Cougars On To State

CONRAD  - A year of experience and determination to not feel that disappointment again carried the AGWSR girls’ basketball team to a berth in the Class 1A state tournament.

The eighth-ranked Cougars turned back Lynnville-Sully and captured the Region 3 final, 53-45 here Monday.

A strong third quarter showing lifted AGWSR and checked off a year-long goal of playing at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

The Cougars opened the third on an 13-2 run, stretching a narrow two-point halftime advantage into a double-digit 37-24 lead. AGWSR eventually took the period 17-8 and led 41-30 with eight-minute to go.

The Hawks chopped the margin to eight twice in the fourth quarter at 44-36 and later 50-52, but AGWSR answered. Taryan Barrick and Mandy Willems pushed the cushion to 48-36 and later Rachel Sicard made a free throw followed by a Makenna Kuper layup on a sweet assist from Aubrie Fisher.

“It finally feels good to get that hurdle off our back,” stated AGWSR coach Laurie Gann.
“The past couple years I have watched the seasons end in disappointment and tonight it is so much fun to watch the girls celebrate. All the work they have put into this season and to be rewarded is great.”

For the full story see Friday's edition of the paper.