What we learned from Ballard's 3A state quarterfinal loss to Davenport Assumption

DES MOINES — A great start did not hold up for the No. 5 seed Ballard boys basketball team against No. 4 seed Davenport Assumption in the Class 3A quarterfinals of the boys state basketball tournament Tuesday at Wells Fargo Arena.

The Bombers jumped out to a big early lead, but Assumption had too much athleticism and quickness for them to overcome over the final three quarters, falling to the Knights, 84-73.

"This was a really cool experience to get to come down here," said Ballard guard Jackson Brown. "It didn't go the way we wanted, but I think we gave them a run for their money and that was the goal — to play well down here."

Ballard finished the season at 16-9. Assumption will take a 17-8 record into Thursday's semifinals against top-seed Decorah (23-2).

Ballard could not have asked for a better start

The game could not have started any better for Ballard.

The Bombers raced out to a 17-5 lead. Point guard Jude Gibson scored six early points, Nolan Cogdill stepped out to hit two 3-pointers, Brown hit one from downtown and Miles Mudd scored after beating Assumption down the court during Ballard's hot start.

"We're one of the better shooting teams in 3A and we knocked down some shots," said Ballard coach Jeff Schertz. "But Assumption wasn't going to go away."

Assumption is too athletic and strong in transition

The Knights went on a 17-4 run to take a 22-21 lead. By halftime, their lead grew to 40-31.

Ballard never got closer than eight points in the second half.

"We really came with a lot of energy," said Assumption guard Navon Shabazz. "We practice those types of situations every day at practice, and it prepared us for that moment because we went out and executed."

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Shabazz had 21 points and six rebounds. Damyen Jackson finished with 21 points, eight assists and three steals and Kayvion Hodges stepped up with 19 points and 12 rebounds for Assumption.

Braylon Thomsen added 13 points and six boards for the Knights, who shot at a blistering 63% from the field and held a huge 37-16 advantage on the boards.

"(Hodges) on the boards, he was coming from everywhere," Schertz said. "Their guards are obviously really nice players. They were at the rim a lot and they are just monsters in transition."

Bombers put up a fight

Despite Assumption's hot shooting and dominance on the boards, the Bombers were competitive for the entire game.

Ballard cut a 16-point deficit down to nine points late in the fourth quarter.

"I'm proud of our team that we were able to keep fighting," Brown said. "We got up early, they made a run back, but we didn't let that affect us. They didn't run us out of the gym. I'm proud we put up a great fight against a great team like Assumption that could definitely win this whole thing."

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Ballard stayed in the game by hitting 13 of 27 3-pointers, forcing 14 turnovers and only committing six.

Brown made five 3-pointers and ended up with 21 points and five rebounds. Gibson posted a double-double with 11 points and 12 assists, Mudd stepped up with 17 points on 7 of 8 shooting from the field and Cogdill tallied 15 points and five rebounds.

Ballard plans to make it back to state next year

Cogdill and reserve guard Owen Greco are the only seniors on Ballard's roster.

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After the experience the Bombers gained in making it back to state for the first time since placing second in 3A during the 2020-2021 season, they have the potential to make it back and make a deeper run next season.

"Being here the first time is an experience," Gibson said. "We'll take this to heart, and we'll bounce back."

Joe Randleman covers high school sports for the Ames Tribune. Contact him at jrandleman@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @JoeRandleman

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Ballard falls to Assumption Iowa boys basketball state quarterfinals