Hollywood ending for Exira
By LARRY PETERSON - CNA assistant managing editor lpeterson@crestonnews.com
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| Mount Ayr guard Jensen Stewart reacts after Exira made the game-winning shot at the buzzer Friday in the Class 1A state championship game held at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. Behind Stewart, cameramen record and snap photos of the Exira celebration. The Raiderettes (26-2) lost by two points, 57-55, but made school history Friday. Mount Ayr made its first appearance in any state basketball championship game. For more coverage, see page 5A. (CNA photo by KYLE WILSON) |
DES MOINES — A surreal ending to Mount Ayr’s improbable march to the Class 1A championship game in the Girls State Basketball Tournament left Raiderette fans stunned Saturday night in Wells Fargo Arena.
Ann Walker made the winning shot for Exira at the buzzer — “the kind of shot you see in the movies,” according to Mount Ayr junior guard Becca Pennington — in the team’s final game ever, for a 57-55 victory. Next year, Exira will combine all sports teams with Elk Horn-Kimb allton.
Mount Ayr, ranked No. 8, was in position to force second-rated Exira into overtime when the only Raiderette senior, Tiffany Wimer, dropped in a rebound basket after Pennington’s steal with 4.5 seconds left, tying the score 55-55.
• Read more of this story in the March 8 edition of the Creston News Advertiser.
