Iowa Hawkeye hoops signees track down Moline’s first-ever state title
A pair of Iowa Hawkeyes basketball signees brought Moline to a place it has never gone before. The Maroons are Class 4A state champions in Illinois.
Moline hadn’t played for the state championship since a runner-up finish in the 1951 season. Before that, Moline registered fourth place finishes in 1934, 1935, 1945 and a third place finish in 1940.
Now, thanks to Iowa signees Brock Harding and Owen Freeman, Moline has risen above the rest. Moline (35-3) toppled Benet Academy, 59-42, to capture the school’s first state championship from inside the State Farm Center at the University of Illinois.
Harding led the way, scoring 28 points. Freeman added six points and nine rebounds for the Maroons en route to the crown.
“It still doesn’t feel real. People told me teams not from Chicago or the ‘burbs don’t win it. We came here and shut them all up,” Harding told the Chicago Sun Times afterwards.
Freeman, a 6-foot-10 forward, joined Moline this offseason. He transferred in from Bradley-Bourbonnais and brought state title hopes and expectations with him.
“It’s so special to bring the championship back to a town like Moline. The community has been great. I can’t wait to celebrate,” Freeman said.
The pair each signed with Iowa back in November alongside forward Pryce Sandfort.
Here’s some of the reaction to the state championship. Plus, another look at the pair’s recruiting profile.
Floor general
University of Iowa signee Brock Harding was the floor general for Moline (IL) dropping 28pts and leading his Maroons to their first IHSA 4A basketball title in school history! 🏆@MolineBoysBball @hardingbrock2 @IowaHoops pic.twitter.com/cWjH0gdRHr
— SportsCenter NEXT (@SCNext) March 12, 2023
Let it be known the Hawkeyes struck gold
Make no mistake about it – @hardingbrock2 and @_OwenFreeman made it well known a couple of Hawkeyes just struck gold in Champaign @HawkeyeReport @ChadLeistikow @TheScoreWQAD pic.twitter.com/a1n3ihP52k
— Matt Randazzo (@MattRandazzo) March 12, 2023
Champs!
Moline Maroons are your 4A STATE CHAMPIONS!!! #ringseason #molinepride pic.twitter.com/hWrfYAPmJM
— Moline Boys Basketball (@MolineBoysBball) March 12, 2023
Ring season
🏀2⃣0⃣2⃣3⃣ #IHSA BOYS BASKETBALL STATE FINALS
🏆 Class 4⃣A | State Championship🏆🔴 Moline 59
🐦 Benet 42⭐️ MHS Brock Harding (28 pts, 3 stl, 3 ast)
🥇🥈 Moline wins Class 4A @IHSAstate championship, Benet finishes second! pic.twitter.com/9wMKyznzjk
— IHSA State (@IHSAState) March 12, 2023
The celebration is on
Love this celebration from @MolineBoysBball!!
Unreal night, unreal season. @wqad @TheScoreWQAD pic.twitter.com/vr7TDwGGFT
— Camille Gear (@CamilleGearTV) March 12, 2023
It's a parade
It’s a parade inside my city yaaaaaaa❤️ #motownthisforyou #iluvmotown pic.twitter.com/DyHwiag3Tq
— Jasper Ogburn (@ogburn_jasper) March 12, 2023
Congrats!
Congrats to future Hawkeyes, Brock Harding and Owen Freeman on helping Moline win its first ever state tile last night! 👏🏆 pic.twitter.com/Wy2ryqwCpd
— Iowa Men’s Basketball (@IowaHoops) March 12, 2023
Motown, how we feelin'?
MOTOWN HOW WE FEEL‼️‼️💍
— Owen Freeman (@_OwenFreeman) March 12, 2023
Home
Moline, you have shown nothing but love to my family and I from day 1. I truly appreciate the love and support you’ve all shown! A special thanks to the coaches and teammates that welcomed us with open arms. I feel honored to bring a title to the city! This is my home❤️
— Owen Freeman (@_OwenFreeman) March 12, 2023
Brock Harding signee file
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen, Iowa City Press-Citizen via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Recruiting rankings
247Sports: Three-star, No. 147 player nationally, No. 21 point guard, No. 7 player from Illinois
Rivals: Three-star, No. 38 point guard
On3: Four-star, No. 113 player nationally, No. 17 point guard, No. 4 player from Illinois
ESPN: Three-star, No. 57 point guard, No. 17 player from Illinois
Vitals
6-foot-1, 160 pounds
Brock Harding on joining Iowa
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen, Iowa City Press-Citizen via Imagn Content Services, LLC
Quote on joining Iowa
“I am super excited to make my decision official and get the opportunity to play in the Big Ten under one of the best to ever do it! I ultimately chose Iowa because I felt it was what was best for me to grow as a player and as a person. The University of Iowa is the right fit.”
Quote from coach Fran McCaffery on joining
“Brock is a do-everything guard. He can shoot threes. He can shoot pull-ups. He’s quick and is a phenomenal passer. He’s all over the place always making the right decision.”
Owen Freeman signee file
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
Recruiting rankings
247Sports: Three-star, No. 143 player nationally, No. 30 power forward, No. 6 player from Illinois
Rivals: Three-star, No. 21 center
On3: Three-star, No. 40 power forward, No. 8 player from Illinois
ESPN: Four-star, No. 27 center, No. 7 player from Illinois
Vitals
6-foot-11, 225 pounds
Owen Freeman on joining Iowa
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
Quote on joining Iowa
“I am extremely excited and blessed to be joining the Iowa men’s basketball program. As a kid, I dreamed of an opportunity to play college basketball. Being able to fulfill this dream makes me so happy, and I can’t wait to get to Iowa! I was attracted to Iowa because of the staff and players. The coaches believe in me and my abilities, and I know they could make me a better player and person.”
Quote from coach Fran McCaffery on joining
“We are excited that Owen is joining our program. He is athletic. He’s tough. He’s skilled. Owen is someone we need to come in and help us right away and I know he can. He played with Brock a couple years on the AAU circuit.”
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