North Linn often scores in bunches by forcing turnovers that lead to layups.
The Lynx are pretty darn good in their half-court offense, too.
North Linn freed up its shooters with crisp passing and hit 11 3-pointers in downing Council Bluffs St. Albert 60-37 to reach the Class 1A championship game. The second-seeded Lynx, the 2020 Class 2A champions, will play for the title at 7 p.m. Saturday in the final game for the 2024 state tournament.
The Lynx caused their share of turnovers in this one, forcing 23 and coming up with 11 steals. But most of their scoring came from sharp execution and accurate shooting.
The Boge sisters led the way, Molly going 4-for-8 from 3-point range in scoring 16 points and Macy adding 12 to go with seven assists and five steals. Skylar Benesh added nine points on 3-for-6 shooting from long range, while Mackenzie Bridgewater and Allie Haughenbury each scored six. Bridgewater got hers on two 3-pointers. Haughenbury scored her points on free throws.
Avah Underwood, a smooth 6-foot sophomore, led St. Albert with 23 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks. She went 9-for-11 from the field – 9-for-10 from inside the arc. Only one other starter scored, 6-foot-4 Missy Evezic finishing with six points.
St. Albert shot it decently at 43 percent, but the turnovers kept the Saintes from getting off enough shots.
Even the with its offensive struggles, St. Albert hung around for much of the first half. The Saintes scored six in a row to tie it at 10 and trailed just 27-21 after Molly Wise hit a 3-pointer late in the first half. North Linn answered with 3-pointers from Bridgewater, Molly Boge, Benesh and Macy Boge to take a 36-23 halftime lead.
Ahead 36-26 early in the third quarter, the Lynx finished the period with a 16-4 run for a commanding 52-30 lead and it wasn’t long before they were celebrating their third trip to the state finals. Along with its 2020 championship, North Linn was the 2A runner-up in 2015.
St. Albert, the 2A runner-up in 2000, made it to state for the seventh time and finished 23-2. The Saintes’ only other loss was to 3A tournament qualifier Harlan.