Grand View Christian 59, St. Mary’s, Remsen 53

Class 1A Semifinals

Grand View Christian 59, St. Mary’s, Remsen 53

DES MOINES – Defending champion Grand View Christian survived an upset bid from previously unbeaten St. Mary’s, Remsen to return to the Class 1A championship game at Wells Fargo Arena. The Thunder (24-1) turned a 48-40 deficit around into a 59-53 win over the last 4:13 of Wednesday evening’s semifinal. Coach Dave Stubbs’ squad will attempt to repeat as champions in just the fourth year of the program.

St. Mary’s went on a 15-2 run from late in the third quarter and into the early fourth to make the semifinal thrilling to the finish, as both squads pressed for a lead in a defensive struggle. The Hawks (26-1) held Grand View to 33 percent field goal shooting and just 38 points through three quarters, and senior guard Grant DeMeulenaere struggled through a 5-of-25 performance.

But the Thunder emerged unscathed, with DeMeulenaere trusted to shoot free throws down the stretch and Issa Samake and Mach Nyaw joining him in double-digits scoring. DeMeulenaere finished with 18 points – despite a 1-of-14 night from 3-point range – and Samake and Nyaw had 13 points each. Samake added 15 rebounds before fouling out with 5:31 remaining and Hawks’ fans going wild on the east sideline.

St. Mary’s shared the ball well and had three scorers in double-digits: Brody Ricke (16 points), Nicholas Ruden (13), and Spencer Schorg (10). Both Ricke and Schorg finished with five assists.

Grand View will meet top-seeded and unbeaten North Linn in Friday’s 2 p.m. championship game.

Quarterfinal Round – March 5

North Linn 80, Edgewood-Colesburg 34 – Final | BOX SCORE | GAME STORY

Don Bosco, Gilbertville 60, George-Little Rock 57 – Final | BOX SCORE | GAME STORY

Grand View Christian 78,  St. Albert, Council Bluffs 68 – Final | BOX SCORE | GAME STORY

St. Mary’s, Remsen 73, Lynnville-Sully 57 – Final | BOX SCORE | GAME STORY

Semifinal Round – March 7

North Linn 74, Don Bosco, Gilbertville 51 – Final | BOX SCORE

Grand View Christian 59, St. Mary’s, Remsen 53 – Final | BOX SCORE

Consolation Round – March 8, 10:30 a.m.

Don Bosco, Gilbertville vs. St. Mary’s, Remsen

Championship Round – March 9, 2:00 p.m.­

North Linn, Troy Mills vs. Grand View Christian