Exira/Elk Horn-Kimballton's
season is still perfect.
The second-ranked Spartans ran their
record to 25-0 with a 63-48 victory over No. 14 Bedford in a first-round Class
1A game. Rachel Smith, the only senior on either team, hit a 3-pointer just 10
seconds into the game and Exira/EHK led the rest of the way.
This is the first state tournament
trip for the combined Exira/EHK district, though both schools enjoyed success
in the past. Exira made it state six times and won the 1A title in 2011 behind Hallie Christofferson, who went
on to star at Iowa State. Elk Horn-Kimballton
qualified eight times and in Jan Jensen, had one of the state's
best ever in the six-player era.
Smith finished with 22 points to
lead all scorers. She shot 8-for-16 from the field, grabbed seven rebounds and
handed out four assists.
Freshman Sophia Peppers added 17
points and 10 rebounds for the Spartans and Rose Anderson turned in a solid
game with seven points, eight assists and six rebounds.
Bedford, which made it to Des Moines
for the fourth time in five years, was led by Fallyn
Beemer's 15 points. McKenzie Jackson scored 10 for the Bulldogs, while Callie Calfee and Emily Weed each had nine. Weed also grabbed
eight rebounds.
Exira/EHK led 24-18 at halftime,
then dominated the third quarter behind Smith, who scored 10 points in the
period and fed Sadie Schultes for a jumper that made
it 44-30. Bedford never got closer than nine points the rest of the way.
Exira/EHK, which had 13 steals, will
play its semifinal game at 10 a.m. Thursday. Bedford finishes 19-5.