• Photo Showcase: Monday at the Iowa high school state boys basketball tournament

* * *

DES MOINES — On Nov. 30, Coon Rapids-Bayard lost its season-opener to rival Glidden-Ralston, 40-32.

When the Crusaders emerged from their postgame locker room, you could have cued the chirping crickets.

“I don't think there was anybody in the gym after the game, waiting for us,'' junior Jacob Esdohr said.

Coon Rapids-Bayard gave its fans plenty of reason to get behind them as the season wore on, and even though they lost a 72-29 Class 1-A state quarterfinal to Cedar Falls Northern University High on Monday, their fans gave them a long, loud ovation as they hoisted their participation trophy.

“We showed a lot of character,'' Coon Rapids-Bayard coach Cory Meyer said. “This group, tremendous effort all season long, and I couldn't be more proud of them.''

Making their first state appearance since 2002, eighth-seeded Coon Rapids (16-10) ran into a squad with superior size, strength and athleticism. Top-seeded and top-rated NU High (25-1) advanced to Thursday's 10:30 a.m. semifinal against third-rated and fourth-seeded Rock Valley (24-2). Rock Valley beat NU High 64-42 in last year's championship game.

NU High again has speed and skill to burn, and the Panthers showcased it in the opening game of the week at Wells Fargo Arena. The Panthers committed no first-half turnovers while shooting 52.8 percent from the field and racing to a 32-10 halftime lead.

“It's a little bit overwhelming. It takes you by surprise,'' Esdohr said of the Panthers' athletic ability. “They have a different kind of quickness, that's for sure.''

Meyer brought some coaches into practice last week to try and increase the speed of the game.

“There's no way to simulate what they're going to do, especially on the defensive end,'' Meyer said.

Esdohr was Coon Rapids' lone bright spot. The 6-foot junior finished with 17 points and five rebounds. However, until the 1:36 mark of the third quarter, only one other Crusader had scored in the game.

Tanner Cooke led NU High with 16 points, hitting 4 of 8 from 3-point range. Kyle Denning had 13, and Aaron Jones had 12.

After starting the season with the loss to Glidden-Ralston, Coon Rapids-Bayard was still 5-7 before reversing its fortunes.

“I think we started shooting the ball better, had more confidence on the court, and decided we wanted to do it,'' Esdohr said. “It means a lot to be here.''

Coon Rapids-Bayard (16-10)........................7 3 8 11 – 29

Cedar Falls NU High (25-1)..........................18 14 16 24 – 72

• CRB: Jacob Esdohr 7-16 2-3 17, Michael Schwenk 0-6 0-0 0, Gage Reis 0-4 0-0 0, Daniel Johnston 1-4 0-0 2, Jacob Hagan 1-1 2-2 4, Schyler Knudsen 0-2 0-0 0, Jake Zanders 0-0 0-0 0, Brendan McAlister 0-0 0-0 0, Jake Stoffers 0-1 0-0 0, Zach Davis 0-0 0-0 0, Shak Abner 0-0 0-0 0, Brady Eischeid 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 11-39 6-9 29.

• NU: Jalen Barnes 3-4 1-4 7, Eddie Diemer 1-3 0-0 2, Kyle Denning 4-10 2-2 13, Tanner Cooke 6-10 0-0 16, Aaron Jones 6-9 0-0 12, Andrew Stone 0-0 1-4 1, Trai O'Connell 2-2 0-0 4, Dominique Fagan 4-8 0-0 8, Darrell Coleman 0-0 0-0 0, Johnny Hines 0-1 0-0 0, Eric Hines 0-1 0-0 0, Tommy Amlie 2-3 2-2 6, Charlie Nuhn 0-2 0-0 0, Jawanzaa Holmes 0-0 2-4 2. Totals: 28-53 8-16 72.

• 3-point goals: CRB 1-12 (Esdohr 1-4, Schwenk 0-1, Knudsen 0-1, Schlatter 0-1, Stoffers 0-1, Reis 0-4), NU 8-21 (Cooke 4-8, Denning 3-7, O'Connell 1-1, Barnes 0-1, Fagan 0-2, Nuhn 0-2). Total fouls: CRB 13, NU 14. Fouled out: none. Technical fouls: none. Rebounds: CRB 23 (Esdohr 5), NU 35 (Barnes, Diemer 5). Assists: CRB 5 (Schwenk 2), NU 10 (Diemer, Denning 3). Steals: CRB 2 (Esdohr, Johnston), NU 10 (Denning 3). Turnovers: CRB 17, NU 7.

« High Schools

Share