's a foul on Comito. And that will be her first personal foul.

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Substitution Meyer.

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Comes back into the game. Paisley Heidgerken gets a breather here, so Meyer the junior in for the final 40s and the inbound to Smid. Smid wants things cleared. Just knock the shot in.

And they are fighting so much, so much success when they get the ball to that free-throw line again for either kick outs, pull up jumpers or attacking the lane. And that's how you break a zone.

20s left in this first half. Comito and Carlisle down five. Looks like they want the last shot of this first half. Here comes Stoner double screen by Stoner and Smith Comito with five on the clock. Now goes to work, kicks it to Smith and Smith. Traveled with it. DCG comes up with a stop point nine on the clock.

And I liked right there. That's what you do as a point guard. My eyes right now are on Macy Comito. She didn't panic. She didn't get after her teammate. She just went over to her, calmed her down. That's what great point guards do. Macy Comito just calming her teammate down.

Dallas Center-Grimes up five here at the half as Macy Comito with ten points leading the way for Carlisle. Dallas Center-Grimes nine for Macy Meyer. Let's bring back in our own Paul Yeager as we are halfway through this for a championship game.

Paul good start there. Brad and Ellie and good defense, good offense. It's a good championship start so far. You know DCG has been in this title game before. It wasn't that long ago that Adam Jones had to put the headset on. And they are leading here at half. So he gets to be the one that we talked to to start things over. We mentioned he is the Jefferson Scranton native. The Bvu Hall of Famer. So coach let's quickly good rebounding good defense. Which do you like better there of your team here in the first half.

I thought we played defensively a very good half. We're very aware of what what girls can do and the strengths and weaknesses. And we're kind of playing to that defensively a little bit rebounded pretty well. I think we could rebound a little bit better, but overall I'm very, very happy with our defensive energy the first half.

All right. What about Macy and Leah's offensive efforts then.

Very good I thought early in the game we settled for too many outside shots early. They're kind of giving you that the high post. And then from there we can play from there. But early we kind of settled for some threes. We can shoot it, but we need to try and get get those threes from the inside out instead of settling for a quick three. I think we could push the ball a little bit more to to kind of beat that zone.

All right coach appreciate your time. Thank you.

All right. Thank you.

All right. That's Adam Jones the head coach. And we go back down to the floor for the All Iowa Honor dance team.

And rehearsal took place this week at the Rec Plex in West Des Moines. All schools are members of the Iowa State Dance Team Association. Choreographers are Jackie Aginaga, Betty Baker, Heather bass, Andrea Dana and Stacy Horton. The director of the All Iowa Honor Dance Team is Kathy Enyart. Sit back and enjoy this year's spectacular show of talent. Ladies and gentlemen, the 2026 All Iowa Honor Dance Team.

Turn it up, mr.. Let's celebrate. One, two. Three. Four.

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Celebrate. I'm just wanna celebrate. Tonight. Making history. I'm Jim Flaws telling me.

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Turn it up.

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Make it. Quarterback Tom Brady. And it's not our fault that we have all the ladies. Ladies all around the globe.

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World War two. And we're going all around the world. Boom, boom. Go, big girl. Boom boom. That's the way we like to play. And we gonna run around the world. Boom city girl, boom. I just want celebrate. I just want celebrate tonight. You're taking history. I just wanna celebrate.

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Turn it up.

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I just wanna celebrate. I just wanna celebrate. Tonight we begin history I just wanna celebrate.

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Stop it. Stop it, stop it. Hey, hey, doodle, doodle. From a special night I got you by my side. Drop it, drop it, drop it on me. Hey, hey, as we hit the floor. And if you ever did before. I'm gonna put it on you I'll drop it, drop it on me. Hey, hey, drop it, drop it. Hey, hey, stop me! Mommy! Mommy! Drop it on me! Hey, hey! Drop it, drop it on! Hey hey hey! Doodle! Doodle doodle doodle doodle doodle. Hey hey doodle doodle. Doodle.

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Hey! Stop! Mommy! Mommy! Drop it on me! Hey hey, pop! Pop! Pop it up! Hey hey hey hey hey. Hey hey hey.

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Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey

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hey hey hey.

Let's get loud. Let's get loud. Turn the music up. Let's do it. Come on, people, let's get out. Let's get loud. Turn the music up. Let's do it. Come on, people, let's get out. Let's get loud. Turn the music up to hear that sound. Dance. Getting out. Let's get loud. Ain't nobody gonna tell you what you gotta do now. Let's get out. Let's get loud. All.

Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey.

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You gotta do it, do it, do it, you gotta. You gotta prove it.

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Do it, do it, do it. You gotta prove it, baby. What mean what you say. Hey.

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Hey hey hey hey hey hey hey hey

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hey hey hey hey hey hey.

Loudoun.

What?

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To cool.

You down.

Low. Come.

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Moka. She will. wear. You are. I know.

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You know Macy Meyer.

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And. Know. Go go go go go go go go go go.

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Go go go.

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We gonna celebrate today.

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I just wanna celebrate. I just wanna celebrate tonight. History I just made.

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Turn it up. Patiently waiting for you to. At the point is we waited. Quarterback Tom Brady. And it's not our fault that we have all the ladies. Ladies? What do you mean? All around the globe? See you later. World War two. And we're going around the world. Boom, boom. Your big girl. Room is really like to play. And we gonna move around the world. Boom boom boom. Girl. That's like playing by. Just want to celebrate. I just wanna celebrate tonight. You taking history? I just wanna celebrate.

[MUSIC]

Turn it up.

[MUSIC]

Turn it up.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC]

What you wanna do?

Let's hear it for the 2026. All Iowa Honor Dance team.

[APPLAUSE]

35th time. That thing is incredible. Each and every time. And guess what? We're going to talk to a couple of those performers at our next halftime. And we're also going to talk here in just a couple of minutes with one of the new Hall of Fame inductees, and it's a familiar face to those in the Iowa City and Ames area. How's that for a tease? But all sorts of great things are happening here at the state tournament on this Saturday afternoon. It's our 13th year of doing the coverage here, and each and every year we add something just a little bit new. And we also have some things that are a little more on the traditional side of things. And that's what we'll get to here in just a moment. Also today we have the class one, a game that will be our nightcap. The two a game will be the one before that. So Brad and Ellie will go back to back with them on that doubleheader game. Should be a really interesting one. And then one a couple of teams you're familiar with as well. It'll be Bishop Garrigan and Newell-Fonda. You've seen them on the one, a title game that will come up here later this afternoon. So we're getting ready to go downstairs to the floor for I talked about tradition. Here's one of.

Them. The cleanest show in town.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC]

Ladies and gentlemen, a nice round of applause for the cleanest show in town.

Oh.

Thank you.

I love that each and every time we get to see it. And actually, you saw them actually pick up some debris. So much of it is ceremonial. But that time they actually had a couple things to sweep up. So those are the sweepers from Norwalk. We'll take a break right now and have a conversation with one of the newest inductees to the Hall of Fame of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. We are at halftime in the four, a final good one so far between Carlisle and Dallas Center-Grimes. Back in a moment here on Iowa PBS.

Coming up on the next episode of Iowa Life, we'll meet a family of Ukrainian refugees building a new life in DeWitt.

These lives that we have here, it's much better than we had in Ukraine.

We'll step inside the Better Homes and Gardens test garden, and we'll join the crowd in Lansing as Black Hawk Bridge bids farewell. All that and more on the next Iowa life.

Coming to Iowa PBS March 16th.

Hey there. Are you curious about Iowa's current workforce trends? Iowa PBS and American graduate jobs explained are here to break it all down on Instagram and YouTube. Shorts. Real people, real jobs. From healthcare to manufacturing to sustainability focused careers. Find your next big move right in your backyard. My name is Nikki, and my job here is to help you get a job. Stay tuned. As I shadow people in the field, you're going to want to work in and see what it's like in a day in their lives, Iowa Jobs explained. Follow us on Instagram and power up your future.

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Public television has been just a wonderful part of our life. It's easy to say what we like about it. For me, the trust that is implicit that we have put in public broadcasting and without trust, you don't have a whole lot of other stuff to believe in.

Learn how you can live on by visiting iowapbs.org.

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Find your favorite programs on Iowa PBS. Enjoy world class musical performances.

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Go behind the scenes of fan favorite cooking shows and learn the stories of iconic PBS hosts. Programs like these are made possible by the support of viewers like you. Donate now or increase your gift to ensure these beloved programs continue bringing joy and inspiration to Iowa viewers. Artifact Iowa reveals our state's place in history through the objects that remain.

When you look at pre 1910 automobiles, you can see how they were trying to figure out how an automobile should look.

We don't know when the locket was made, but we know that the hair was collected from George Washington and Anthony Wayne in 1775.

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We are.

At halftime. Dallas Center-Grimes leads Carlisle 2116, in the class four, a final. In a moment, we are going to see the Hall of Fame. But we have one of the Hall of Fame inductees. Ashley Jones. You remember her from Iowa City High class of 2018 and Iowa State Cyclones played for two guys named Bill. Bill Taggart and Bill Fennelly. Yep. Let’s Talk your high school for a minute. You were in the final in 2018. We'll get to that in a minute. What do you remember about playing here in the state tournament?

Yeah, you know, you dream of it as a kid. My sisters and I kind of watched it growing up. We came down here every year and it was just something we always wanted to do. You watch all the players come out and it's a great atmosphere. You get lots of fans and we were just excited. We were living out our childhood dreams, really.

You mentioned your sisters. I saw many of your sisters play here. Your mother was an Iowa girl for a while and played the six on six game. Did mom ever make you watch some of those six on six tapes?

Oh yeah. My mom played six on six. We've seen a couple videos of that, and it's definitely a different game. But it is.

It is a different game. But your game. Let's go to 2018. You get into the title game. You come all the way to Des Moines to play somebody from across town. What do you remember about the championship experience?

Yeah. The state of Iowa does an amazing job putting on the tournament. It's a really cool atmosphere. I think they've added a few things this since I've been here. So just seeing everyone and just being a part of such a high level competition and obviously we were playing our crosstown rivals, so it was just like we were back in Iowa City, but it was a lot of fun.

You scored 2178 points. That puts you 15th all time for the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. You go then. You're also miss Iowa basketball. Put things together in rankings where this Hall of Fame is going to rank for you as reflection of your career and where you stand in points and where you stand in accolades that you earned.

Yeah, I think this has to be up there as like one of my top accolades, just the state of Iowa has such a rich culture when it comes to women's basketball. And just to see the players that have come before me and then to see the players that are continuing to play, you know, it's just an honor to be able to have my name kind of etched in history with them as well.

You then go to Iowa State, play for Bill Fennelly in the cyclones. You do okay there. I mean, what was that exactly? All right. Just all right. What was it like playing, knowing how everybody values girls basketball in the state and women's basketball in the state? You've been in two great places to play.

Oh, yeah. I mean, just watching the fan base. I mean, when I went to Iowa State, we had 10,000 plus fans at every game. They call it Hilton Magic for a reason. I mean, they come out there, there are six player on the court. They help us out a lot.

Have you seen exactly what you're going to get tonight and just how big this plaque is?

I have not seen it yet.

All right. You real quickly before I go, you have won a WNBA ring. Where is it?

It is at home. I actually have a trophy case now. So it is up there with all my other trophies.

So you have one more thing to add here in just a.

Little bit. Yes I will.

All right, Ashley Jones congratulations. Always so fun to watch you play. And we look forward to your induction here in a little bit. Thank you Ashley Jones, the 2018 graduate of City High and new inductee to the Hall of Fame. When we come back, we'll get a little insight from the Carlisle huddle here on our finals in class Four-a at the state tournament.

[MUSIC]

Find your favorite programs on Iowa PBS. Enjoy world class musical performances, go behind the scenes of fan favorite cooking shows, and learn the stories of iconic PBS hosts, programs like these are made possible by the support of viewers like you. Donate now or increase your gift to ensure these beloved programs continue bringing joy and inspiration to Iowa viewers. Artifact Iowa reveals our state's place in history through the objects that remain.

When you look at pre 1910 automobiles, you can see how they were trying to figure out how an automobile should look.

We don't know when the locket was made, but we know that the hair was collected from George Washington and Anthony Wayne in 1775.

Dig deep into our state's history with Iowa PBS and artifact. Iowa.

[MUSIC]

Back here at halftime class for a Dallas Center-Grimes leads Carlisle 2116. Joining us now courtside is the head coach of Carlisle Justin Flaws, coach, you talked heavily about the first 2 to 3 minutes of this second half. What what do you need to see from your team in those first couple of minutes?

Just settle down a little bit. We blue coverage probably on four plays and we're only down five. So we feel pretty good about where we're at. All we got to do is tighten things up a little bit. This is good. They came out, they punched us in the mouth and now we got to figure out how to have some composure here.

One thing on the turnover battle. You're actually winning that. So I mean it's not working necessarily to advantage. But how do you then get more of your players. I mean everybody of course Macy Comito is the one everybody focuses on. She's been great trying to distribute the basketball. Where's that focus and balance that you're trying to find here?

Remembering to move without the ball instead of just standing still like a statue. If we can get a little bit of movement, maybe set a screen or two, we'll probably be in pretty good shape I think.

Sounds good. Justin, appreciate your time. Thank you as always.

Thank you so much.

All right. That's Justin Flaws, head coach of Carlisle and his chance to do the halftime interview. And now let's see how the first half played out with some pretty exciting plays early on. Macy Comito kicks to her cousin. That's Mallie Stoner. And then another three on top as as coach said, kind of moving the ball around Comito again, dishing and trying to get her Wildcats in. And for Dallas Center-Grimes there was Stoner, by the way, hit that last shot. It's a familiar name here at State Macy Meyer we talked about families of players. Meyer has been good. Macey's been great. A couple of big threes. She gets the feed there from Brock and hits the bucket. And that's how we sit here at halftime. Let's go back down for Brad Wells and Elle Ruffridge for their call of half number two.

All right Paul we're ready for third quarter to get started here. Elle. He kind of feels like similar adjustments for both teams here as we look to the second half now.

Definitely listening. Oh. Technical difficulties on the south end.

But quick reset here for the third quarter for both teams though.

Yeah right into halftime right. Coach Jones was saying right. The defensive intensity is there. He wished the rebounding battle was a little bit better. But again DCG is winning that battle 17 to 12. And then coach floor. Just saying we got to settle in more movement on offense. But he likes where they're at. Only down five. Here in the third quarter.

All right Carlisle knocks it off the leg of Meyer on the drive. And the Wildcats get it back. So Macy Comito the senior headed to Iowa State with the basketball. Was interesting yesterday talking to Macey. She says you know as the five seed we came in as the underdogs and we were underdogs in every single game. Bring on the challenge. And right now, down at halftime, she's ready for the challenge right?

Isn't that crazy. They come in as the five seed only have one loss on the season. They lost to Valley 58 to 59 earlier in the year. And again Comito will tell you that game prepared them for any other game right down the stretch.

Absolutely. A one point loss. The defense, they said of Valley, really told us we got to be sharp with execution. Well, Addie Abens is at the free-throw line. The junior was sharp with her execution and now an offensive rebound by Ava Smid. The three from Meyer too strong and Comito goes up and grabs the rebound. From Carlisle head coach Justin Flaws, he's in year number three at Carlisle comes from a family just rich in coaching history for coach Flaws, who's a high school special education teacher at Carlisle. His dad, Jay and Uncle Jim led Carlisle to the girls basketball teams from 1985 to 2002, and then again later in the 2000. They took two teams to state in 1992. They were there playing six on six, and in 2002 they were part of the five on five state tournament. And Justin remembers being a kid at practice, he says, I remember them talking about defense all the time. Here's Jones for three no good. But Jones gets her own rebound, then hits the deck, fighting for it with Kami Clark.

And getting up slow. She hit her head really hard.

And we have a foul called on Clark. Here, take a look at the replay. Clark with it ripped away by Jones. And now that's number three on Kami Clark.

Again, you're sacrificing so much your body, right? You're willing to do whatever it takes just to see a win at the end of this game.

Oh, Comito with the Takeaway was ready for Smid to dive to the basket. Now Comito with the dump off to Smith. Here come the Wildcats.

[APPLAUSE]

Dallas Center-Grimes looking for an answer now.

[APPLAUSE]

On the drive with the finish. How about Ava Smid? How much is her confidence grown at the state tournament? Ellie.

Oh, it's grown a tremendous amount. And again, Coach Jones said they're finding success when they get the ball to the high post. She got her defender caught on a little pump fake. And then again, just a strong move to the basket.

Now a beautiful feed from Ella Smith to Mallie Stoner. And we are getting up and down the floor now. A one point game once again.

Carlisle still staying in this two three zone.

Oh, and a double dribble is called Meyer. Her left hand raised the basketball while she was dribbling it, and now Carlisle an opportunity to take the lead.

Carlisle catching a break right there. You don't see the uni commit making those turnovers like that very often. And when when that happens you got to take advantage of it.

Here is Smith. And a kick violation on DCG is going to keep it here. Substitutions Heidgerken and Boens reenter for Dallas Center-Grimes as Meyer and Abens head to the bench. Carlisle basketball Stoner back to her cousin Macy Comito.

[APPLAUSE]

Comito with 14 points fires the three. No good but an offensive rebound by Stoner and then a takeaway by Heidgerken.

Good job by Leah Brauch right there. It can get a little lonely right out there when you're defending, you got to do your job as a teammate and you got to make sure you're talking to her. Or she could get caught by a screen at any moment doing a good job right there on Comito.

There's the collapse by Freeman on defense and a foul, I believe goes on. Is this on Smid or is this on Carlisle from behind? And it's going to go on. Olivia Freeman of Carlisle and a 30-second time-out is taken by Dallas Center-Grimes Carlisle fans surprised by that? Freeman so tough defensively. Ellie.

Oh she is. She comes off of the bench. She is a spark plug. Tenacious defender and Coach Flaws says she plays starter minutes.

Yeah she does. She is in there. She has played 18 minutes in the semifinals. Is just a huge spark.

Thank you to all our.

Well for Dallas Center-Grimes head coach Adam Jones is in year number 11. Ellie, we mentioned this is their sixth straight year to the state tournament. This is him with his daughters this year after the regional final qualifying for state. He said this is from seven years ago. The last time Dallas Center-Grimes was not playing at the state tournament.

Such special moments, right? To get to share with your daughters and then also just getting the opportunity to play for your dad. Yeah. Alyvia Freeman gets called for her second straight foul.

Freeman frustrated as well as looked like an arm of Meyer a little shove off, perhaps, but the call is a block foul. Still one of the toughest calls for any official. The block charge call Dallas Center-Grimes with the basketball. With a one point lead. Here's the takeaway. Comito now on the run ahead to Freeman layup. Good.

Comito so smooth in the full court transition, right. She was drawing the defense right making them commit. And then Olivia Freeman just with the open layup right there. That's just again good team basketball right there.

Carlisle with their first lead of the game at 2625.

And who made that play happen from the get go Olivia Freeman.

[APPLAUSE]

And she's going to stay here with DCG.

[LAUGHTER] [APPLAUSE]

Carlisle continue seeing both teams continue to play that defensive pressure. Meyer tipped away from behind. Comito is going to get called for the foul and for her. That's number two on Macy Comito. And free throws coming now.

Again you see her right patting her chest. My bad my bad. Again that's just a mature player right there. And I think she's going to just excel at the next level again. We can talk about her talents on the basketball court. But again, she's just an overall great kid and great teammate. Again, you can see her again. She's like, that's my bad. Next play.

High school's career scoring leader, career three point makes leader academic all state 2025 and headed Iowa State. She said Emily Ryan was a big part of her recruiting process, and she's so excited to play with Audi Crooks in her senior season. Remembers Audi playing. And people started talking about Audi Crooks as well. After her 42 point semifinal performance. That win over Bishop Heelan. This one is headed towards the sideline. Ellie Let’s Talk points Comito scored 42. It came two days after Bishop Heelan's Molena Snoozy scored 39 against North Polk. That was a four, a state record for two days. It broke Libby Vandals record from Cedar Rapids. Xavier 2025. That goes back to Ava Hawthorne of Gilbert in 2020. Aubrey Norville of Lewis Central Let’s Talk all time classes. All right, Audi crooks Algona Garrigan scored 49 points in 2023 that broke a 48 point performance. Do you remember the performance? It was. It was you at Pocahontas. in 2017.

It's been so long. It's hard to hard to remember.

It's still the three a record. You're still in the record books. The six on six record, by the way. Denise Long Union Witten, 1968. Shout out 93 points. How fun would it be to score 93?

I feel like my my arm would be a little tired afterwards.

That's probably without the three point line. Ellie Comito is going to go to the free-throw line. She had 42 and she would trade that for a state title. You know she wants to win this one as a team.

You don't want her at the line though. She went 13 for 13 at the line. Just again tremendous shooter that we are watching. As I may have just jinxed her. Sorry, Macy.

It's been known to happen. I feel like broadcasters take way too much credit for any kind of announcer jinx on free throws, but Comito is going to shake it off. 225 to play here in the third quarter. That's not things up at 27.

And with this being such a low scoring game, it's the defense.

Well, and this third quarter to Carlisle is really finding some rhythm. And it has Dallas Center-Grimes maybe playing a little faster than what they want to.

[APPLAUSE]

Here's a look at Comito from three and the rebound underneath is going to draw a foul. I believe this goes on Stoner. And it does for Stoner. Her second personal foul. And in the bonus for free throws, it would be Dallas Center-Grimes Paisley Heidgerken stepping up to the line. Well. Heidgerken unable to hit Carlisle has played fantastic here. Ellie. You see head coach Justin Flaws and your number three. We were talking to him after the semifinal and he was getting emotional talking about these kids and the amount of effort that they have put into getting dedicated to coming back, playing at state. He just he loves him. He talked about Comito visiting kindergarten rooms. Just a kid that has the biggest heart. And he went up and down the floor. Kids that just work so hard and just are great people. Freeman receives another Comito pass two more for Olivia Freeman.

So good Comito getting others involved. And again, that's what you need to do if you're Carlisle finish those plays. As Comito gets called on her.

It's gonna be her third foul.

Third. And that is big.

39. This is what she does though. Not only could she score, she can create for her teammates.

Again. There were three white jerseys right in that space. And again, on the opposite block you have a wide open Olivia Freeman. Just excellent execution right there by the Wildcats.

Well, Coach Flaws talks about his family and how supportive it has been. His dad, Jay. Uncle Jim, we talked about led the Carlisle girls basketball teams to state his Uncle Jim's also the head softball coach at Carlisle, has another uncle. Dean coached it out to Aurelia. He says I always bounce ideas off him and say, how would you beat us? As Smith gets fouled and will go to the free-throw line, it's going to be a bump on Heidgerken. And so Ellis Smith steps up to the free-throw line.

He's.

Smith, a senior from a senior that's going to Wartburg to play softball and study physical therapy. How about the story of Ellis Smith two two ACL injuries in her career. Coach Flaws. He got choked up went down the list. He's like so many of these kids right.

Yeah. So Ellis Smith she's got quite a story too. You mentioned the two ACL comebacks. She tore her ACL the first time the summer before her freshman year, and then her first game back playing basketball. She tore her sophomore year. I mean, talk about a kid who just come back. She comes back. She works hard, right? She just wants to do whatever it takes for her team. And again, you mentioned she's going to Wartburg to play softball. She said she's going to play the corners either first base or third base.

Loves the team value that they have at Wartburg. Mudita is what they say. And I have a daughter playing at Wartburg as well. Head coach Jamie Mueller, her 228th win. She ranks number one all time is an excellent thing going at Wartburg. And Ella was so excited to be a part of that. Here's DCG now. Final seconds of this third quarter.

About an eight second differential between the shot clock.

DCG had a five point lead at halftime. Now trail it by three over to Jones and over top of her head. And Dallas Center-Grimes has been flustered by this Carlisle defense again.

We've said it time and time again. It's the defense, and DCG now has 12 turnovers. As we close this third quarter.

Had just six at halftime. So six here in the first half. Oh almost some late second heroics again from Ava Smid missed the layup. And so Carlisle a half court heave by Comito. And it is Carlisle a three point lead through three.

[APPLAUSE]

Well head coach Justin Flaws talked about the coaching history. We're going to talk about his bracelets as well. Ellie as one says Team Colleen, his mom Colleen passed away from breast cancer in 2018 when he was head coach at Collins-maxwell. He said she provided daycare to several girls on this team, says his dad, Jay, a three time cancer survivor, still takes chemo therapy and this is some of the family as well. These are two girls. After Carlisle won the semis, they came up to us. I took this picture, by the way. They said, hey, can we get a picture? Ellie? We had no idea who they were, no Coach Flaws nieces. How about that, right?

That was cuties, right? Jovi and Jetta. I mean, biggest supporters of Wildcat basketball, right? And you talked about Macy Comito going to the elementary, seeing those, seeing those young girls. I mean, these young girls look up to these girls playing right here, dreaming of playing here on this court again. Just great role models.

All right, eight minutes to go here in the fourth quarter. Now as you see this stuff shaken out. Are you excited for this this final eight minutes.

Should be exciting for sure.

All right. Let's take a look at this QR code again. You can scan it and support Friends of Iowa PBS. As Congress cut $3.5 million in federal funding, the largest one time cut in the 55 year history, it impacts 18% of the Iowa PBS budget. Despite the challenge, we are committed to our mission and thank you for supporting public media. Spread the love and so excited to be here at the Iowa Girls State Basketball Tournament once again, and excited to bring the Iowa State boys basketball state championship games to the state of Iowa. Coming up next week as well. We are in our first of three state championship games of the day. Carlisle, the five seed, a three point lead over Dallas Center-Grimes, the two seed here in this for a championship game. Comito trying to get it going and starts the fourth quarter with two points. She has 17 on the game.

And that's just Comito right right out the gate. Just putting her team on her back saying, you know what, it's time to go.

She loves the toughness that Coach Flaws has on the girls.

[LAUGHTER]

Says he expects a lot of us and it's helped make me better. Here's the drive and the shot by Macy Meyer and Meyer will step up to the free-throw line. Foul goes on. Mallie Stoner that is her second for Macy Meyer her parents, Markkanen are in the stands here and I went and talked to them right before this game as it was put in our notes on his DCG team. So Mark's mom Janice Kruger played in the 1953 state tournament for Hartley. Ellie you got to love when you can go back. The clock over 70 years ago, 1953 Hartley a tip of the cap to you. Janice Kruger just absolutely loved the tradition about state basketball of talking about it and just absolutely enjoyed her time here and loves the and Mark and and just love the experience that their daughters have here at state. How fun is that?

So many special memories to make with your family again. And then just again, watching your daughters play hard, compete.

Comito beat the buzzer. But it does not fall. Here comes Macy Meyer grandma played at state. Now she's playing at state. Feeds it into Smid Elle Meyer on the drive. The kick out three for Brauch no good. She hit a couple early threes and Brauch still at six points. Carlisle with the basketball. See a lot of moms too that have played high school basketball and this Carlisle team. Alyvia Freeman mom Michelle Erb played one a softball state title. Stoner mom Alyssa played state softball tournament. All those experiences just help you for these moments. So much the same for Dallas Center-Grimes as well. Here's the drive. The shot by Smid. And it's going to be Carlisle basketball.

Ava Smid just working the paint Dallas Center-Grimes. They find success though when they are getting that ball inside again. Offensively couldn't connect, but again she's going to track that ball down.

So 530 to play. Here is Smith on the drive. Gets fouled by Boens. And Macy Smith will go to the free-throw line.

And Coach Jones is saying that that foul was on the ground.

[APPLAUSE]

So Ella Smith to the free throw line.

[APPLAUSE]

So Ellis Smith her grandma by the way, also has some memories of the state basketball tournament played for Mallard in the 70s, 73 to 73. And remembers there was a free throw contest at the state basketball tournament and talked to Noah and Trish and they said Jeanette would be watching from Arizona in this four a state championship game. So a shout out to you.

Friendly ducks. I love driving through Mallard. You get to see the big old duck on your way in and out of town. Just small town. Love.

[APPLAUSE]

So to the free-throw line now goes and Nia Boens six foot junior. Owens has come in two points, three rebounds, two blocks in the semis. Knocks a free throw in.

Another player for DCG that just comes in. Doesn't get a ton of minutes. But when she does come in, she works hard. She plays hard and does whatever she needs to do.

So a time-out taken as these teams now strategize for the final five minutes. Let's listen to Dallas Center-Grimes head coach Adam Jones in year number 11.

Double Comito make somebody else have it and then pressure that person the whole length of the floor. Okay. What you just did offensively is what we need to do. Move it, move it, move it, move it inside outside shot fake gets the basket. We got plenty of time. As long as we're getting stops. When you guys step up. If Comito spins don't take the charge.

[LAUGHTER]

It'll be four on her. All right.

Can you go back and triangle I think I think that's.

We don't cut it hard enough.

[LAUGHTER]

We can go back to triangle, but cut hard. Okay. All right. Here we go together. One, two three.

We gotta want it.

All right. Ellie strategizing for the final five minutes here. He remembers that photo from seven years ago of his daughters. And he's here and he's got his girls in the state championship game, and it comes down to some small details. Now, at this point, with five minutes left in the season.

Coach loves the inside outside play from his Mustangs. But the way that I took that time-out, he's challenging them on defense. He's got they got to keep up the defensive intensity and then I think he's also challenging one of his girls to take a take a charge on Comito when she does that spin move.

[APPLAUSE]

Boens gets the second free throw. So four points for Aniyah Boens in this championship game. Carlisle a two point lead. DCG with the take away.

Just a good head play right there by Leah Brauch. And again, it's so loud here in the Casey's Center where her teammates were yelling at her wolf. Right. That someone's coming in from behind you. But it's so loud in this atmosphere, it's really hard to hear out on the court.

Brauch wanted another three. She's made over 60 on the season and makes 42% of her three point tries. Here's Comito going to work. Clark inside to Smith. Now. Kicks it out and throws it out of bounds and Dallas Center-Grimes will get the basketball back. Trailing by two. DCG six straight 20 win seasons. They were the 2023 state champs trying to claim another state title. And for Carlisle, this is the school's first championship game appearance in basketball. State titles in softball, but never on the hardwood. And now Meyer on the drive gets around. Smith. Here's the kick. The three by Jones. No good. Offensive rebound by Boens now Comito with the steal. Here comes Macy Comito.

[APPLAUSE]

Comito keeps her dribble and gets it to Stoner. The two cousins headed to Iowa State. Comito for basketball. Stoner for softball.

Right there. Carlisle just staying on one side of the court. The whole possession. Able to get something to work out. That play went from nothing to something real quick.

Ellis Smith makes it a four point lead for the Wildcats.

[APPLAUSE]

Just joining us Carlisle and Red Dallas Center-Grimes in White hour for a championship game. Approaching the three minute mark, here's Ava Smid six points, ten rebounds. No good on the shot as Smith grabs another board.

Smith playing through some contact right there. She actually did get bumped in the face by Ellis Smith. But play goes on. You got to play through it.

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Clark at the top of the key guarded by Smith. Here's the take away the steal by Meyer. And now Meyer wants to attack. Goes to the rim. Oh good. Straight up defense by Thomas.

Very good defense. That was good defense by Macy Meyer. And then again it's the hustle play sprinting back on defense.

Now Kami Clark gets fouled up and down we go.

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I believe that went on Tessa Jones. And. The free throw by Clark is no good. Substitution. Into the game comes Olivia Freeman senior. No good on the second free throw and Meyer collects the rebound.

[APPLAUSE]

The Mustangs with the basketball trailing by four. Smid back to Brauch now inside to Smid. Now cross court. Here comes Tessa Jones. The runner draws the foul on Ellis Smith and it'll be two free throws coming for Tessa Jones and for Smith. That is her third. Free throw by Jones is good. And for Jones, her first point of this game. Zero for five. All of them three-point shot attempts as Jones on the season averages six and a half points per game, as she typically makes 40% of her three point tries as well, but yet to hit from the outside in this championship game and a time-out taken by Dallas Center-Grimes now down to a two point contest with just over two minutes to play.

And maybe that's just exactly what you need. If you're Tessa Jones getting to the free-throw line, seeing that ball go through the hoop may give her some more confidence, as she does get those open looks from the three.

Two minutes to go in this one, and we want to let you know. From artists to dreamers to everyday Iowans with inspiring stories, explore what makes our state shine in Iowa. Life. Join host charity Nebbe Mondays, 9:30 p.m. and Sundays at 10:30 a.m. or stream online anytime.

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Two minutes remain here in this for a championship game. Coming up next, our two A title game. The top two seeds in that field, Hinton and Rock Valley, will battle. And in class one A, the top two seeds, and Bishop Garrigan and Newell-Fonda will battle. It's two versus five here. Carlisle the five seed Ellie, their eighth trip to state as a school, their first since 2015. Their first trip under head coach Jim Flaws. And they have a two point lead right now and had a really strong third quarter.

They did. I mean, they were coming from behind, had an explosive start right from coming in after halftime and looking to get a bucket here in this possession. Looks like the Mustangs are going zone right here to putting a little bit of pressure on Comito forcing him to shoot on the outside.

Potentially fires the three rolls off the rim and the rebound underneath. Great play by Heidgerken. The sophomore has come up with some huge rebounds and gathered some huge loose balls. And Adam Jones, the DCG head coach, will call a time-out and talk things over with a minute 30. His Mustangs down two. Let's listen in to Dallas Center-Grimes and the Mustangs.

By the way. Leah's going to dribble with Macy. Ava's going to go here Tess. How's that happens. You float to this corner Eddie right there okay. Fake fake it. Back to Leah. Fake back to Leah. Macy. Ava. Ava and Ava, turn and shoot it. Or attack! Kick tack. There.

[LAUGHTER]

You'll be good.

[LAUGHTER]

This was in one, two, three. How many time-outs I have left? Two.

So out of that. Time out. Looks like they're drawing a play for Ava Smid. She can either attack or draw the defense, where she might have a kick out for a three.

And Ellie, that's finding the strengths of your players. He called Ava Smid the most instinctual player he's ever coached. Just has a great knack for space and how to get to open spaces. And now looking to help out Leah Brauch. And she does 15 on the shot clock.

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Ava Smid over to Abens trying to get it to Smid inside now. Brauch fires the three. It's short and rebounded underneath by Clark.

And that's just the defensive pressure from Olivia Freeman right. She's coming in off the bench just doing her job defensively, making it so tough even for Leah Brauch to get a three off right there.

The final minute of the class four A championship game.

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Carlisle.

Carlisle working some clock under ten. Here's Clark now down to the baseline. Fires from the baseline and the long rebound out to Comito. And the shot clock is turned off. DCG will have to foul and they do with 25 seconds left.

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Macy Meyer called for the foul. Her first. And for DCG just the third team foul.

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So DCG will need to foul another couple of times before it stops the clock and sends Carlisle to the free-throw line. Brauch fell down and Comito just ran away from the defense to run as much time off the clock as possible.

And again, if you're DCG, you do not let the ball in Macy Comito hands, right? You don't want her at the free-throw line, but Comito right. She knows it 21.5 seconds left. She wants the ball in her hands because she knows that the Mustangs are going to have to foul.

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.

Dallas Center-Grimes takes another time-out. This will be a full time-out. Carlisle trying to get the ball back into the hands of Comito on this inbound play. As head coach Justin Flaws says, you know, a lot of times I'll let the players talk in the huddle. They can see things and I trust them. It's like a lot of times I feel like I need to just keep the calmness in our huddle.

And if your DCG it ain't over til it's over, right? And we saw that, we saw that firsthand in that semifinal game. This game is not over until the clock is at zero. Yeah.

Absolutely. Ava Smid eight point run and 19 seconds part of a 16 point semifinal performance in a win over Norwalk. Just a crazy finish. They were down six with 45 seconds to play before Smid hit eight points. And that was when Dallas Center-Grimes trailed ten to nothing at the start of that contest.

[APPLAUSE]

Carlisle will inbound it with Ella Smith. Comito tries to get open. Inbound goes to Clark. Clark not fouled just yet. Now the whistle comes as I think DCG was trying to foul early and didn't get the call, so they kind of had to hit her a little harder.

Ellie than the refs. Come in, break it up break it up. We're good.

So Kami Clark to the free-throw line. She's zero for two. At the line tonight on the season. A 57% free-throw shooter. And that one rattles in and pops out. It stays a two point game. Missed them both. And a battle for the rebound. And it's last touch by DCG.

How about Ellis Smith right. Getting in the mix with all of that. She's had a couple big plays here down at the down at this end.

It's part of that instinctual ness isn't it. Just find a way. Even if you can't get the basketball Ellie. Sometimes just tipping it makes it hard for the other team to grab it and both head coach Justin Flaws and Macy Comito calling a time-out simultaneously on that inbound. After a few seconds of nobody to pass it to 16 seconds on the clock, Carlisle the basketball and a two point lead. Dallas Center-Grimes Ellie has to. I feel like foul right away. If you're Carlisle, what are you talking about in here? Ball security is so important.

Well, I'm drawing up a play right now. One to get Macy Comito the ball right, because DCG is going to have to foul and you want your best free-throw shooter at the line at this time. And that's Macy Macy Comito. So look to get the ball in her hands. And again if you're DCG try to get steal first obviously but foul as quick as you can because you don't have a lot of time that you're working with here.

And after either a stop or free throws Dallas Center-Grimes is going to have to go down. They're going to have to find a basket. Ellie, they have not made a field goal in this fourth quarter. As you see, Norwalk head coach Joe Siegrist watching on in this for championship game. Tip of the cap to Norwalk to so close. Too many tough breaks down the stretch. There.

And we've talked so much about this for a field. Incredible talent in terms of teams down here at the state tournament. But class Four-a has been something to see.

You mentioned Carlisle 25 and one, their only loss to West Des Moines Valley. They're the five seed and bounce pass goes to Ellis Smith who will march to the free-throw line with an opportunity to put the Wildcats up two possessions. If she could make both free throws. Now, coach Flaws says Ella is our calming voice in the huddle. She just has that moxie. Won a state softball title. Hits the first.

[APPLAUSE]

Freeman into the game for Thomas for Carlisle. Second free throw is buckets. It's a four point lead for Carlisle. Here comes Smid on the run. Smith has it knocked away. Loses it. It's regathered. Brauch going to have to fire it. It's a two. Toe is on the line. And a time-out taken by DCG to make it a two point game with 1.8 on the clock. What a shot by Leah Brauch.

[APPLAUSE]

To go.

[APPLAUSE]

Yes you're in.

So a two point lead.

Hold on I need I need Carlisle pattern here. All right. Right here we have time-outs. Rich rich rich.

Rich Coach Flaws draw.

Yep.

[LAUGHTER]

Have a seat. Hey, listen to Rich here. Now she's going to throw it underneath on Ella and Taylor here. We want we want Kami here then. And then we're going to take live here. And Macy Comito face.

Or do you want to go? Everybody else.

That's listening to Dallas Center-Grimes.

Catch, shoot or catch pass shoot freeze shot. Straight flush.

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One, two.

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Three.

[APPLAUSE]

I don't know.

[APPLAUSE]

What?

Carlisle basketball. A two point lead, 1.8 seconds to try and run off of the clock. And a deep home run pass to Freeman. She needs to touch it. Run two seconds off the clock. Carlisle, you are the four A state champions.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]

Dallas Center-Grimes gave quite the effort, but they come up short in this championship game to the fifth seeded Carlisle Wildcats 25 and one on the season. Now 26 and oh, 26 and one and state champs. Their only loss to Valley of the five, a field and a lot of motivation for Carlisle Coach Flaws playing for his mom, Colleen, who passed away in 2018. But these players as well, the school has been through a lot as well. Summer of 2024 Hannah Schaefer, a student, dies in a car accident at the age of 15 this last fall. Lucy Sietsma dies and have lost two friends. And they they were l l on their warm ups and they just want a state championship for their friends and for the Carlisle community.

Just means something more than basketball, right?

Let's send it over to Tim Fitzpatrick on the mic.

26 class four all tournament team from Carlisle Mallie Stoner. From Dallas Center-Grimes Macy Meyer.

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From Norwalk, Braylen Bermingham.

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From Bishop Heelan. Milena Snoozy.

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From Dallas Center-Grimes. Ava Smid.

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And your 2026 class four all tournament team captain. From Carlisle Macy Comito.

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Ellie Macy said we came in as underdogs, but we are going to give it our all. We feel like we can do it. They have done it.

She said. We have something to prove as a five seed and they prove something here tonight.

Comito in this contest finishes with 17 points. She's headed to Iowa State to play basketball next year. Mallie Stoner will be playing softball at Iowa State on the all tournament team, as well as junior Macy Meyer and sophomore Ava Smid of Dallas Center-Grimes.

Award for the four AA championship match. Presenting the award is Taylor Anderson of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. This year's top producer of the four AA championship game from Carlisle Macy Comito.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]

Well, you have a four a state tournament record 42 points. Yeah, you're almost a lock. Here we go with team awards.

Now for 2026. Is the Mustangs of Dallas Center-Grimes and head coach Adam Jones. Congratulations on an outstanding season.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]

And fans, your 2026 class four, a state champion. They punched their ticket to get here tonight. They redeem it as your class Four-a champions. The Carlisle Wildcats and head coach Justin Flaws.

[APPLAUSE]

What an outstanding state tournament run for Carlisle. What an outstanding season. Ellie.

It's just a bummer that when there can only be one, right? Two tremendous teams that put their heart and soul into their program, into a season. And again, there can only be one on top. And that is the Carlisle Wildcats.

Ella Smith holding the trophy. That one's for you, grandma Jenny, Jenny Rouse in that state tournament record books and Macy Comito celebrates as Carlisle wins the four a state championship game in 2026. Our first of three games coming up today here from Casey's Center. Let's go up top of the Casey's Center now. Paul Yeager is ready for more basketball.

Excellent work. Ellie and Brad little note here in the five player or the five class era here at the girls tournament. There's never been A4A title that low of a point total. You have to go all the way back to 2003, when there were only four classes. Ankeny scored 37 and won a state title. Today, 38 was great for Carlisle three down, two to go. That's five. There we go. All right, so we're just getting started here at Iowa PBS as your girls state basketball tournament coverage continues, a defending champ two way is potential there for a repeat. Then we got One-a to close it out. So stick around. More basketballs coming your way. And by the way, it's free and it's on your statewide network. It is Iowa PBS. We thank you. From the truck to the floor and up here and everywhere in between. Carlisle the winner in for so long from Des Moines for just a moment. 

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