Two teams separated by five blocks but joined by a rich basketball tradition will meet at 2:30 Friday afternoon for the Class 2A Iowa Boys Basketball title. It’s a fitting end to the year for the #1 and #2 ranked teams in class 2A Iowa boys basketball.
Both teams earned their spots with semifinal wins Thursday to set up the all Hull championship final. Boyden Hull got there first claiming the upper bracket semi just before noon. Western Christian earned their spot in the lower bracket semi that followed.
A big second half and balanced scoring by the Comets put the defending champions back into championship game with the 77-66 win over Aplington-Parkersburg at the Wells Fargo Arena Thursday morning.
Both teams were cold from the field early, and Boyden-Hull’s Tanner Te Slaa was charged with two fouls early. Aplington-Parkersburg was up by 7 with with 1:41 left in the first quarter, and the Falcons took a 13-8 lead into the second quarter. Boyden-Hull started the second quarter on an 8-0 run to take the lead, but Aplington-Parkersburg responded with a 7-0 run to regain the lead. Heading into the half, the Comets would regain the lead 22-20. Bryan Zylstra and Te Slaa each had 8 first half points to pace Boyden-Hull.
The Comets and Falcons continued to battle back and forth in the third quarter, but Boyden-Hull was able keep the lead heading into the fourth quarter 45-39. The Comets pulled ahead by 11 with just over 2 minutes to go, but back-to-back three pointers from A-P’s Owen Thomas pulled the Falcons to within 5 at 66-61 with just over a minute to go. Boyden-Hull was able to ice the game late to get the 77-66 win.
The Comets went 22 of 25 from the free throw line, and 7 of 17 from beyond the arc.
Boyden-Hull had three players in double figures. Tanner Te Slaa had a game high 24 points, Marcus Kelderman had 22 points, and Bryan Zylstra added 15 points. Aplington-Parkersburg got a team high 21 points from Jayden Mackie.
With the win Boyden-Hull improves to 26-0 on the year. Aplington-Parkersburg’s season comes to an end at 22-4.
The Western Christian Wolfpack defeated Des Moines Christian 56-47 to earn their spot in the finals. Western Christian and Des Moines Christian both were cold in the first quarter, with both teams shooting 31% or worse from the field. The Wolfpack had a slim 10-9 lead after the opening 8 minutes. The baskets started to fall for both teams in the second quarter and the teams battled back and forth. Western was able to get a four point lead heading into the half when Tyson Boer hit a three right before the half to give the Wolfpack at 28-24 lead.
Western would create some breathing room in the 3rd quarter, and take a 42-32 lead into the fourth quarter. The Wolfpack pushed their lead to 13 early, but Des Moines Christian would go on a 6-0 run to pull within 7 points. Western was able to hit key free throws down the stretch to take the 56-47 win
Western was led in scoring by Ty Van Essen with 15 points. Van Essen added 10 rebounds to his stat-line for the double-double and Brayden Van Meeteren added 11 points. Des Moines Christian got a team high 12 points from Elijah Hess.
With the win Western improves to 21-5 on the year, Des Moines Christian end the year at 22-3. Western will play Boyden-Hull Friday for the Class 2A Championship at 2:30 pm.
We’ll bring you the broadcast on KIWA FM 105.3 with pregame at 2:15. The game will be streamed as well at www.kiwaradio.com.
