Hollywood ending for Exira

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.