Cougars on the steps of program history
STORM LAKE — For the first time in program history, the Manson Northwest Webster boys are on the doorstep of the state tournament.
The Cougars (19-5 overall) meet No. 3 West Lyon (20-3) here Saturday night on the campus of Buena Vista University in a Class 2A, Substate 2 final.
Tip is set for 6:30 p.m. following another 2A substate championship between OABCIG and top-ranked Western Christian that starts at 4 p.m.
Logan Moline, the school’s all-time career scoring leader and a Buena Vista-signee, scored 26 to pace the MNW attack in a district final win over Ridge View earlier this week, 66-63.
Moline averages 21 per game on 52 percent shooting from the field with a team-high 8.3 rebounds. Fellow seniors Kelan Koval (13.9 points, 5.4 rebounds) and Matt Condon (8.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists) flank him.
The Cougars have won 10 in a row since back-to-back losses in late January to No. 4 (1A) St. Edmond and Emmetsburg. They have won their two previous postseason games by a combined 10 points.
Manson qualified for the state tournament twice, advancing in 1970 and ’72. The schools consolidated in 1989, with the 1990-91 season marking the first as a combined program.
West Lyon has not lost since a two-game skid at the hands of eighth-ranked (3A) MOC-Floyd Valley and No. 2 (2A) Carroll Kuemper
Senior Carson Hoogeveen leads the team at 17.5 points per game, shooting 51 percent from the floor and 47 percent from the 3-point line. Juniors Jorden Meyer and Jared Ciesielski add 15 and eight points per game.
As a program, West Lyon has made one previous trip to state, winning it all in 2014.
The remaining 2A finals will see Union face Kuemper, Northeast play seventh-ranked Grundy Center, No. 10 West Burlington square off with fifth-rated Grand View Christian, No. 4 Unity Christian take on Spirit Lake, Albia play sixth-ranked Treynor and North Fayette Valley battle Jesup.