DES MOINES — The Lady Spartans’ first State Basketball Tournament campaign since 2006 ended in heartbreak Thursday, March 2 in a Class 3A semifinal clash with the Warriors of Sioux Center as the No. 7-seeded team held off a late Solon (seeded No. 2) rally for a 46-44 win.
Both teams struggled offensively in the first period, which was won 10-4 by the Warriors with Callie Levin draining a three-point bucket to put Solon on the scoreboard, and Anna Quillin putting in a free throw. Sioux Center went up 14-10 in the second despite two baskets and pair of free throws by Hailey Miller. Miller, a junior, would go on to lead the Spartans with 17 points. Mia Stahle brought Solon to within three thanks to a three-point basket, but the Warriors charged ahead to a 22-13 advantage at the half.
The Warriors opened the third period with a six-point run while holding Solon to a free throw by Miller for a 28-14 lead. Stahle nailed her second three-point basket, but the Warriors answered in-kind making it 31-17. Four free throws from Kolby Lietz and a basket from Levin helped keep the Spartans in the game but Sioux Center took a 33-24 advantage into the final eight minutes. Down, but not out, the Lady Spartans fought back in the fourth as Quillin sank a pair of free throws and Levin nailed a three-point basket to bring Solon to a five-point deficit, 35-30. Miller cut the gap to 35-32 with a field goal and a Stahle free throw made it 37-33. Sioux Center added four consecutive free throws to go back up 41-33 but with just under two minutes left Miller nailed a wide-open three making it 41-36.
Levin, who had been battling foul trouble throughout the game, was called for her fifth and final foul with 1:29 left to go. After trading free throws the Warriors led 43-38, but Miller put up two points with 1:08 left making it 43-40. Quillin drew a foul with 38 seconds left, nailed both shots from the stripe, and cut the gap to 43-42. The Warriors increased their lead to 45-42 with two more shots from the stripe. With 18.2 seconds left, Hilary Wilson launched a three-point shot that bounced in and out. Sioux Center drew another foul and put in one free throw to go up 46-42. Miller scored with 9.5 seconds left making it 46-44 and less than a full second later forced a turnover in front of their own bench but were unfortunately unable to capitalize.
In addition to Miller’s game high 17 points Stahle produced nine with eight from Levin, six from Quillin, and four by Lietz. Quillin led Solon in rebounds with 11. For the Warriors Makenna Walhof led with 14 points and Willow Bleaker had a dozen.
The Warriors advanced to the 3A Championship where they defeated WaMaC West’s Benton Community 62-47.
Miller and Bleeker (Captain) were named to the Class 3A All-Tournament Team with Benton’s Mckenna Kramer and Jenna Twedt, Vinton-Shellsburg’s Jenna Twedt, and Sioux Center’s Tatum Schmalbeck.
The Lady Spartans finished the season at 23-3.

Gallery • 14 Photos

Becky Holub • Contributed Photo

Mia Stahle (10), Sara Holtz (15), and Addi Greene react to their 46-44 loss to No.7-seeded Sioux Center Thursday, March 2 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines in the semifinals of the Class 3A Girls State Basketball Tournament.