The #9 (2A) Grundy Center girls basketball team has qualified for the state tournament for the first time since 2021. The Spartans achieved the feat with a 55-48 win over #8 (2A) Nodaway Valley in Wednesday’s regional final at Ballard.
The Spartans began the season unranked after finishing 11-11 in 2022-2023, which included a first round postseason exit. They started the season strong, and entered the rankings for good after a win over Aplington-Parkersburg in late December. It was a balance of blowout wins and having to grind in late game situations, but the Spartans seemingly always found a way. Head Coach Matt Lindeman says the state appearance is a testament to the players.
“It’s a great way for these seniors to culminate their senior year, down at The Well,” Lindeman says. “Everybody dreams of it. Without a doubt, it was an unbelievable dream for this group to think at the beginning of the year or before that to think they could do this. And now with hard work, playing unselfishly, being so good to each other, the dream comes true, and that’s what I’m most proud of. And, you know, then we go do it all over and we get to play another day and that’s all you can ask for.”
The only losses were to #14 (2A) North Mahaska and #1 (2A) Dike-New Hartford.
In the regional postseason, the Spartans dominated Madrid 55-13 in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, they overcame a 15 percent night of shooting by making 21/24 free throws in a 38-29 win over South Hamilton.
The 21-2 Spartans are the #7-seed, and will take on #2-seed Panorama in a state quarterfinal on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. on 99 The Wave.
