Class 1A — Newell-Fonda Mustangs vs. Bishop Garrigan Golden Bears

Funding provided by -- 

Musco Lighting is honored to support Iowa PBS. We’re an Iowa company that lights local schools, community fields and stadiums, arenas and venues in more than 125 countries. While our reach is global, our commitment is local.

Fareway Meat and Grocery. For more than 80 years, Fareway has been proud to be an active part of the communities we serve. Learn more at fareway.com.

Banking in Iowa goes beyond transactions. Banks work to help people and small businesses succeed, and Iowa banks are committed to building confident banking relationships. Iowa banks, your partner through it all.

Pella Windows and Doors help bring your home to life. For more than 100 years, Pella has been dedicated to building a brighter future in Iowa communities. Pella Corporation is a proud supporter of Iowa PBS.

With our Iowa roots and Midwestern values, Farmers Mutual Hail is committed to offering innovative farm insurance for America's farmers, just as we have for six generations. Farmers Mutual Hail, America's Crop insurance company.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC]

This is the culmination of two broadcast and streaming days of nearly great games, four awesome games between Bishop Garrigan and Newell-Fonda. To end it. This is our 13th season here from Wells Fargo or from the Casey's Center. Boy, I'm so tired I can't even remember. But I know that the bears are strong, the Mustangs are strong, and so are a whole lot of you for sticking through us as we get ready for game number five. We've done this for 13 years, ten of the 12 years it's been either one of these two teams. Newell-Fonda or Bishop Garrigan. So why not introduce it a little bit more and tell you what's going to happen as we go down to the floor for the final game of the 2026 season? B.J. Schaben Laura Leonard have their call right now.

Thanks, Paul. It is time for state championship basketball here from the Casey Center. It's the class one, a title game as Newell-Fonda, the number two seed, takes on the top seeded Bishop Garrigan Golden Bears. Hi again everyone with Laura Leonard. I'm BJ Schaben and Laura. What a rivalry we have here.

Yeah, we really do. And I think when you think of these two teams, you think defense, but they are actually the number one and number two teams in scoring in one A. So it's going to be very tough to get points against their own defenses. But it's going to be a fun matchup.

As we take a look at the resumes. How about Newell-Fonda.

Yeah nine straight trips here to the state tournament. They were in the finals a year ago at double overtime loss to Saint Albert. And then they've got sisters that lead the way. A freshman and a sophomore. They just keep reloading year in and year out.

And for Bishop Garrigan.

Well seven straight times as Paul said you get to know him because they've been here a lot. Graceland Eastman is the player that does it all. You can see she averaged 17 points, but she also leads them in a lot of different categories and also senior Sacha Alesch. She also has over 1000 points. I told you, these two teams can score. They've got a couple of scorers on their team. She's going to go to Wartburg.

How about we turn it over now to Tim Fitzpatrick for the Iowa Bankers scholarship.

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 One-a is Sacha Alesch from Bishop Garrigan High School in Algona. Presenting the award is Sean Noonan from Farmers State Bank in Algona.

[APPLAUSE]

Well, the 2026 Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union state basketball championships here from the Casey Center in Des Moines, has been a fun filled week. And Laura, when you think about it, I mean, it has been jam packed day in, day out here.

It has been a great atmosphere. It has been packed almost every day and every night session and some really good basketball that we've seen a lot of great athletes that have come in the different levels, the different classes. We've seen a lot of great performances and a lot of close ball games.

Well, I tell you what, the future does look bright. In fact, earlier today, this morning they were hosting a clinic for youngsters that are in eighth grade and younger. And in fact, this clinic hosted over 100 girls from across the state. And it sold out in less than 20 minutes. Ellie Ruffridge, our colleague, was helping guide and lead the way. And how about that guy right there? He knows a thing or two about state championships.

Yeah, he sure does. Coach Young and not any better coaches right there than you're going to get some instruction from as a youngster. Those are people that you listen to because they have the track record behind them. To be able to tell you a little bit about the game and fundamentals.

Oh, what a fun morning it was. And everybody got pink T-shirts in hopes of someday seeing that instead of future champions, a state championship T-shirt, all part of the fun and festivities here at the girls state basketball tournament, the class won a tournament bracket. You see how things landed? Bishop Garrigan Newell-Fonda. That's who we have. Now. Let's turn it back over to Tim Fitzpatrick.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC]

Mustangs class Brad.

Newell-Fonda fans, let's hear it for your Mustangs.

[MUSIC]

Sunday

[MUSIC]

.

[MUSIC]

Find out.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC]

What's caught in the middle of a railroad track? Thunder

[MUSIC]

and the ground. And I knew there was no turning back. Thunder, my man Grace. And I thought, what could I do? Find it in you. There was no help. No help from you. Coming. With you Bishop Garrigan fans.

Give it up for your Golden Bears.

Tear me apart.

[MUSIC]

You've been fantastic.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC]

We hit the dance.

[MUSIC]

For the Texas. Yeah, Texas.

Fans, it's now time to introduce our players. In today's won a championship game. Today's team intros are brought to you by Hy-Vee. First, let's meet the Nonstarters and assistant coaches for their Newell-Fonda Mustangs. Number five Mina Adams. Number 11 Quinn Sievers. Number 15 Elliott Hamilton. Number 23 Danika Meyer. Number 25 Kennedi Hoberman. Number 31. Paige Erickson. Number 35 Camryn Puhrmann. Number 43 Madeline Vanderhoff. Number 51 McKayla Hanson. And number 53 Ella Roberts. Your assistant coaches Courtney Darrow, Julie Sievers, and Paul Leu. Now let's meet your nonstarters and assistant coaches for the Golden Bears of Bishop Garrigan. Number one Brooklyn Berte.

[MUSIC]

Number two Alyssa Haugland. Number five Addyson Faris. Number 11 Shiloh Trainer. Number 14. Rukia Nielson. Number 22 Brie Ludwig. Number 30 Ava Roethler. Number 34 Lillian Erpelding. Wickman. And number 42 Jenna Peterson. Your assistant coaches. Dr. Merle Tigges, Joe Bartolo, Mike Elbert, John Bartolo, and Lance Ludwig.

[MUSIC]

And now

[MUSIC]

here are your starters for this one. A championship for Newell-Fonda at guard, A57 sophomore. Number 13 Ellie Sievers. For Bishop Garrigan guard A55 senior. Number ten Emmi Bartolo. For the Mustangs at guard A, five six. Senior. Number 21 Mareni. Brabec. For the Golden Bears at forward, a six foot junior. Number 15 Gracelyn Eastman. For Newell-Fonda at guard A57. Junior. Number 33 Riley Hogrefe. For Bishop Garrigan at guard A 510. Sophomore. Number 20 Madelyn Tigges. For the Mustangs at guard A, five nine. Senior. Number 45 Ava Vie. For the Golden Bears at forward A, five eight. Senior. Number 23 Carly Nielson. And for Newell-Fonda at forward, a six foot senior. Number 55 Josie Walsh for Bishop Garrigan. And a guard five six. Senior number 24 Sasha Alesch. Head coach for the Mustangs is Dick Jungers for the Golden Bears Brandon Schwab.

[MUSIC]

.

Given.

Now, fans, let me introduce you, our officials, for this One.a Championship as assigned by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. Your referee, Brett Johnson, umpire Curt Strauss, umpire Blake Rank and your bench official, Dante Terry. All right, who's ready to win a state championship?

What a setting for Iowa girls high school basketball Laura. What are the keys to the game here?

Well, Newell-Fonda, we talked to Coach Jungers and he said, just play Mustang basketball. Do what we've done all season long, and then they have to win the boards. They're a little undersized. They're going to have to work a little harder on the glass. And then it's first quarter defense for Bishop Garrigan. They've only allowed five points in each of their first two games in the first quarter, and they're going to have to match the physicality that we are going to see here from this defensive Newell-Fonda.

It'll be Eastman and Vie jumping it up in the center circle, and this one is underway with the Golden Bears winning the opening tip, coming in at 24 and two only losses this season to West Des Moines Valley and Forest City, and a tie up right away. Possession arrow will give it to Newell-Fonda. The Mustangs also at 24 and two. You know they lost three starters from last year's team and a heartbreaking loss in the state championship a year ago. In double overtime, the Mustangs will wear those blue uniforms with gray numbers. And for the Golden Bears wearing their home whites with black numbers trimmed in gold. This shot good knocked down by Walsh and quickly into the frontcourt. And we're going to see a foul here called on Newell-Fonda as Alesch was trying to track down that ball.

Well, you know that the pace is going to be hectic and both of these defenses lean that way. They want to speed up on offense and they're going to be aggressive, get in passing lanes. They're going to gamble a little bit. But they know that they have each other's backs. They're going to back one another up.

I beg your pardon. That was Hogrefe with the basket. The five seven junior coming into the game averaging about ten per contest. And Bishop Garrigan I mean, they kind of rolled right through competition. Now you take on a familiar foe, if you will. A Sievers backs it in the lane and is going to be called for steps as the Mustangs will turn it over.

Well, these two had met up. It was on a regular basis. You could almost set your clocks to it, because they were going to match up in the championship game. Over the last several years, and they know each other very well. They would play each other in regular season before they got to the state tournament, but they have not seen each other for about 14 months. So maybe a little bit of a different wrinkle, a little bit of a different set that they might show one another.

And one Madelyn Tigges will go to the line as she draws contact. Great feed from Eastman.

That's a great look and a great dive down by Tigges to get to the hoop. Just moving without the ball. Going with authority and intention to get to the rim.

You mentioned the fact that they had some frequency in their series history. It's the seventh overall meeting between the two, and this is going to go against Newell-Fonda. As they will give the ball right back to Bishop Garrigan fourth time playing in the state championship game. Newell-Fonda has won two out of those three.

The last one for Bishop Garrigan was 2023 that they won that 1 in 2020, 2021. Newell-Fonda won those matchups.

Three ball on the way, a little strong by Nielson offensive board. Eastman and the put back away from Tigges. It'll be tracked down by Sievers.

You can see that Bishop Garrigan has a little bit of extra height, so they could win that battle, and you're going to have to look if you're Newell-Fonda, you got to get a body on a white jersey in the middle and push him away. Here's the dribble drive and going through the gauntlet.

Tigges with the Swat. Brabec off into the corner. She'll drive and the kick out to the corner. That's Sievers for three. Ellie knocking it down.

Good job with the dribble drive. And that's one of the things that the Mustangs do very well is get that dribble penetration. Get the defense looking their way and then dish it out to the shooters.

They'll kick it around Bartolo for three. What an answer.

And she was just waiting out their feet. Set again very much similar to what you're seeing with Newell-Fonda dribble drive. Kick it out to the three point shooters.

Sievers looks to go to work off of the screen, finds herself in traffic. Now to the corner. Hogrefe able to knock it down. She's got five.

You got your three point shooters that are just hanging right on the arc, and then you got your penetrators who get in and draw all the attention of the defense.

And that ball deflected down by Eastman. And it went right into the hands of Walsh, who was standing on the end line, and Newell-Fonda and Dick Jungers, in his 24 season, loves to play a lot of players. You're going to see that bench be worked heavily here tonight, and one of the most outstanding freshmen. You'll see. Quinn Sievers will check in for the first time as also coming in is going to be Cameron Puhrmann as well. And also Ella Roberts.

And for Newell-Fonda, it's about rotations. It's not necessarily about personnel and matchups. They've got rotations that they feel very comfortable with. On how they run the floor, how they run their offense. And I think that's what Coach Jungers looks at is who are the rotations and when are we going to get them in.

How about that? Ellie Sievers with a couple of triples and Brandon Schwab looking on as that ball as it went through the nylon was kicked away. A six point deficit here for the bears.

Skip pass. And then you draw everybody into the middle. Kick it out to where the three point shooter and she's pretty hot. You got to watch because you might get your pocket picked.

That one will be kicked away 22 on the shot clock. And the Mustangs also go back to their bench. Brabec will check back into the game along with Hogrefe. Checking out will be Ellie Sievers and Ava Vie.

[APPLAUSE]

For the Golden Bears. Leading the state in scoring, find themselves down by six.

Both of these teams not that far apart in scoring as Tigges gets inside.

What a move and all the way down the court. Eastman with the Swat. This is going to stay with Newell-Fonda.

And talk about that scoring average Bishop Garrigan 69.2. Newell-Fonda 68.7. And here's a look at that Swat from behind Eastman hustling down the floor playing a little catch up, but gets a clean block.

Ava Roethler checking in for the first time. The five six senior underneath Newell-Fonda able to cap it off as Hogrefe has had herself an opening quarter now with seven.

Well, that's what Brabec does for this team. She's a good player that sees the floor able to get her teammates open.

Bartolo controlling it here. Looks to drive in, caught up and is going to be called for a travel. So Bishop Garrigan will turn it over as the Mustangs also go back to their bench again. Jocee Walsh will check back in.

I think if you play for Newell-Fonda, you know you're going to get 3 or 4 hard minutes and I think that's what they want out of you. Go out there. We're going to give you the here are the rotations. You're going to get for three minutes. Play it hard and then we're going to get you out for a breather. Bring in the next wave.

Turnover and another turnover right back to back for each team 301 to play here in the opening quarter. So for the Mustangs out on the floor as you look at Brandon Schwab guiding his team to 17 straight wins to this championship game, you mentioned they won back to back titles in 22 and 23. What a program. Here's Quinn on the drive again blocked away by Eastman. Everybody's going to hit the deck and the Bears will get it as it's tied up.

We have somebody like Eastman hanging around in the back on the back end of the defense. You can afford to be a little more aggressive out on the perimeter, and that's what the guards are doing, knowing they have a shot blocker behind him.

She has more than 80 blocks on the season, which is one of the top three in class one a now, but the bears need to find the basket down by six. Here's Bartolo will spot up, takes the tough jump shot and the rebound to Newell-Fonda they look to run Brabec out ahead to Sievers gets it and one Quinn Sievers going to the line now.

Get the ball out on the break a little lob pass. Get that footwork right. And she knew there was going to be some contact from Tigges. Laid it up there with a little floater off the glass.

Quinn Sievers 18 points in the last game eight rebounds off the bench and only five foot four. But a load of dynamite. She'll check out of the game as Ava Vie will be in. And how about this start for Newell-Fonda yesterday. Getting off to a slow start. Down ten nothing in the semifinals against Council Bluffs St. Albert. They were able to come back not only once, but twice. They got down by double digits to advance to the championship game. Here. Now the bears trying to break the pressure in backcourt with Addyson Faris who's into the game for the first time, will get it away to Bartolo now for three. That's her second triple.

Play 17 points in the semifinal game, ten in the quarterfinals. So she has the hot hand down here and same spot. She hit her first one from.

What an action packed opening quarter. You'd expect that between these two as the shot wide of the mark rebound to Faris who's having some trouble in backcourt.

[LAUGHTER]

Now Bartolo will control it for the bears. Bishop Garrigan last season knocked off in the semifinals back into the title game. Here's Eastman. What a shot for her first basket. The team's leading scorer averaging about 18 per game.

What an athletic shot too. That ball got knocked away. Able to right herself and knew that she needed to get that shot up.

Brabec good step in. Can't get it to fall. Rebound to Sievers her put back. Is there Ellie Sievers with eight.

Sievers was not going to be content to just bring it back out and get set back up. She stepped right into that one and pulled the trigger.

Garrigan will turn it over. Here come the Mustangs. Good. Dump down. Pass to Walsh and she'll go to the line to shoot some free throws. Here.

Good old pick and roll play that they worked up. Top. Good role by Walsh leading her right to the basket. Eastman gets caught from behind.

That's her first personal foul. The team's second. Walsh able to net the first one.

[APPLAUSE]

Jose came into the tournament just shooting around 54%. But in the state tournament as well. I'll wait till she shoots this one, shall we? Here. Every free throw here at the state tournament. My goodness.

Smart move on your part. I know people don't believe in that. Broadcasters jinx, but it sure happens a lot.

Too much. Alesch into the frontcourt drives. Has a deflected away going to be picked up by Paige Erickson, who just checked in, and a foul will be called here on Bishop Garrigan.

On Roethler.

Yep. Ava will pick up her first. 13 foul. 35 seconds to play here in this opening quarter. Newell-Fonda shooting at a very, very high mark in this opener right at 58%. A lot of turnovers by the bears eight points off of turnovers so far for the Mustangs. Vie will kick it out to Quinn Sievers. Here's Ellie good spin and finish.

Wow what a quarter for Sievers. And that was a great pass from the youngster. Quinn Sievers.

Still got time Ellie at half court and it'll be picked off. And no shot by the bears. But a ten point lead for Newell-Fonda.

[APPLAUSE]

As we played one quarter of basketball, let's go to Paul Yeager, who's standing by.

Thank you B.J. Thank you Laura. And there are traditions here at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union basketball tournament, also for the boys as well. By the way. We'll tell you about that in a little bit. But let's talk girls now. Let's talk teams that come to state. You could identify yourself on a map that used to hang in Vets Auditorium. Now we've brought the pass back to you. There's a picture of the map, the map itself, and it would light up wherever the towns were from. Well, we've been in eastern Iowa. We've been in far northwest Iowa, central. Now we're in north central to northwest again. Newell-Fonda, 138 miles from the Casey Center and 112 miles from Algona, where Bishop Garrigan is located in Kossuth County to get to Des Moines. So they're not too far apart again next to each other. But that is just always our way of updating an old tradition. And one thing that's a new tradition is for you to take your phone out right now and scan that QR code that's on your screen, and support the work we do here at Iowa PBS. So take out your phone. You know, you're doing screen grabs of all sorts of things. So snap that. Click on the support Iowa PBS. Or you can call ( 800) 728-2828. Because Congress recently cut $3.5 million of our federal funding, the largest one time cut in our history for 55 years, that's 18% of our budget. So you can make the difference and join our team right now. Scan that QR code and help us out. Now you know who else is helping us out? Down on the court? B.J., Schaben and Laura Leonard. They have quarter number two right now.

Thanks a lot, Paul. Yeah, we're tallying up some stuff here. 62% by Newell-Fonda shooting in that first quarter, 38% for Bishop Garrigan with those five turnovers, we start the second quarter of play inside. And again, the hot shooting continues as Hogrefe able to knock it down as she has nine Ellie Sievers with ten through that opening quarter of play to lead Newell-Fonda Emmi Bartolo. She's been trying to steer the ship here. She has six as Eastman will have it inside. Can't get the tough roller to fall. Quinn Sievers with the rebound and will draw contact from Bartolo, who will pick up a foul here. That'll be her second for Emmi Bartolo.

What a fun matchup. This is going to be. Bartolo and Sievers two very talented point guards going at one another.

Now Quinn, who comes off the bench but really gets starter minutes. Back been averaging here at the state tournament over 26 minutes per game. That's by using about 11 different players. This Newell-Fonda a rare miss by the Mustangs. It'll be tracked down by the bears.

First three pointer that they've missed.

I'd say they came in locked in Bartolo to Eastman. That's a deuce.

And that's what you have to continue to do because they do that have that height advantage. Take your time. Be patient. Work the ball around. Let Eastman get set up in the block.

The three by Sievers it's off the mark and a foul going to be called on Eastman. That'll be her second. So you've got Bartolo and Eastman each with two fouls.

[APPLAUSE]

As Newell-Fonda again will go back to their bench, checking back into the game is going to be Walsh. She's joined on the floor by Brabec Hogrefe. Ellie Sievers and Ava Vie inside Walsh can't get close to the rim. Great defense that time. By Eastman.

It really was. She's done a really nice job down low and now she's going to have to change things, alter things a little bit because she does have those two fouls.

Alesch got a good look. Just couldn't get it to go down.

[LAUGHTER]

So the starting five out on the floor for Newell-Fonda zone. Look here by Bishop Garrigan.

Trying to skip over the top of it.

They go to Brabec off into the corner. Great recovery by Nielson. Shot clock starting to wind down inside of ten. Tough shot. Guess who gets it? Rylee Hogrefe came into the game again, averaging ten now in double figures with 11.

Just slid into an open spot. You can't let her have that front position if you're playing defense down low you got to fight her for that spot.

Here's Ellie Sievers on the drive. Can't get it to fall. Bears will push it ahead to Bartolo too far ahead and another turnover. Brabec says, hey, let's run in the lane, finds a teammate. What a connection. Brabec able to find Walsh for her first field goal.

Brabec did the right thing. Kept bringing the ball a little deeper, a little deeper until the defense came up and stopped her. And then she dished it off.

This one on the ground, and they're going to rule it a tie up possession arrow will keep it with the Bears. And again, somewhat of a line change for the Mustangs. Three in. Paige Erickson, Quinn Sievers make it four coming out onto the floor. Along with Cameron Puhrmann Elle Roberts also joining him. Here's Bartolo. She'll fire a three and hit her third triple of the first half.

And she is trying to keep her team in this ball game. Found different spots on the floor. Wow. That's just you know what? That's just being moving constantly in motion, always being in the right spot. And that's a good job. By Sievers.

Both of them. The Sievers connection. You know, they combined for 35 points in their quarterfinal win against Saint Ansgar. Quinn now with five. And a steal inside by Puhrmann out ahead. They look to run it and an errant pass will give it right back to Bishop Garrigan.

Maybe got a little ahead of themselves. There's this, the dump inside and then just the tip and Sievers filling the gap, moving towards the ball.

Alyssa Haugland into the game for the first time. The five five senior for Bishop Garrigan. Now the pace of this game, it is a track meet now a steal. Here's Quinn Sievers for could not get it to cap off Haugland with the rebound to Bartolo. To the top this three won't fall and Quinn Sievers with another rebound. And the dump down underneath. Newell-Fonda having some tougher time inside as this ball is going to be deflected out.

Quinn Sievers isn't afraid to throw that baseball pass. And she gets a lot of mustard behind it when she lets it go. So as a teammate, you have to be ready for that. If it's coming your way.

[APPLAUSE]

So the pace of the game to the Mustangs liking it's a track meet. Hockey line changes for Bishop Garrigan. How do they slow and settle things down?

Just like this takes some time off the clock. Work the ball around. Keep moving. Look for cuts. Maybe try to give a little ball fake, see if he can get him out of position.

Bartolo three left short and the rebound comes down to by Sievers goes inside Walsh lets traffic flow by and a foul here on Bishop. I believe this is going to be on Nielson which will be her first.

[LAUGHTER]

It really is hard after Newell-Fonda has thrown this first punch in the first quarter where they have extended the lead and gotten out to the lead and sometimes hard to kind of shake the cobwebs out of your head and get yourself back into the right frame of mind. And I Bishop Garrigan is going to have to try to find that focus again, starting now and heading into the locker room and make some adjustments.

Both free throws missed by Walsh. The rebound comes down to the Bears. Alesch will draw some contact two hands out by Vie whistled up top and now Ellie Sievers will come back into the game for Quinn. Sievers.

[APPLAUSE]

If you're Bishop Garrigan, you're thinking, all right, three minutes. We gotta get a few stops on offense. Got to convert.

And a steal by Walsh. Ellie thought about it, backed off now. Gets it inside the paint. The two.

And they're just getting the ball into the middle so easily. And. You have to be able to get those stops and then convert here on the offensive end.

Here's the three. Bishop Garrigan could not get that to fall.

But you can't be upset with that shot. It was good ball movement. They moved it around. They got the open shot. Just couldn't connect.

The lead at 15 as nearing the two minute mark and a time-out going to be taken here by Bishop Garrigan Brandon Schwab burning his first time out. And it comes with 211 to play here in the first half. Let's go inside of that Bishop Garrigan huddle as we've got the coaches miked up all tournament long. Always great to get the inside and really appreciate that. But let's see what the bears are going to say right here.

Hey, settle down. Long game. I need your brains to stay in an attack mentality. In transition. The ball is sticking too much when we have them numbers, we've got to give it up and we've got to move that ball when we've got our numbers, okay? We've got to move the ball. We're getting great shots on the offensive end. We'll fall okay? Keep taking good shots. I got no issue with any of those shot attempts okay. We're for high Gracelyn start low this time or let's go for high to Madeline this time. Madeline, pop gracelyn down here. Grayson, you're the screen across. Madeline, get downhill this time, okay?

[LAUGHTER]

Hey, we're back to man half court, man defensively. Get our matchup. Get our matchup. You've got to not be blocking shots okay. Let's go. Come on. We are. You're downhill.

Yeah they've got it. They've got to continue to move the ball with precision. It does get stuck at times. And thought that last time they had the ball on offense they did swing the ball around and got a good look at it. And he's right. They're going to fall eventually. You can't get down on yourself. So continue to work. Continue to attack.

[APPLAUSE]

15 point lead for Newell-Fonda now foul will be called on Hogrefe. Her first. It's been Hogrefe and Ellie Sievers leading the way both in double figures for Newell-Fonda. Bishop Garrigan getting nine points out of Bartolo who just got the ball, inbounded. Newell-Fonda doing a nice job clogging the paint. Here's Nielson on the drive, deflected away by by.

They're able to skip it. Get the open look. Went into attack mode and then everybody congregated for Newell-Fonda right in the middle. Good block from behind.

That's her third block by Eastman. Now an errant pass as she tried to kick it out. Sievers will end up with it. Quinn down the court to Ellie.

Pinpoint pass again. That baseball pass. One of the smallest players on the floor. And she threw it. Three quarter court.

Looking to work with it. Tigges the kick out to the corner. This three by Nielson not there. Rebound deflected out. It's going to stay with Bishop Garrigan. See the steal numbers sitting at nine as Newell-Fonda just two for Bishop Garrigan. And how about the Sievers going from the east coast to the west coast if you will, here at Casey's Center.

And that's just a freshman point guard looking up the floor to see what's happening in front of her, and uses that strong arm to get it down the floor.

And here she goes again. Now to Brabec. They'll dump it into Walsh back to a man to man defense here for Bishop Garrigan.

She needs to remember that. Got two fouls on Eastman could have gone right at her. Try to pick up a third.

But why not give it to the freshman and Quinn Sievers? It's been pretty automatic here. Seven for Quinn. In the paint. That pass batted around. Garrigan up with it from the foul line. That jump shot good by Sacha Alesch her first basket.

The bucket they needed desperately.

[LAUGHTER]

Now they're going to hold for one.

Quinn Sievers again just the freshman younger sister Ellie. Looks to work with it now. We'll take a step back. Three. Why not? Boom.

She got. I'm just shaking my head because she got the defense out of position with a little head bob. And then took a couple more dribbles to the left. Step in, step back and knocked down a huge three pointer.

In double figures with ten. So that's three Mustangs in double figures, including Quinn Sievers. That's electric. As we go to Paul Yeager.

I had to look something up.

I know you can see the stats there in real time and I can too, but I had to just make sure I was reading something right on the field goal percentage here. And we'll ask Dick Jungers, the head coach of Newell-Fonda here in just a moment as he gets ready to join us, and we'll talk to Brandon Schwab here coming out of halftime. But we are here coming up into halftime of this one a game. It's game five of our championship coverage for the girls. and we are ready now with coach Dick Jungers. Coach. All right 55% shooting from the field. No surprise for you. You've seen this team. How did you do it.

I don't know if I did anything I think we've got some kids that are moving the ball well and taking some open looks, and they're drilling them. Like I said, they're playing some really good basketball right now.

I've seen you play dozens of times. It seems over the years here and you run teams off the floor. Nine steals creating turnovers. Again, always the game plan, but why is it working so well tonight.

You know I don't know if I really have a good explanation. I just know that our kids are flying all over the place and we're putting good ball pressure on them. I feel like defensively we've been able to just kind of get them just a little bit uncomfortable and then offensively, I just think our kids are really moving well without the basketball. And we found some creases in their defenses. So right now I just think that, you know, the first 16 minutes were off to a great start. And hopefully we can keep that going.

All right coach thank you so much. Appreciate your time.

Thank you.

That's head coach Dick Jungers. You can tell the floor is getting dark because we're going back down to it for a couple special awards tonight from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

[MUSIC]

I know you won't be.

Ladies and gentlemen, the Jack North Award is given annually to the top senior performer at the state basketball tournament from the previous year. This year's recipient of the Jack North Basketball Award is Libby Fendall of Cedar Rapids. Xavier Libby was brilliant in the 2025 class four state tournament, helping Cedar Rapids Xavier win the for a state title as the eighth seed. Libby averaged 26.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists in last year's tournament and route to being named the Iowa Gatorade Basketball Player of the year and Miss Iowa Basketball. Libby is currently a freshman at the University of Kansas, where she has started 17 games and averages 3.6 points per game. Congratulations to the Jack North Basketball Award winner from Cedar Rapids, Xavier Libby Fandel, accepting on behalf of Libby, our parents, Matt and Ashley.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC]

Every year, the NFA and NFO recognize outstanding officials in every sport across the United States. The 2026 recipient of the NFO Girls Basketball Official of the year award is Steve Klein of Kyoto, presenting Steve with this award is basketball administrator Tanya mo and basketball officials coordinator Chuck Britton. Steve has been an official since his sophomore year at William Penn. His passion for officiating has led him to work some of the top contests in the state. He has officiated more than 20 state tournament games in both boys and girls basketball. In addition to his on court accomplishments, Steve has been an active recruiter and mentor for new officials. His dedication to the game, and commitment to developing young officials have made a lasting impact across Iowa. Please join us in congratulating the 2026 NFO Iowa girls Basketball Official of the year from Kyota Steve Klein.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC]

The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union's Golden Plaque of Distinction Award honors a coach who has built a successful career while making lasting contributions to their school, community and the coaching profession.

[MUSIC]

The 2026 recipient of the Basketball Golden Plaque Award is Tom Petersen of Elk Horn-kimballton, presenting Tom with his award is IGHSAU Executive Director Aaron Gerlich and basketball administrator Tonya moe. The season marks Tom's 28th year of coaching. During that time, he has earned more than 500 career victories and led ten teams to the state tournament, including a berth in this year's class Whitney Field. He guided his program to a class AA state championship in 2010, and has been recognized with numerous honors, including Ibca and GK coach of the year. He is a member of the Iowa Girls Coaches Association Basketball Hall of Fame, and is a finalist for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association National Coach of the year award. Beyond basketball, Tom has served as athletic director at Elkhorn Kimballton and has also coached football, golf, baseball, and softball. Tom and his wife, Jennifer are the proud parents of four children Tyler, Trey, Taryn, and Thomas. Ladies and gentlemen, please join us in congratulating the 2026 Basketball Golden Plaque of Distinction Award recipient from Elkhorn Kimballton. Tom Peterson.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC]

The character counts coach of the Year Award honors a coach who embodies the six pillars of character trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. Presenting this year's award is Scott Rucker and Chuck long. The 2026 recipient of the Character Counts Coach of the year is Robin Brand of Mount Vernon. Robin has taught and coached softball at Mount Vernon High School for 16 years. During the span, she has collected over 350 wins, guiding the Mustangs to the 2022 state title. After placing second in the state in 2021. Robin has also served as an assistant coach on Mount Vernon State Champion volleyball teams, and has also coached track and field, basketball and swimming. Ladies and gentlemen, congratulations to the 2026 recipient of the Character Counts Coach of the year from Mount Vernon. Robin Brand.

[MUSIC]

In addition to her coaching duties at Mount Vernon, Robin is also softball coach at Cornell, where she is coaching the team in Florida and is unable to be here to accept her award. Here to accept the award on behalf of her children Nolan, Caleb and Cameron and her husband Steve.

[MUSIC] [MUSIC]

Also, on behalf.

Of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

Newell-Fonda leads here and the one, a title game. By 20. We'll have a special interview here in a moment when we return to the state tournament.

[MUSIC]

I believe in something so much bigger than us.

We're the Texas Tenors. Don't miss our new special faith and inspiration.

Coming soon to this public television station.

[MUSIC]

That's a guide thing. I don't know what it is, but I know it's a God thing.

Thursday evening at seven 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.

Such a meaningful part of Iowa PBS is is the coverage of unique Iowa events, and part of that is our high schools and our kids programs. Whether it's athletics or otherwise, the state fair coverage, that's such a part of the fabric of Iowa. And I think just the the programing that covers things meaningful to our people in our state.

To learn more about becoming a corporate sponsor on Iowa PBS, call or visit us online.

Enjoy the architecture, history and culture of some of Iowa's most iconic buildings with the historic Buildings of Iowa Collection. Explore the sites, structures, and landmarks that make the communities of Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Dubuque, Mason city, Clear Lake, Davenport, and Council Bluffs. Statewide treasures. The entire series is available with Iowa PBS Passport today.

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.

Iowa PBS celebrates Festival with special programs, concerts and exclusive in-person events. Choose from experiences like a day tour of historic Davenport, the cheeky manners for the modern era at the Iowa PBS studios, or an exclusive tour of Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, all taking place this year. Call 877 nine 7000. Visit iowapbs.org. And support Iowa PBS today.

We're Iowa PBS. We cover Iowa and the world where market to market. An Iowa press.

[MUSIC]

Where high school sports.

[MUSIC]

We're science.

[MUSIC]

We're adventure.

[MUSIC]

We're drama and mystery.

[MUSIC]

We're the arts. And we're Iowa's storyteller. We're lifelong learners. We're family first. We're educational. We're trusted. We're valued. We're essential.

[MUSIC]

Your support makes all of this happen. Give today at iowapbs.org.

You're watching statewide Iowa PBS.

We've shown you the map. We've shown you the Hall of Fame. Now it's time to show you yet another tradition here at the state basketball tournament. That's the tuxedo sweep. A group of students put on their. Well, we'll call it Saturday night. Best. They dim the lights, the spotlight comes down, and they do the tuxedo sweep. And it ends like that every single time. Never gets old. I'll tell you here at the tournament. Hello, everybody. How you doing? We've got four down. Well, four and a half. We got one half to go, but we need to show you. Well, here's the thing. B.J. Laura had to take a break because they had to talk a lot in the first half. There was a lot of up and down in this contest between Newell-Fonda and Bishop Garrigan. Let's show you the first half highlights, because there was a lot going on, and it's going to be pretty easy for a couple of things. Emily Bartolo early on, there were great trading shots and shot Bartolo there. She would finish with nine in the first quarter. There was another three that she would hit and Newell-Fonda would have a lot of offense after this highlight, then it would just be what Newell-Fonda does to many, many teams. It is a track meet. It's down low. Sievers the spin and the score. The two Sievers sisters are dynamite in this one. Good rebound. Back up 15 foot jumper. Good. And then one more for Ellie Sievers. She would have 14 first half points. Quinn would have ten. And that's how we stand here at halftime. When we come back, the executive director of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union will join us back after this here from the state tournament in Des Moines.

What they've done and.

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.

There's a new way to stay connected and know what's happening with market. Subscribe to our Market Insider newsletter. One email and a lot of information awaits you. Each Monday, we'll ship you stories from behind the camera with a recap of what we've done and what's coming up next on the show.

[MUSIC]

Go to Market to Market and subscribe to Market Insider.

[MUSIC]

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.

[MUSIC]

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

[MUSIC]

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.

Halftime Newell-Fonda and Garrigan. The Mustangs up 3919. Joining us now the executive director of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, Erin Gerlach, is here. So, Erin, anything going on this week? Just a little basketball. And then Thursday happened. Let's talk about the viral moment. I Brad Ellie and I were sitting courtside watching that. We just could not believe what we saw. And then all of a sudden the scoring takes off, the internet blows up. What does that say when a moment like that people are watching, right? They are interested in this tournament, right? Yes.

And all eyes quickly were on Iowa. And so, you know, there's two sides of the coin, right? There's a team that gets to to celebrate a miraculous victory. And then, you know, a team that's left with heartache. And so, you know, to try to be cognizant of both sides of the coin for our organization is what we tried to do moving forward there. But, you know, kudos to DCG. They never gave up. And you know, that was evident. You know, as they moved forward that evening.

So a little history. We've had a three time champ a couple of first time champs. Probably going to one of these two are going to win another title. Garrigan or Newell-Fonda. So you had that perfect mix almost this week of teams.

Yes. Yep, yep.

What does that mean when you get some new and some old blood to the tournament?

Yeah. You know, I think it's a it's a great combination. Right. You get those teams that come in with the rich history, the rich traditions. They have a great fan base, but it's really fun to get teams who either haven't been here before at all or who haven't been here for a while. Right. And so, I mean, that was evident. I think, even with Carlisle. They brought their whole community, which was great for a city early on. It was their spring break, so we weren't sure if they were going to have, you know, if they were all going to be in Cancun or if they were going to be here. And and it was very evident that they they wanted to be at the Casey Center to support their team, which was really fun.

Probably many people watching it on the beach somewhere, hopefully. So wrestling, wrestling was huge again this year. Yeah. It was. Why?

Because girls love wrestling, you know? I mean, I think it's a sport where, you know, they get to they get to show their their grit. They get to show their strength. And it's becoming more and more of a team sport as those numbers are growing. And so I think people are just falling in love with the sport. And it's really fun to watch that continue to take off.

Okay, I told you I was going to bring props and you just didn't believe me. You should know by now. Erin. Okay, this is a pennant that I saw on press row. That's the Iowa Girl Foundation. Proud donor 2025. So that's last year's the Iowa Girl Foundation is new. It is new. Tell me what it is.

Yeah. So our Iowa Girl Foundation is really. Do I get to hold this up? So our Iowa Girl Foundation really is it's come to fruition over this last year really to support the initiatives of our scholarships, our Empowering the Iowa Girl Initiative, which is a lot of extra programing. We want to we want to provide resources to schools for free. We want to meet people where they are and just provide them with opportunities to empower the Iowa girl, right? To build them, to build future leaders. And so all of those things take money. And so we are so excited to have the Iowa Girl Foundation to be able to do that.

All right, Erin, thank you so much. Great to see you as always. Erin Gerlach, executive director of Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. And it helps teams and coaches like Brandon Schwab, who's down on the sidelines now, the head coach, coach, that first half kind of turned into a track meet. You've seen this before. How do you turn the script?

Well, you know they came out with a barrage. I mean they they're playing very well. They're hitting shots. They're attacking us defensively. We're we're not as sound as we've been. But you know what? It's a whole 'nother half. We're in a state championship right now. And we're going to do everything we can to get this son of a gun to ten. Before the end of the third.

You had great shooting to start the game. Obviously you would just love to put that carbon copy. But again, how do you just get those good looks that you.

Need confidence in each other. Stay downhill. We need to attack them in transition. And we need to trust each other and fire that three coach.

Appreciate it. Thank you. Thank you. Brandon Schwab the head coach for Bishop Garrigan. And I told him they're not going to start the game until we get done here. So let's go back down to the floor with B.J. and Laura for half number two.

Well thank you very much, Paul. I think as we get the second half started that second quarter, the best line I heard was well that escalated quickly. When talking about Newell-Fonda and shooting folks, they're shooting 55% for the game, 57% from downtown. As we get you set for the second half, it is a 20 point lead for Newell-Fonda. They have Ellie Sievers, Jocee Walsh, Ava Vie, Mareni Brabec and Rylee Hogrefe out on the floor. They finished on an 11 two run to end the first half. They go inside and they are on a 13 to 2 run as Jocee Walsh now checks back into the scoring column. She has six for the bears. They've got Gracelyn, Eastman, Emmi Bartolo, Madelyn Tigges, Carley Nielson and Sacha Alesch as the Bears get an answer back.

Yeah, you heard coach say get downhill attack on offense and try to get this thing to within ten. And so they have a goal what they want to do. So you kind of have to break it down half by half by quarter by quarter and minute by minute. Really. You just have to have some goals to be able to get yourself refocused. But you got to get some stops defensively.

Jocee Walsh has not stopped moving, and that's allowed herself to get open a couple of quick field goals to begin the second half. And a foul going to be called here on Walsh. As going to the line will be Madelyn Tigges the 510 sophomore. Leading scorers in this game Ellie Sievers with 1411 for Riley Hogrefe Quinn Sievers with ten. Emmi Bartolo leading the way for Bishop Garrigan with nine. And an offensive board by Nielson. They go back inside and a charge will be called as Brabec takes one for the team and that will be Eastman's third.

Just when you think you're going to get a second chance opportunity right here, the rebound by Nielson and Brabec just holds her ground. Even though she saw Eastman coming right at her. You're right. Took one for the team.

Here's by going to be tied up. Possession arrow Bishop Garrigan. So they get a stop.

And you got to start stringing those together. Now you've got to start stringing the stops together. Get on a run on the offensive side of things as well. And they've started to do that offensively. They've started to be aggressive.

And this is going to go to Newell-Fonda.

And that's what Newell-Fonda will do to you. Even though they had the turnover, they were going the other way. Garrigan was they they turn up the heat and they just continue to torment you on defense.

Eastman with those three fouls will remain in the game. Alesch goes inside and a little too strong on the shot. Madelyn Tigges gets her own rebound and will head back to the line again.

I think if that's on Walsh that will be three on her and she's had a good start here to this third quarter.

[APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER]

So tickets there for two.

Yeah. Coach said that Tigges is the the player that just does all the little things does the dirty work in the quarterfinals she had seven blocks, five assists six rebounds. And those are the things that don't always people don't talk about. They talk about scoring. They talk about three pointers, but they don't talk about the little things. And that's what she brings to this team.

Garrigan trying to break the double team in backcourt but stepping on the sideline was Tigges. And Newell-Fonda cranking up the pressure here in the second half. And back court.

The only word I can think of is it's relentless. It just is always there in your face.

They play a lot of players, but they look to run, run, run and press, press press off into the corner. This three can't get it to fall and the rebound to Tigges. Bartolo can't handle the pass.

And I think just the mere knowledge that the defense is lurking somewhere still speeds you up. And Tigges got that rebound. Wanted to get it out to Bartolo quickly, but feared that there was going to be a defender right there. Saw out of the corner of her eye.

Madelyn Tigges. I mean, if Bishop Garrigan is trying to find some energy, they're getting it out of Tigges just got her second block right there. As the Mustangs go back to their bench, Quinn Sievers in for the first time. Late half along with Paige Erickson. Also into the game is Ella Roberts. Newell-Fonda has used nine players in this game. Back to a zone look this three at the top. Little strong. Getting her own rebound back was Erickson. And Alesch able to clear it. Go inside to Eastman. Gets to the basket. And now a time-out going to be taken here by Bishop Garrigan.

They are starting to get the ball inside. They're starting to get some connections get some good looks. That was a difficult shot by Eastman but able to put it through the hoop.

Well if you're thinking Bishop Garrigan and you think of those back to back state titles, they got in 22 and 23. This lady right here on your screen had a large part of that, and she has not forgotten her alma mater. That's Audi crooks who's in the house. And of course, having a fantastic career at Iowa State. The schools second time, our number two on the list for all time, scoring just behind Ashley Jones and Audi's invested in this Bishop Garrigan program.

Yeah, she really is. And you might see on their bench you see the T-shirts that the players are wearing. It says ever loyal 55 on them. And part of that is because Audi bought them new uniforms, not only home uniforms but away uniforms. And the way that this team is showing their respect and their loyalty. Back to Audi for being loyal to them, is honoring her with those T-shirts in the loyal, ever loyal 55. Great gesture by Audi Crooks.

As Hogrefe gets the basket right there and you think about her and Molly Joyce. They spent a lot of time with this team as they were growing up, and the players haven't forgotten about that.

No, not at all. And they said that, you know, those two players when they graduated. First of all, I think a lot of people said, well, you know, our run is done. And I think that put a little chip on the shoulder of these players because they wanted to prove that they were just as good and they could get their team back to the state tournament, and they have done that. But a lot of the credit does go to Molly Joyce and Audi Crooks for working with these players when they were youngsters, when they were in the third and fourth grade and getting them to understand and learn what you need to do to be a good basketball player. I think Gracelyn Eastman said to us, I didn't even know how to use my left hand until I met Audi.

Both on and off the court to as Newell-Fonda able to get this offensive board brought back the deep shot. Can't get it to fall. And Molly Joyce also having a great run in college, named the newcomer of the year and the Summit League, playing at South Dakota as she transferred from her original school. As you see Tigges able to knock down the field goal, she now has eight.

Tigges coming alive. She's the one that's trying to ignite this team and see if they can get on a little bit of a roll.

4529 Brandon Schwab seeing his team on an eight two scoring run. Heard the coach say wanting to get it down to ten. Four minutes to play in the third quarter.

And you have to believe if they can get it in that range, that's going to give them a ton of confidence going into the fourth quarter. You've met your goal and now you've got the fourth quarter and you're within reach to be able to make the comeback.

[LAUGHTER]

So the Bears, with another offensive possession here up top with Alesch off to Bartolo for three. Can't get it to fall. She's missed her last three since making her first three to begin the game. Now Quinn Sievers looks to attack, goes down low. That ball deflected out. It's going to go to Bishop Garrigan.

[APPLAUSE]

Ellie Sievers will reenter the lineup along with Riley Hogrefe.

[APPLAUSE]

Kind of feel like they need to get a little jolt themselves. Need to get some scoring back in that lineup. And that's what the rotations are all about for Coach Jungers is that he senses which way the game is moving and knows which personnel that he needs in there to get things going back in the right direction.

[APPLAUSE]

Back up top. They'll go inside to Eastman. Good steal by Newell-Fonda Ellie Sievers up with it. Off to Quinn for three and the rebound to Eastman. Who's going to be fouled on the rebound? That'll be going against Ava Vie. That'll be her second. So.

Oh Eastman battling hard on the boards. And it's one of those things where you go up and grab the rebound. You've got to secure it because they're going to continue to come after you. And she did and was able to draw the foul.

Ava Roethler on the court for the bears. They go inside to Eastman. And another Time-out going to be taken here by Bishop Garrigan. As they're starting to gain some momentum, cutting the lead from 20 down to 14.

Eastman come alive. Eight points, seven rebounds to this point in the ball game. And I think Bishop Garrigan using systematically using those time-outs at certain points in this quarter.

Match up, match up. We are.

Now 4531 Newell-Fonda with the lead. Strong contingent from both sides here.

You can tell in that huddle a little bit more upbeat than it was the first time we went into their huddle.

236 to go in the quarter, out on the floor for the Mustangs. They've got the Sievers sisters Brabec along with Hogrefe and Vie Brabec will find who cuts in. They just spread the floor and then cut you up.

And that time-out also gives your opponent an opportunity to set some things up. And they ran that and executed that play out of the time-out perfectly.

Vie just got her first basket of the game. Now we'll take a three. Rebound to Sievers. Now to Brabec fresh 35. Brabec will look to attack.

[APPLAUSE]

This might be one of the first times that Newell-Fonda has used a lot of their shot clock.

Sievers shot off the mark. Rebound comes down to Eastman.

Tigges with another block.

Here's Bartolo. It's deflected out. It'll stay with Bishop Garrigan. And the Mustangs go quickly back to their bench. Ella Roberts back into the game along with Paige Erickson.

[APPLAUSE] [LAUGHTER]

So here's Bartolo off into the corner. That's Alesch. You betcha.

Didn't pay attention to her. She was out there in the corner all by herself. Quick inbound, and she knew it was coming to her. Ready to shoot it. Here comes a little pressure of their own.

Bears looking to trap Vie on the deck. Going to be tied up. It's going to stay with Newell-Fonda.

[APPLAUSE]

You're Newell-Fonda now. You kind of kind of have to take a step back, kind of reevaluate some things. You're in a ball game now. They have battled their way back and they're starting to put some pressure on you.

Sievers looks to inbound. It deflected back out by Carley Nielson, who just reentered the lineup.

[APPLAUSE]

There just a little quicker to the ball right now than Newell-Fonda is.

[APPLAUSE]

Newell-Fonda building a 22 point lead in this one. Bishop Garrigan trying to trim it back. And a foul going to be called on Roethler as she was trying to deny Sievers. That's the second team foul here on Bishop Garrigan.

, and she knew the backdoor cut was coming and couldn't get turned around. So just put the hands up and just bodied up and got called.

Hogrefe has it deflected away? Alesch up with it. Bishop Garrigan trying to create good get back defense by Newell-Fonda. Now here's Bartolo missed it. They go inside to Eastman. Out of the top, trying to get a good shot here inside of 40s to play in the third quarter. Alesch in the paint. Too strong. That's going to be deflected out. Last touch by Newell-Fonda. Friendly fire there as two Mustangs were going for the ball and they lost it.

Well Bishop Garrigan can hold here for the last shot. And if they make a bucket that is going to give them a ton of confidence heading into this fourth quarter.

And maybe putting a little doubt in the Mustangs.

That's all you need to do. I mean, you got eight minutes. Then in the fourth quarter to battle it out. But if you can plant that seed of doubt in Newell-Fonda, you certainly have a chance. And you have had a really good and Bishop Garrigan they have had a really good third quarter.

Mustangs pick up the foul. That's Hogrefe that's her second Eastman to the line, able to hit the free throw and she went to her left. By the way, Laura.

That's because she's here. Might have heard it from the rafters if she didn't.

And an offensive board again off of a missed free throw. Bartolo for three. Can't get it to fall Eastman with the rebound. They're going to call the foul on the floor. No basket. A foul on the floor. Garrigan wanting to get some continuation.

Yeah, I think the foul happened before the shot went up. I think we're going to get a look at it here. Brabec underneath you can see her just backing up backing up. So that's a good call that that was on the floor. Even though she made the bucket. But the foul happened before the shot.

Brabec will pick up her second and it is the fifth team foul. So Eastman will go to the line to shoot two.

[APPLAUSE]

Eastman short on the shot.

[APPLAUSE]

Missed them both. And a rebound to Quinn. Sievers Quinn will attack and gets the roll.

What a play. Just kind of threw it up there. A little bit of a prayer but got the friendly bounce.

Still time here. Eight seconds to go in the quarter.

[APPLAUSE]

Off to the wing. Alesch for three. Can't get the bank. And it's a 14 point lead going into the final eight. Garrigan able to trim it from 22 to 14. So Newell-Fonda trying to wave the the storm, if you will, here be able to get through it and try to get a state championship. And for Garrigan going to try to have a fierce comeback here.

Well, they had a goal. They almost accomplished that goal, getting it to within ten. But they have certainly made an impact here in this third quarter. Being able to close the gap. And now you've got you've given yourself a chance.

You're watching the girls state basketball championship and scan the 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 and thank you for supporting public media. Well, the final eight minutes Laura of the season in the class AA title game and it's been a fantastic week. Might we have a fantastic finish?

I think we are going to have a fantastic finish. And yes, it sounds sad that it is the last game of the season, but we are going to have some fireworks here and two of the best teams, obviously two of the best teams in One-a here, going to finish off the tournament for us.

Well, we go to the final eight. Bishop Garrigan winning that quarter and out on the floor for the bears. It will be their starting five with Eastman, Bartolo, Tigges, Nielson and Alesch. And for Newell-Fonda their starting five back out there in Ellie Sievers, Walsh, Vie, Brabec and Hogrefe. Golden Bears again getting down by as many as 22. Getting it down to 14 as we begin the fourth quarter of play. They go up to the high post to Eastman will draw contact and will see here. It will be free throws here for Graceland.

Eastman. And that's one of the things that Coach Jungers was a little concerned about, was the height that they had on the inside, and they really hadn't utilized it a whole lot in the first half. In the third quarter, they started going inside to Eastman, getting her the basketball.

Eastman now one of five from the free-throw line here in the state championship, came into the game right at 71%. Now makes the back end.

[APPLAUSE]

For the bears we all know they got to have him at the foul line to come down the stretch. Here's Vie caught up in traffic now to Hargrave. She'll drive in and gets the tough bucket. Rylee Hogrefe having a terrific state championship game.

Just that soft touch. As soon as the defense stepped up, she put it up off the glass and got the touch.

Back inside a little strong. And the put back is there by Madelyn Tigges and one.

Tickets can be a scorer and she can she can be aggressive. You saw there on the dribble drive and how athletic she is to be able to get around the defense right here. Just steps by the defense couldn't get it the first time but gets it the second time. And she had a game earlier this year where she had 26 points against Valley High School.

Quinn Sievers out on the floor. The missed free throw Eastman the put back is there. It's an 11 point game.

They're starting to cash in on second chance opportunities. Sievers taking a little bit of a chance there.

The freshman, guarded by Bartolo off the Vie. They're going to melt some clock here now. Sievers for three. Yes.

I don't know if they melted the clock. She melted the net.

The answer not there for Bishop Garrigan and Eastman will get two back. Eastman Sievers.

Wow. Yeah, and Eastman starting to pick it up on her end as well.

Madelyn Tigges though, trying to ignite the comeback with a double double here. And will get another board. Here's Bartolo off to Alesch quickly covered up. Eastman from 15 doesn't get it and a foul on the rebound as Carley Nielson took the contact. That'll be the third team foul and the fourth foul here. Coming up.

That's where you said they should start milking a little clock and instead Sievers says I don't think so. I think I'm going to launch from about four steps beyond the three point line.

I'm a freshman.

I don't know any better. I'm a freshman.

In this ball game.

Right now.

And again, just a terrific game plan and strategy. Mustang basketball they call it. 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 the hashtag Iowa PBS. Sports to enjoy high school sports with other fans. Quinn Sievers with 15. Riley Hogrefe with 15. 14 for Ellie Sievers.

Double doubles for Eastman with 14 and ten, and Tigges with ten and 11. Things are heating up.

Still plenty of time here. 605 and the bears have the possession. The deep three by Alesch gets it.

Inside out. Everybody had their eyes on Eastman. She knew she was going to kick it back out because she didn't even try to make a move and found Alesch open.

So it's a nine point game into single digits here with 543 to play. The bears trying to make a big comeback down by as many as 22. But this player oh man, not afraid.

Not at all. Not at all. And they're going to leave her open and that deep. You're going to leave her open.

[APPLAUSE]

Alesch again for three. It's going to be a little short. Walsh will pick it up.

Alesch was feeling it, though. She felt like she was open. Just could not get enough distance on that one.

Tigges will pick up the foul and for Madeline, that'll be her second. The first team foul here in the late quarter for Bishop Garrigan. Line. So Ellie Sievers back to the line. 75% on the season.

[APPLAUSE]

Not a whole lot of free throws. Shot by Newell-Fonda. Three of six from the line.

And missed them both. Eastman with the board.

Extending that pressure a little bit further out.

Bartolo left open and hits.

She hit a couple of big ones in the first half. Went quiet midway through the ball game. Now a big, big bucket for her team.

Oh.

We knew we were going to have fireworks.

That bear crowd is awake and they smell honey. Brabec drives the flare and a foul going to be called here on Bishop Garrigan.

Skip that ball across the defense. It was sagging in leaning towards the right side of the floor, and you skip the pass to find the open player.

Brabec knocks down the free throw. 78% on the season and for her, that's her first point of the game.

[APPLAUSE]

You know, she just does so many things though for this team. She's point guard. She gets them set up. She's always hustling. She's always in the mix and maybe doesn't score a whole lot. But she is their floor general out there.

Five assists in the game for Brabec. Here's Alesch the jump shot going to be fouled. And she'll go to the line to shoot free throws.

[LAUGHTER]

They're getting the ball to Alesch. And she is connecting. Tried to get it off the bounce but gets to the free-throw line. You got to start connecting on those when you're getting to the line. They're making themselves for giving themselves opportunities to get to the line. And so when you get there, especially with four minutes left in the ball game, you got to knock them down.

Hogrefe just picked up the foul. She'll have to exit the stage for a moment as Alesch able to connect one out of two. It's a two possession game with 411 to play. Here's Sievers a little shake and bake. And the pass out to buy. And Quinn will get it back.

What a good job though, by Vie to step and come to that pass because they were had designs Alesch had designs on stepping into that passing lane.

They try to double. They go inside to Ellie Sievers her shot not there. Rebound to Eastman in backcourt. The bears trying to break that pressure which has been relentless all game long. But Bishop Garrigan able to stem the tide here in the second half. Here's Eastman draws contact gets her own rebound. Put back. Not there. And Braubach will get the loose ball.

Did a nice job of driving to the hoop and couldn't connect. And Coach Jungers wants a time-out as we're getting close to the three minute mark and it's getting a little tighter.

Newell-Fonda will be left with three time-outs remaining. Let's go inside of that huddle.

We just need one good possession at a time, okay? We just need a good shot here. Okay. So let's go with let's go with a fist okay. You're bringing Eastman to the high post. Okay Ellie, you're going to go the low low block. Don't go right away. Delay into it okay. So you're going to be cutting into it okay. So you just pull Eastman out and you're cutting in. Now we got to get something to the rim here okay. Get something to the rim here. Now defensively okay. Defensively okay. Straight man okay straight man. We got to get on our player okay. Stay on your player up front okay. And then close down the shooters. Get the box out okay. Get the rebound. Here we go. Let's go. Hey this is what makes it fun okay. Making one play at a time. Here. Team on 3123.

He's not wrong. No. This is what makes it fun. This is why you work so hard every day in practice and in the off season. To better yourself. This is what makes it fun. Games like this. For a state title.

You know, he told us in his 24th season, he's always had the philosophy, I'm going to play a lot of players. I'm going to make it fun, keep people interested in the program. And really, there's been nobody better over the last quarter century than Dick Jungers.

No, he has done an amazing job at Newell-Fonda, and the amount of players that come out, he has got a full roster year in and year out, and they just have the young kids that buy into the system, that idolize these players that are on the floor here tonight.

You think about programs who didn't feel the team this year.

[APPLAUSE]

Yeah.

And Newell-Fonda able to do it. Here's Alesch from deep. Can't get it to fall. Tough board that time by Walsh..

That was a good look by Alesch though. And she has had the hot hand. That's not a bad shot.

Ellie Sievers in the paint to Walsh gets fouled and one.

A little high low if you will, right in the middle of the lane. The dribble drive and Walsh rolls to the bucket.

And Eastman will pick up her fourth with 228 to play. Let's see what Brandon Schwab does. He will bring in Carley Nielson back into the game, but she's coming in for Ava Roethler. So there's, you know, 228 to play, you need Eastman offense out there. Walsh's free throw is good as she caps off the three point play. So a two possession game now to a strong three possession game.

And she needs to be smart to Eastman does. They can't afford to lose her.

Here's Tigges who's really spearheaded the comeback. Will attack just two strong. Rebound fought for Eastman will go to the line to shoot two. Clock is stopped though with 208 to play. And that will be the fifth team foul for Newell-Fonda. So Bishop Garrigan in the bonus the rest of the way. And for Hogrefe, that'll be her fifth, so she'll have to check out.

And Eastman doing a great job on the glass. Just keeping it alive. And Addie likes what she's seeing. She was hoping for the and one, but she's hoping that she's able Eastman is able to knock down both of these free throws. I know she's been in that position many, many times. Not only on this floor, but in her collegiate career where you get the bump and you want to make that basket and get the and one.

Eastman able to hit both. So Rylee Hogrefe will check out of the game. Five fouls, but 15 points and Laura really was that X factor here for Newell-Fonda tonight?

Oh, absolutely. And you know, it seems like every year there's always somebody. And we've seen Newell-Fonda a ton in this ball game in this one a championship. And it always seems like there's one player that you're not really planning on. But they come up big for the Mustangs.

And you put the ball in the hands of the freshman, let her do her magic. Trying to avoid a double team will be fouled up top by Roethler.

They had one to give. And I think this next one will put him in the bonus. But I think you try to extend the ball game. Now you got a minute 47 and and you try to stop the clock.

And Eastman will pick up her fifth and Ellie Sievers will go to the line. So the six foot junior will have to check out for the bears.

Newell-Fonda knew it. They knew they could go after her. And she is a player that's not going to back down. She didn't want to give up the easy two, and so she was going to challenge and knew what it meant that it was going to be her fifth foul. And what a great game Eastman has had here in this championship game. A great second half.

Yeah, 16 points, 15 rebounds for Gracelyn Eastman to the line with Ellie Sievers. Five blocks, two for Eastman as Sievers connects on the free throw.

Now you have to have somebody big on the inside to step up for you. And that may fall on the shoulders of Tigges.

So Roethler will check out of the game. Addyson Faris in. Ellie Sievers free throw. Good. Gets them both.

[APPLAUSE]

Makes it a nine point game again. All is caught up in backcourt Bishop Garrigan with two time-outs remaining and a time-out going to be taken here by Brandon Schwab.

[APPLAUSE]

They were getting close to a ten second.

[APPLAUSE]

Yeah.

[APPLAUSE]

They're going to take a full time out.

Okay.

Let's go inside of that Garrigan huddle.

Madeleine where am I at? Here. Madeleine. Carly. No, Madeleine. Addie. Carly. Emmi. Sacha here. We going to pop to the high post here. Emmi entered a Carly here. Okay. Sacha clear this way. As soon as it's entered in the air to here. Clear this way. Emmi go to the corner. Madeleine. Off the hand! Off. If you get cut off, you've got Emmi in the corner on that. Okay, get something going from that. Okay, then we got to get right up. We've got to guard him right away when we get it.

[LAUGHTER]

Okay?

[LAUGHTER]

Hey, if it gets in the foul situation, anyone but Quinn, we can foul. Don't foul. Quinn. Okay, here we go. We are up. Hand off. You know where that side.

Well, the one thing is, they do have to be efficient and they have to score quickly. And once they do score, you got to turn around. You got to play defense and foul them and extend this ball game. And you heard don't foul. You can foul anybody, but you don't foul number 11. And that's Quinn Sievers.

Let's see what the the bears can get accomplished here 94 seconds to play as Bartolo will run it ahead. They go to the high post and Nielson hand off to Tigges back to Bartolo for three. Left it short rebound Nielson Alesch will launch and hit.

You know, how impressive was that? We watched Coach Schwab draw up that play. They ran it to perfection because they said if you don't have the clear path to the hoop, kick it out to the three point shooter. They did, didn't get it, but got the offensive rebound. Went to the other side of the floor. That was impressive that they sat there. He drew that up and they ran it just like he drew it up.

Time-out going to be taken by Newell-Fonda. Before they had almost was forced into a turnover. Dick Jungers and Newell-Fonda now left with three time-outs one time-out remaining for Bishop Garrigan. The possession arrow is in favor of Newell-Fonda.

Well.

When players had a chance earlier this week to relax.

Not right now. They don't know.

But man, they had the great players lounge here for the celebrating the Iowa girl. They got a chance. Go up field touch that championship trophy. Take a few pictures with your teammates. What a great week and what a great opportunity to be a part of the girls state basketball tournament. And Laura just the fans that have been here throughout the entire week. I mean, you got families that have taken a few days off for vacation to come here. I mean, this is just such a fun event year in, year out.

You know what? The state of Iowa should stand up and applaud themselves, pat themselves on the back because they have shown up big to support their teams. And these Iowa girls.

So the steal by Bishop Garrigan. Now can the bears work it? Tigges on the drive gets the deuce and it's a four point game. And the bears will take their final time-out here. 47 seconds, if you will, to play in the game.

And continue to extend the game so you score quickly. You're going to have to foul right away. I think you're going to have to put somebody on Quinn Sievers, because he does not want the ball to go to her. So make sure your face guarding her and then everybody else is fair game to try to put on the free-throw line.

Much respect for Quinn. Sievers and the freshman.

A freshman.

Well, you know, she had been playing AAU basketball for play for him, which is a fantastic organization out of Fort Dodge. New facilities up there. But people would come around to watch her games. And folks, I think you can see why. I mean, that was a comment you hear around just watching Newell-Fonda play or Quinn and, you know, she also played softball. Multisport athlete. But she's really making a name for herself in this championship game.

Well, and and you know, she's one of the littlest ones on the floor. She's still young. She's going to fill out. She's going to get bigger and stronger. And those skills will continue to grow. She is going to be a fun one to watch. Over the next few years.

Four point game. Let's see what Newell-Fonda will do here. Brabec will look to put it in play. Does get it into Quinn Sievers back to Brabec who will be immediately fouled and Mareni Brabec a 78% free throw shooter, will go to the line. Newell-Fonda as a team, shooting at 60%, but again, here at the state tournament, they've been shooting extremely well.

Seven of 12 from the free-throw line.

Drawback calmly knocks the first one down.

[APPLAUSE]

Still a two possession game here right.

And you're going to see full court pressure again. They're going to ramp it up. Make them use a lot of clock to get it into the front court.

Misses this one Brabec nearly got that rebound. So the bears got to go down by five. Here's Bartolo trying to get an opening to Tigges the kick out to Bartolo is quickly covered up. Alesch back to Bartolo. The deep three can't get it wide of the mark and rebound to Brabec will be immediately fouled. Boy, terrific defensive strategy by Dick Jungers and the Mustangs.

Sievers stayed right on Bartolo. They were not going to let her get a good look. She touched the ball a couple of times on the kickout, but the defense was right there. She did not have any time to set up and take that three. And that's what they were looking to try to do to get a big three pointer.

Brabec able to hit the free throw okay. This is to make it a three possession game with 20s remaining.

[APPLAUSE]

The senior yes seven point game and Newell-Fonda trying to win yet another state championship, their fifth in school history. Quinn Sievers in backcourt, will be fouled with 10.1 to play, and the Mustang fans, they're sensing it.

And the defense up top. Sievers with the quick hands was just waiting to see when she could stick her hands in there and knock that ball away. She was able to do it. Just get a piece of it to be able to cause that turnover.

So Ellie and Quinn Sievers have combined for 32, another 15 scored by Hogrefe.

Well, the Sievers sisters in the quarterfinals, 35 points of the 77. In the semis, 29 of their 50.

Bartolo three not there. And that's going to do it. Newell-Fonda your class one a state champions.

[APPLAUSE] [MUSIC]

Over.

Wow. Newell-Fonda back on top again.

They had that double overtime loss a year ago. They were in this game. Lost it in two overtimes. Got out to the big lead at halftime. And it's a good thing they did because Bishop Garrigan outscored them 37 to 25 in the second half and made a game of it, made it interesting down the stretch.

What a valiant effort by the bears. This is the first title since 2021 for Newell-Fonda.

[MUSIC]

And the class one A field. I mean loaded and will be for some time to come.

Yeah, they have been in the last three state finals, lost all three. Finally got over the hump here tonight in this ball game.

So let's turn it over to Tim Fitzpatrick.

Your 2020 618 all tournament team presenting the awards is Brant Johnson, president of the Iowa Farm Bureau, assisted by executive director Aaron Gerlich and also members of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Board of directors. Here is your 2026 class one all tournament team from Newell-Fonda Quinn Sievers.

[APPLAUSE]

From Bishop Garrigan Emmi Bartolo.

[APPLAUSE]

From Saint Albert Ava Underwood.

[APPLAUSE]

From Saint Ansgar, Jaycie Johnston.

[APPLAUSE]

From Bishop Garrigan Gracelyn. Eastman.

[APPLAUSE]

And your 2026 class One-a all tournament team captain from Newell-Fonda. Ellie Sievers.

[APPLAUSE]

Wow, what an all tournament team. They're captained by Ellie Sievers.

What great performances by all of those players. That just has been fun to watch them all week long.

Certainly has the one a field as they have to do the shuffle.

Do a little dance. Yeah.

Synchronized. Love it. But what state championships we've had here, I mean Johnston continuing their big time run. The nation's most active longest winning streak. Let's go to Tim Fitzpatrick again.

For the One Championship match. Presenting the award is Taylor Anderson of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union. This year's top producer of the one AA championship game is La Sievers of Newell-Fonda.

[APPLAUSE] [APPLAUSE]

Now for our team awards. Your class one, a runner up this year is Coach Brandon Schwab and the Golden Bears of Bishop Garrigan. Congratulations on an outstanding season.

[APPLAUSE]

Senior.

[APPLAUSE]

And a few weeks ago, their ticket was punched to get here. Today they redeem it as your class one AA champions. Coach Dick Jungers and the Mustangs of Newell-Fonda.

[APPLAUSE]

So Newell-Fonda your class one AA state champions. They get it done. They join Johnston, Maquoketa, Carlisle, Rock Valley, all crowned champions this year. But what A1A game. And Newell-Fonda set the tone in the first half.

Laura you know they really did. They kind of threw down the gauntlet and said, all right, come get us Bishop Garrigan did.

And now the celebration begins as they put their name on the end of the bracket. Laura been fun. Let's turn it over to our good friend Paul Yeager.

All right. Thank you. Great job. B.J. and Laura. Hold on. I just got to finish my book here.

Newell-Fonda won a done number 35 here. It's been another year of unforgettable action here in downtown Des Moines. Five championship squads crowned at the 2020 Iowa Girls High school basketball tournament. So you've got your three time champion, Johnston, your first time champion. Maquoketa and Carlisle back to the top for Rock Valley. And five is fine for Newell-Fonda. So congratulations to all the players, coaches, families and fans that were here in person watching across the state on Iowa PBS and streaming online. Wherever you are around the world. So that's it. We're done. Ha! Got you didn't I guess what? We've got more basketball this week on your statewide network. Go ahead and say it ain't so because we are not done for the first time ever in our history. Iowa PBS will bring you the Iowa boys State high School basketball championships next Friday, March 13th. We're going to be here. We hope you join us. We've got one more thing to do here, because I want to remind you that girls and boys sports are here under one roof for free. Are you excited? We sure are. Girls championships will return in July with softball in Fort Dodge. As we say goodbye tonight. It is another one of our girls state basketball traditions. The sights and sounds of the tournament. One more time saying good night from Des Moines. I'm Paul Yeager from all of us here at Iowa PBS. Thank you.

One.

[MUSIC]

Singular sensation. Every little step she takes, one.

[MUSIC]

Thrilling combination. Every move that she makes, one smile and suddenly nobody else will do. You know you'll never be lonely if you no one.

[MUSIC]

Will.

[MUSIC]

And you can't forget the rest. Haven't got a second to die.

[MUSIC]

Oh, side baby, how do I really have to mention. She's.

[MUSIC]

Got.

[MUSIC]

Funding provided by -- 

Musco Lighting is honored to support Iowa PBS. We’re an Iowa company that lights local schools, community fields and stadiums, arenas and venues in more than 125 countries. While our reach is global, our commitment is local.

Fareway Meat and Grocery. For more than 80 years, Fareway has been proud to be an active part of the communities we serve. Learn more at fareway.com.

Banking in Iowa goes beyond transactions. Banks work to help people and small businesses succeed, and Iowa banks are committed to building confident banking relationships. Iowa banks, your partner through it all.

Pella Windows and Doors help bring your home to life. For more than 100 years, Pella has been dedicated to building a brighter future in Iowa communities. Pella Corporation is a proud supporter of Iowa PBS.

With our Iowa roots and Midwestern values, Farmers Mutual Hail is committed to offering innovative farm insurance for America's farmers, just as we have for six generations. Farmers Mutual Hail, America's Crop insurance company.