KMCH SPORTS: North Linn Boys Basketball Wins Another State Semifinal
Sportscast for Thursday 3/7
BY JON SWISHER – SPORTS DIRECTOR:
Playing in their eighth semifinal since 2017, the North Linn Boys Basketball program won for the seventh time in a 67-51 victory over Winfield-Mount Union last night in the first Class 1A State Semifinal. It was a game that featured 3 ties and 5 lead changes as the Wolves started fast but the Lynx settled in and took the lead late in the 2nd quarter for good.
Veteran head coach Mike Hilmer shared his thoughts on what differences led to the Lynx being able to take control of the game:
Mason Bechen tallied 32 points with 19 of those in the 2nd half. With his 3-pointer at the buzzer heading into halftime he became the 9th boys player in Lynx program history to surpass the 1,000 career point plateau. Hilmer was pleased with another outstanding effort by his junior guard:
Senior Ty Pflughaupt, who added 18 points with 3 three-pointers, 4 rebounds and 2 blocked shots, shared his perspective on the win:
Hilmer gave great credit on Pflughaupt’s all around game:
The Lynx advance to their seventh championship game in a row on Friday afternoon, looking for their 3rd title. The opponent will be a familiar Tri-Rivers Conference foe in Bellevue Marquette Catholic who held on to beat Lake Mills last night 59-57.
Elsewhere yesterday on Day 3 inside Wells Fargo Arena:
Class 4A Quarterfinals
Cedar Rapids, Kennedy 66, Dallas Center-Grimes 45
Valley, W.D.M. 64, Johnston 57
Coming up today at the tourney:
Class 2A Semifinals
10:30—#1 Western Christian, Hull vs. #5 Treynor
12:15—#2 Hudson vs. #6 Unity Christian, Orange City
Class 3A Semifinals
2:00—#1 Decorah vs #4 Assumption, Davenport
3:45—#2 Waverly-Shell Rock vs #3 MOC-Floyd Valley
Class 4A Semifinals
5:30—#1 Cedar Rapids, Kennedy vs. #5 Ankeny
7:15—#2 Valley, W.D.M. vs. #6 Bettendorf
