Both West Fork and Remsen St. Mary’s played tough defense in their 1A quarterfinal game in Des Moines Monday, making their penetration games tough to execute Here Austin Jensen defends against West Fork’s Cail Weaver. Weaver was involved in a critical fourth quarter play that saw St. Mary’s Spencer Schorg slip on a water spot that had not been properly cleaned up after a timeout in front of the Warhawks bench. Weaver scooped up the loose ball and went in for a lay-up. West Fork won 55-53.Blaine Harpenau, who made his first start in several games as he battled with an ankle ijury that limited his playing time. grabs a rebound from Ren Heimer of West Fork.Remsen St. Mary’s in their traditional pregame huddle before taking on West Fork at the boys 1A State basketball tournament Monday at the Wells Fargo Arena. The Hawks were making their fourth straight trip to Des Moines.Co-head coaches Justin Ruden (standing) and Scott Ruden (addressing the team) during a late game timeout. Monday’s game featured 16 lead changes and 11 ties which led to several strategy sessions like this one as the two evenly matched teams battled down to the wire where Brayden Vold’s basket with six tenths of second to play ended the Hawks’ season at 22-4 with a 55-53 setback.Senior Spencer Schorg led Remsen St. Mary’s with 19 points in his final basketball game in a Hawks’ uniform. Spencer fell nine points shy of passing Nicholas Ruden as the all-time career scoring leader at St. Mary’s. Six seniors finished their careers Monday for the Hawks.Defense has been a key component of the St. Mary’s success over the last four State tournament trips. The Hawks dig in defensively late in the game Monday against West Fork.The Hawks bench reacts to another outstanding play by the St. Mary’s starters.Senior Skylar Waldschmitt finished with 12 points Monday.
