*** 3A State Talk - Dallas Center-Grimes (20-4) Vs. LeMars (20-4) ****

[LukeFeddersen]

This thread will be linked on the front page. Post updates, final game talk, and predictions before the game on what you expect to happen here!

 

[EastIowaHawk]

DC-G really struggled in the first half. 32- 16 LeMars at half.

 

[jasonrann]

Le Mars wins!

 

[LukeFeddersen]

Good game by LeMars. Strong first half obviously helped a ton.

 

[maxstabs13]

DCG 26
LeMars 13
Foul Count

Paulson 15-19 FT for LeMars

Were the refs favorable toward LeMars or was DCG just fouling that much by being out of position? I didn't see the game.

That is the difference in the game.

 

[jasonrann]

The refs definitely weren't slanted at all, DCG just fouled more. Le Mars was very aggressive against their zone in the first half, got them out of position resulting in easy buckets and fouls. DCG also missed a TON of shots in the first half. I watched the game online. I'm heading up to the game Thursday night. Tyler Paulson is my nephew, pretty pumped about his performance today. DCG really keyed on shutting down Borchers.
This post was edited on 3/10 4:15 PM by jasonrann

 

[sarcastico]

Lemars spacing and passing was excellent leading to open players and DCG fouls. This was the third time I have seen DCG play and it was by far their worst shooting performance. Still they played hard and got back in it after Lemars looked like they were going to roll. Rix played huge in the 2nd half. Lemars played really well, especially with Borchers in foul trouble. Good win for them.

I also have to say I was impressed with Lemars crowd. The brought a ton of people for a first round game.

 

[nwiowahawkeyefan]

LeMars controlled this game in the first half. Honestly, the word to describe it was a 'clinic'. LeMars was running a dominating offense and Dallas Center-Grimes simply could not keep up. This led to a lot of fouls on the Mustangs to try to prevent more easy layups. In talking about the foul difference after the game, we actually had DCG fans overhear us and tell us that they thought the reffing was very even, it was just their team was spending so much time watching the LeMars players run by that all they could do to stop them was grab their arms.

The fouling technique actually almost paid off in the end, though. Early in the second half, Dallas Center-Grimes was helped majorly by Tyler Borchers's foul trouble. He picked up his fourth foul early in the third quarter and he sat out over half of the second half because of it. Without him on the floor, LeMars did not have their major offensive weapon, and DCG decided to continue fouingl LeMars because the rest of LeMars was missing their foul shots. It almost worked, too, as DCG was able to use hot three point shooting to cut an 18 point LeMars lead down to single digits. However, LeMars brought Borchers back in and the lead swelled back up to double digits before LeMars was able to overcome a couple more DCG three pointers with a couple free throws and the keep-away game.

Overall, it wasn't one of LeMars's best games -- they missed THIRTEEN free throws (!!!) and gave up way too many easy buckets in the second half (No Borchers is not an excuse, LeMars has the size to defend well), but it was one that the players and fans will remember for a long time.

Also, it was LeMars Head Coach Dave Irwin's 200th victory at LeMars Community. Another reason to celebrate.

Dallas Center-Grimes was a great team and their fans we talked to after the game were so kind about our team and our fans. It was just so great to have such a high-caliber game that ended peacefully and without controversy. I'm hoping for more of the same on Thursday. Congratulations on a great season, Mustangs!

See you all again on Thursday.