Class 3A Girls State Basketball Semifinals
Sioux Center 46, Solon 44
Sioux Center got off to a fast start and had to hold off a furious finish from Solon to earn a spot into the Class 3A championship with a 46-44 victory over the second-ranked Spartans.
The win propels the Warriors into the Class 3A title game for the third time in school history. Sioux Center finished as the 2A runner-up in 2017 and 2018. The Warriors will face Benton Community in the championship game Friday at 8:00 p.m.
Sioux Center jumped on Solon early, owning a 12-4 lead early in the second quarter and led 22-13 at the half. Sioux Center built its lead to 15 points early in the third quarter before Solon begam chipping into the lead. A steal and lay-up from Hailey Miller cut Sioux Center’s lead to 43-40 and a pair of free throws from Anna Quillin cut the score to 43-43 with 38 seconds left. Solon had a chance to win the game at the buzzer only to have a three point attempt fall short.
Willow Bleeker led Sioux Center with 12 points and 14 rebounds while Makenna Walhof added 14 points and seven rebounds. The Warriors outrebounded Solon, 43-28, and scored 18 second half points.
Hailey Miller led Solon with 17 points while Quillin scoring six points with 11 rebounds. The Spartans, who return four starters next year, finish the season at 23-3.
Sioux Center improves to 20-5. The Warriors will be playing in their second state tournament final in four months as many of the girls on the team played on Sioux Center’s volleyball squad that finished second in Class 3A.