STATE TOURNAMENT: Class 3A Recaps

Wright had 13 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists in SBL’s win

Semifinal #2: #6 Sergeant Bluff-Luton 55, #7 Clear Creek-Amana 46

Sixth-seeded Sergeant Bluff-Luton advanced to the 3A championship game with a 55-46 win over seventh-seed Clear Creek-Amana on Thursday evening.

The Warriors have a starting lineup that features three players listed at 6-7 or taller, yet they attempted 33 3s on the night, and while they weren’t very efficient from behind the arc, going just 10-33 (30.3%), they were able to outscore CCA by 21 points from behind the arc in the win, and that was the deciding factor. Their length and size on the other end of the floor allowed them to limit second chance points for the Clippers and and contest on the perimeter, forcing CCA into just 3-13 from behind the arc. The Clippers entered the contest shooting just under 40% from behind the arc on the year, but were held to just 23.1% in this one.

Clear Creek-Amana used a 10-0 run to close the first half and take a 30-27 lead into the break, but after shooting 11-21 in the first half, they were just 5-24 from the floor in the second half.

Sergeant Bluff-Luton improves to 16-10 with the win. The Warriors were led by Daniel Wright Daniel Wright 6'8" | PF Sergeant Bluff-Luton | 2020 State IA , who had 13 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists. Majok Majouk Majok Majouk 6'7" | SF Sergeant Bluff-Luton | 2021 State IA and Jake Layman Jake Layman 6'7" | SF Sergeant Bluff-Luton | 2021 State IA each had 10 points, and Nick Muller chipped in 9.

Clear Creek-Amana falls to 20-6 with the loss. The Clippers will play Ballard on Friday morning in the consolation game. They were led by Christian Withrow Christian Withrow 6'1" | CG Clear Creek-Amana | 2021 State IA , who had 17 points. Tyler Schrepfer Tyler Schrepfer 5'11" | SG Clear Creek-Amana | 2020 State IA added 13. The Clippers bring back three starters and their top three bench players, so they should be pretty strong again next year.

MVP: Nick Muller (Sergeant Bluff-Luton) -- 9 points (3-8 3P), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal

You can take your pick of any SBL starter, but we’ll give the nod to Muller, who hit a few big-time 3s in the second half to help the Warriors take control. His 3 with 5:44 left gave the Warriors a 5-point lead, 45-40, and CCA never got back to within closer than two possessions.

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	F
Clear Creek-Amana	14	16	7	9	46
Sergeant Bluff-Luton	16	11	10	18	55

Team stats
Clear Creek-Amana: 16-45 FG (35.6%), 3-13 3P (23.1%), 11-16 FT (68.8%), 32 rebounds (6 offensive, 26 defensive), 3 assists, 7 turnovers
Sergeant Bluff-Luton: 18-49 FG (36.7%), 10-33 3P (30.3%), 9-15 FT (60%), 35 rebounds (9 offensive, 26 defensive), 13 assists, 2 turnovers

Semifinal #1: #1 Norwalk 79, #5 Ballard 61

Top-seeded Norwalk got all they wanted from fifth-seeded Ballard in the first half of their semifinal meeting on Thursday afternoon, before eventually running way in the second half en route to a 79-61 victory, advancing to tomorrow’s championship game.

These two teams had met twice in the last year or so, and both times it resulted in big Norwalk wins. The first, a quarterfinal meeting at last year’s state tournament, an 81-39 Warriors victory. They also met in the regular season opener this year, a 79-52 Warrior win. You wouldn’t have guessed that with the way this one started, as Ballard jumped out to a 13-2 lead in the first quarter.

Norwalk outscored Ballard 47-27 in the second half, including a 25-10 third quarter in which they seized control of the game. Bowen Born Bowen Born 5'11" | PG Norwalk | 2020 State #401 Nation IA scored 14 points and had a pair of assists in the quarter, as the Norwalk offense finally really got it clicking and showed off the explosiveness that has made them so dangerous all year.

Norwalk improves to 23-3 on the year, and will play in the 3A championship for the second consecutive season. The Warriors were led by star Bowen Born Bowen Born 5'11" | PG Norwalk | 2020 State #401 Nation IA , who had 34 points and 11 assists in the win. Tyler Johnson Tyler Johnson 6'4" | SF Norwalk | 2020 State IA had 19 points and 9 rebounds, and Scott Anderson Scott Anderson 6'0" | PG Norwalk | 2020 State IA added 14 points.

Ballard falls to 19-7 with the loss. They will play the loser of the Sergeant Bluff-Luton/Clear Creek-Amana game in the consolation game tomorrow morning. The Bombers were led by Connor Drew Connor Drew 6'6" | PF Ballard | 2021 State IA , who had 26 points, including 19 in the first half as Ballard built a 34-32 lead. Ashton Hermann Ashton Hermann 6'4" | SG Ballard | 2022 State IA added 17 points in the loss. The Bombers bring back four starters from this year’s group, and should be a factor again next season.

MVP: Bowen Born Bowen Born 5'11" | PG Norwalk | 2020 State #401 Nation IA (Norwalk) -- 34 points (13-26 FG, 2-9 3P, 6-7 FT), 4 rebounds, 11 assists, 1 steal

I really hope people appreciate watching Bowen Born Bowen Born 5'11" | PG Norwalk | 2020 State #401 Nation IA , because we are watching one of the all-time great players in Iowa high school history. The complete control that he has over the game at all times is a joy to watch. He’s remarkably efficient and is excellent at getting his teammates involved as well.

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	F
Ballard	15	19	10	17	61
Norwalk	9	23	25	22	79

Team stats
Ballard: 24-55 FG (43.6%), 7-21 3P (33.3%), 6-12 FT (50%), 27 rebounds (9 offensive, 18 defensive), 10 assists, 9 turnovers
Norwalk: 29-53 FG (54.7%), 8-22 3P (36.4%), 13-18 FT (72.2%), 34 rebounds (9 offensive, 25 defensive), 15 assists, 7 turnovers

Wright had 18 points, 11 rebounds in SBL’s win

Quarterfinal #4: #6 Sergeant Bluff-Luton 58, #3 Pella 43

Sixth-seeded Sergeant Bluff-Luton trailed for just 53 seconds in their quarterfinal win over Pella, using their overwhelming size to set the tone early against the highest scoring team in 3A, en route to a 58-43 win to advance to the semifinals. They’ll meet Clear Creek-Amana on Thursday afternoon.

Pella scored the first two points of the evening, but it was all Sergeant Bluff after that, as the Warriors closed the first quarter on a 16-3 run and were never really tested the rest of the way. Their lead ballooned to as much as 18 in the third quarter, and they held a Pella team that averages 77 points a game to just 43.

Sergeant Bluff-Luton improves to 15-10 on the year with the win, but don’t let the record fool you. The Warriors play in the 4A Missouri River Conference, and four of those losses came to strong Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln and Sioux City East teams, with another three coming to quality out-of-state opponents. The Warriors were led by Daniel Wright Daniel Wright 6'8" | PF Sergeant Bluff-Luton | 2020 State IA , who had 18 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Nick Muller added 12 points, and Majok Majouk Majok Majouk 6'7" | SF Sergeant Bluff-Luton | 2021 State IA had 9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals.

Pella’s season ends with a 19-6 record. The Dutch have some talented underclassmen on the varsity roster and should be strong again next season. They were led by Grant Nelson Grant Nelson 6'1" | SF Pella | 2021 State IA with 19 points and Logan Shetterly Logan Shetterly 5'11" | PG Pella | 2020 State IA with 14, both playing in their final high school games.

MVP: Daniel Wright Daniel Wright 6'8" | PF Sergeant Bluff-Luton | 2020 State IA (Sergeant Bluff-Luton) -- 18 points (7-10 FG, 2-5 3P, 2-3 FT), 11 rebounds, 4 assists

The 6-8 forward will walk-on at Wisconsin to play quarterback, but is putting together a remarkable senior season on the hardwood as well. A versatile scoring threat with a deft touch around behind the arc, he’s a matchup problem with his ability to score inside and out as well as pass the rock.

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	F
Sergeant Bluff-Luton	16	16	11	15	58
Pella	5	13	12	13	43

Team stats
Sergeant Bluff-Luton: 21-44 FG (47.7%), 4-14 3P (28.6%), 12-20 FT (60%), 35 rebounds (11 offensive, 24 defensive), 9 assists, 8 turnovers
Pella: 17-49 FG (34.7%), 5-20 3P (25%), 4-8 FT (50%), 30 rebounds (12 offensive, 18 defensive), 6 assists, 9 turnovers

Tyler Schrepfer Tyler Schrepfer 5'11" | SG Clear Creek-Amana | 2020 State IA scored a team-high 16 points in Clear Creek-Amana’s win.

Quarterfinal #3: #7 Clear Creek-Amana 59, #2 Mount Vernon 45

Two schools separated by 29 miles, these teams know each other pretty well, and it was evident on the floor. Clear Creek-Amana frustrated Mount Vernon star Keaton Kutcher Keaton Kutcher 6'2" | SG Mount Vernon | 2021 State IA and used an outstanding defensive effort and balanced scoring attack to advance to Thursday’s semifinals, with a 59-45 win on Tuesday afternoon.

These teams met way back on December 6, in the opening week of the season, and Mount Vernon won that one handily, 69-52. Their two star players, Keaton Kutcher Keaton Kutcher 6'2" | SG Mount Vernon | 2021 State IA and Noah Erickson Noah Erickson 6'3" | SF Mount Vernon | 2020 State IA , combined for 36 points on 13-28 shooting in that one. It was an entirely different story during the rematch in Des Moines, as the Mustangs led for a total of 21 seconds in the quarterfinal loss, while CCA’s defense held Kutcher and Erickson in check.

A tight game throughout the first half, an 8-0 run from the Clippers early in the third quarter pushed their lead to 11, and Mount Vernon was never able to get back to within two possessions the rest of the game. They held Kutcher and Erickson to a combined 15 points on 4-26 shooting, and held the Mustangs to 26.8% from the floor overall.

Clear Creek-Amana improves to 20-5 with the win. The Clippers play an entertaining drive-and-kick style of basketball with a lot of similarly talented players they can throw at you, and each night it’s someone different leading the charge. Tyler Schrepfer Tyler Schrepfer 5'11" | SG Clear Creek-Amana | 2020 State IA led the Clippers with 16 points, while Nick O’Connor Nick O’Connor 6'2" | SG Clear Creek-Amana | 2020 State IA added 11 and Christian Withrow Christian Withrow 6'1" | CG Clear Creek-Amana | 2021 State IA had 10 points.

MVP: Nick O’Connor Nick O’Connor 6'2" | SG Clear Creek-Amana | 2020 State IA (Clear Creek-Amana) -- 11 points (3-6 FG, 2-5 3P, 3-5 FT), 3 assists, 1 steal

You could make a strong argument for any CCA starter here, they all contribute in big ways. But it was O’Connor’s work on Keaton Kutcher Keaton Kutcher 6'2" | SG Mount Vernon | 2021 State IA on the defensive end that earns him the nod. He was the primary defender on the Mount Vernon star throughout the game, and he did an outstanding job limiting him, which is turn really affected the Mount Vernon offense.

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	F
Clear Creek-Amana	12	10	21	16	59
Mount Vernon	10	9	13	13	45

Team stats
Clear Creek-Amana: 18-37 FG (48.6%), 5-9 3P (55.6%), 18-29 FT (62.1%), 39 rebounds (9 offensive, 30 defensive), 15 assists, 16 turnovers
Mount Vernon: 15-56 FG (26.8%), 6-21 3P (28.6%), 9-16 FT (56.3%), 31 rebounds (15 offensive, 16 defensive), 10 assists, 11 turnovers

Reinertson scored 13 points in Ballard’s win

Quarterfinal #2: #5 Ballard 54, #4 Center Point-Urbana 48

Ballard played an abysmal opening quarter on Tuesday afternoon, but they battled back to beat Center Point-Urbana, 54-48, advancing to the semifinals where they’ll meet Norwalk.

Ballard didn’t make a field goal in the first quarter, with their only two points coming on Ashton Hermann Ashton Hermann 6'4" | SG Ballard | 2022 State IA free throws. But CPU didn’t take advantage enough of the scoring drought, and it eventually cost them.

The Bombers took their first lead of the game with 3:03 left in the third quarter, after a bucket plus the foul by Mason Murphy Mason Murphy 5'9" | PG Ballard | 2021 State IA . That lead was short lived, as CPU closed the quarter on a 10-2 run. Ballard opened the fourth with an 8-0 run and was able to hold CPU scoreless for the final 5:07 of the game en route to the win. They outscored the Stormin’ Pointers 19-6 in the final eight minutes.

Ballard improves to 19-6 on the year. They were led by Kade Reinertson and Connor Drew Connor Drew 6'6" | PF Ballard | 2021 State IA , who each had 13 points. Ashton Hermann Ashton Hermann 6'4" | SG Ballard | 2022 State IA added 11 in the win.

Center Point-Urbana’s season ends with an 18-7 record and the school’s second state appearance, the first since 1996. They were led by senior forward Kole Tupa Kole Tupa 6'4" | SF Center Point-Urbana | 2020 State IA , who had 19 points and 12 rebounds. Caleb Andrews added 16 in the loss.

MVP: Kade Reinertson (Ballard) -- 13 points (5-8 FG, 3-4 3P), 2 rebounds, 2 assists

The 6-1 senior guard averages just 6.2 points a game, and had made just 14 3-pointers all season. But he knocked down three of them in the game, scoring eight points in a two minute stretch to help jump start the Ballard offense in the second quarter.

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	F
Ballard	2	15	18	19	54
Center Point-Urbana	10	13	19	6	48

Team stats
Ballard: 22-44 FG (50%), 6-14 3P (42.9%), 4-5 FT (80%), 28 rebounds (8 offensive, 20 defensive), 14 assists, 12 turnovers
Center Point-Urbana: 21-55 FG (38.2%), 4-17 3P (23.5%), 2-6 3P (33.3%), 31 rebounds (17 offensive, 14 defensive), 11 assists, 10 turnovers

Bowen Born Bowen Born 5'11" | PG Norwalk | 2020 State #401 Nation IA scored 26 points in Norwalk’s win over Harlan on Tuesday.

Quarterfinal #1: #1 Norwalk 72, #8 Harlan 37

Early on it looked like legendary coach Mitch Osborn may have a game plan for high-powered Norwalk and Bowen Born Bowen Born 5'11" | PG Norwalk | 2020 State #401 Nation IA that just might work. And for about six minutes it did before the Warriors grabbed control fo the quarterfinal contest, advancing to Thursday’s semifinal, where they’ll meet either Center Point-Urbana or Ballard.

Harlan raced out to a 13-7 lead, taking advantage of a slow start from Born and the Warriors, but they couldn’t be kept down forever. Norwalk ended the first half on a 26-6 run, taking a 14-point lead into the locker rooms, and it just kept growing as the second half progressed. With 6:03 remaining in the game, they reached the running clock plateau, with a 64-29 lead.

Norwalk improves to 22-3 with the win. The Warriors were dominant on both ends of the floor after their slow start, showing why they’re most people’s pick to win it all in 3A. They were led by Bowen Born Bowen Born 5'11" | PG Norwalk | 2020 State #401 Nation IA , who had 26 points and 4 assists. Scott Anderson Scott Anderson 6'0" | PG Norwalk | 2020 State IA added 11 points and Tyler Johnson Tyler Johnson 6'4" | SF Norwalk | 2020 State IA chipped in 7 for the Warriors.

Harlan’s season ends with a 18-7 record and the school’s 18th tournament appearance. The Cyclones were led by Connor Bruck Connor Bruck 6'0" | SG Harlan | 2020 State IA , who had 11 points, with 9 coming in the first quarter. Johnathan Monson Johnathan Monson 6'1" | SF Harlan | 2020 State IA chipped in 10 points in the loss.

MVP: Bowen Born Bowen Born 5'11" | PG Norwalk | 2020 State #401 Nation IA (Norwalk) -- 26 points (11-22 FG, 3-10 3P, 1-2 FT), 4 assists, 4 steals

The future UNI Panther moved into fourth on the single-season scoring list with his 26 points, passing Richard Tepley of Diagonal, who scored 903 points in the 1955 season. Born now has 926 points on the year. He quickly overcame a slow shooting start (1-7), going 10-15 the rest of the way, showing a little bit of everything in his arsenal. He’s just in complete control of the game at all times and makes scoring 25+ on a nightly basis look effortless.

Team	1Q	2Q	3Q	4Q	F
Harlan	13	6	10	8	37
Norwalk	12	21	20	19	72

Harlan: Connor Bruck Connor Bruck 6'0" | SG Harlan | 2020 State IA 11, Johnathan Monson Johnathan Monson 6'1" | SF Harlan | 2020 State IA 10, Michael Erlemeier 7, Bradley Curren 3, Aidan Hall 3, Connor Frame 3
Norwalk: Bowen Born Bowen Born 5'11" | PG Norwalk | 2020 State #401 Nation IA 26, Scott Anderson Scott Anderson 6'0" | PG Norwalk | 2020 State IA 11, Tyler Johnson Tyler Johnson 6'4" | SF Norwalk | 2020 State IA 7, Ethan Carlson 6, Grant Larson 5, Joe Brown 5, Liam Buckley 4, Cole Tunender 3, Jake Fees 3, Evan Borst 2

Team stats
Harlan: 14-49 FG (28.6%), 4-19 3P (21.1%), 5-8 FT (62.5%), 29 rebounds (11 offensive, 18 defensive), 6 assists, 15 turnovers
Norwalk: 29-54 FG (53.7%), 10-24 3P (41.7%), 4-7 FT (57.1%), 32 rebounds (8 offensive, 24 defensive), 11 assists, 6 turnovers