Cedar Rapids Weather
Linn-Mar Wins 4A State Title
DES MOINES — It took 26 games, but somebody finally discovered a tonic to Scarlet Fever.
It came from Kiah Stokes’ vast ability. It came from D.J. Norman’s grit. And it came from Kiley Haines’ courage. Haines paused, shot and delivered the go-ahead 3-pointer with 1:10 remaining, and top-ranked Linn-Mar edged No. 2 Des Moines East, 38-35, to win the Class 4A girls’ state basketball championship Saturday night at Wells Fargo Arena. “If you draw it up, maybe she wouldn’t be our first option,” said Linn-Mar Coach Mike Brandt. “I don’t care who steps up as long as somebody steps up and does it with no fear. It is the first 4A championship by a Metro team since Cedar Rapids Washington won it in 1995. Linn-Mar’s other title was in 1985, the first year that the five-player game was offered. Stokes and Norman were the scoring tandem, tallying with Lions’ first 27 points. But Haines was the hero. She got the ball outside arc on the right wing late with the game tied. She hesitated, shot it and made it. That gave Linn-Mar (26-0) a 36-33 lead they wouldn’t surrender. “To be honest, I was really surpised (it went in),” Haines said. “All I knew was that I had to get back on defense.” Stokes was the all-tournament captain after posting 20 points, 18 rebounds and six blocks. “This was everything I thought it would be and more,” she said. “Unbelievable,” Norman said. “I love it. It’s the greatest feeling ever.” Stokes was joined on the all-tourney team by teammate Kayla Klopfenstein, as well as Markisha Wright and Shronda Butts of East, Kiersten Orton of Waukee and Jade Rogers of Cedar Rapids Kennedy. East got within 36-35 on Butts’ drive with 40 seconds late. The Scarlets (25-1) had only two team fouls in the second half, and it took until the 0:06 mark to force Linn-Mar to make free throws. Stokes sank a pair, Butts madly missed a 3-point try, Klopfenstein gathered it in and the Lions were champions. Norman added 13 points. The topsy-turvy game featured six ties and 14 lead changes. Baskets by Stokes tied it at 31-31 and 33-33. Then came Haines’ heroics. “It was such a beautiful shot,” Norman said. “Great arc. Best thing, it went in.” Butts led East with 15 points. The Lions will be honored at the high school auditorium at 2 p.m. Sunday. More Good Stuff |
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