Iowa high school boys basketball state tournament: North Linn slips past Bellevue Marquette for another 1A title

North Linn is 106-4 over the past four seasons

DES MOINES, IOWA – If there’s a current dynasty in Iowa high school boys basketball, North Linn can make an argument that it’s them. 

The Lynx made it back-to-back Class 1A state titles, holding off Bellevue Marquette Catholic 57-56 Friday afternoon at Wells Fargo Arena.

It was unprecedented seventh straight championship game for North Linn – just six days after the school won the girls state title. The Lynx are an incredible 106-4 over the last four seasons.

Mason Bechen was named captain of the all-tournament team with a stellar performance of 24 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

North Linn's Hayden Schmidt shoots a jump shot against Bellevue Marquette during the Class 1A state championship game at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Friday. (Photo by Ryan Timmerman)

“There’s no words for how I feel,” said Bechen, just a junior. “I’ve been lucky enough to be here every year and to win two of three is just an amazing feeling.”

“Mason’s had to battle some injuries this season, and he really turned it up to a whole new level since the postseason started,” said North Linn coach Mike Hilmer said.

The victory gives the Lynx their third state championship in school history, but it wasn’t easy.

Marquette guard Kannon Still caught fire in the third quarter hitting three 3-pointers, sparking an 8-0 run. The Defenders led by as many as 42-37 on a layup by Spencer Roeder with 1:49 left in the third.

“My teammates trusted me, and I got hot,” said Still, who hit two 3s during the flurry. “I know when I get hot, they’re going to go in.”

Bechen then sparked the defending champions with five straight points in the final two minutes, and the two teams were tied at 44-all heading into the fourth quarter.

Jake Van Etten scored seven points of his 11 points in the fourth quarter though, and the Lynx were able to regain a 56-51 advantage with 34.3 seconds left.

Marquette then cut it to 56-54 with 25.1 seconds left on a left-handed scoop shot by Roeder that resulted in a three-point play.

Bechen sank a free throw with 23.9 seconds left, and the Lynx went to a 1-2-2 zone. Marquette struggled to get a quality shot off, and Louis Gonner’s 3-pointer was off the mark. Roeder put back the miss at the buzzer, and the Lynx survived with a one-point victory.

“It was what we expected. They’re a great team. We played them a few weeks ago, got up 20 and they cut it to four or five.” Hilmer said. “They’re a tough matchup.”

North Linn, which won that Feb. 2 meeting 69-60 in Bellevue, held the Defenders to 38 percent (5 of 15) shooting in the fourth quarter, which was key after they converted 60.7 percent in the first three quarters.

“Still hit a few threes so we knew we had to stop him,” said Ty Pflughaupt, who had six points and blocked five shots. “We were able to get a few more stops than them in the fourth quarter.”

North Linn shot 46.2 percent from the field, converting 24 of 52 and made only 1 of 13 3-point attempts.

Bellevue Marquette's Eli Scott dribbles up the court against North Linn during the Class 1A state championship game at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Friday. (Photo by Ryan Timmerman)

Bellevue Marquette's Eli Scott dribbles up the court against North Linn during the Class 1A state championship game at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Friday.

There were three ties and four lead changes in the early going, but North Linn took advantage of seven Marquette turnovers surged ahead 19-14 at the break as Brecklyn Betenbender scored nine points in the first quarter.

The Lynx (26-1) led by six on three occasions in the second quarter but couldn’t shake the Defenders, who had an answer. Caden Kettmann, buried a corner 3-pointer from left side with 35 seconds left to make it a 30-27 game at halftime.

Marquette was hurt by 18 turnovers and only forced seven. It was also outrebounded 31-22.

Roeder had a big game with a double-double of 17 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Defenders, who had a balanced-scoring attack. Still ended up with 16 points, hitting four trifectas, and Kettmann chipped in with 11.

The Defenders finish the season with a 27-2 record, losing only to North Linn.

“It was a joy to be in this game,” said coach Isaac Sturm. “The kids put in a lot of work and we were just a basket short of winning. I have a lot of respect for North Linn. We know how good they are.

Helmer is now 525-239 in his storied 33-year career.

Class 1A All-Tournament Team

Cam Buffington, Winfield-Mt. Union

Aiden Stensrud, Lake Mills

Ty Pflughaupt, North Linn

Spencer Roeder, Marquette

Captain: Mason Bechen, North Linn

--Chris Short | @SBLiveIA