What we learned from Dike-New Hartford's fourth-straight 2A girls state basketball title

DES MOINES — Dike-New Hartford keeps making history.

The Wolverine volleyball team turned in a historic 50-0 season this past fall. On Saturday, the Wolverine girls basketball team became the second program in state 5-on-5 history to claim four consecutive titles by edging Panorama, 48-46, in the 2A girls state championship game.

"Honestly it hasn't set in yet," Petersen said. "It's truly special. We worked so hard to get where we are. Sometimes you take things for granted, but just knowing you put blood sweat and tears into this — we're working hard every day in practice and every summer. That's a testament to what our team is, how our coaches coach and our community."

Dike-New Hartford finished with a 26-2 record. The Wolverines are 103-5 over the past four years as they joined the 2002-2005 Ankeny Hawks as the only teams to win four straight state titles in the 5-on-5 era.

Panorama concluded its season at 25-2.

Here is what we learned from the 2A state championship game.

Payton Petersen powers the Wolverines to victory

Petersen, a University of Louisville volleyball recruit, willed DNH to its historic fourth-straight state title.

The 5-foot-11 center went for 27 points and 14 rebounds. She made 11 of 16 field goals and 5 of 7 free throws to help the Wolverines make history.

"I've been here before — four times," Petersen said. "I knew that I needed to be big here. Not just scoring offensively, but keeping everyone calm. I've been in a game where it's been up and down, not only in basketball but in volleyball. I've been in times where there's pressure and I know what it's like, so I'm just making sure my teammates are comfortable in those times."

Panorama took its first lead at 40-39 on a Tyme Boettcher 3-pointer with 5:15 left in the fourth quarter and Morgan Crees followed with a steal and basket for the Panthers. Then Petersen took over.

Izzy Norton tied the game for DNH with a 3-pointer and then Petersen scored a basket inside and quickly added another one off a steal to put the Wolverines up by four.

With DNH clinging to a 46-45 lead Petersen had ice in her veins when she hit two free throws with 17 seconds left. With three seconds left Panorama's Mia Waddle was fouled and she hit the first free throw, then intentionally missed the second.

Petersen was there to secure the rebound and her team's historic fourth-consecutive title.

Other Wolverine players fill their roles

Petersen was the star on Saturday for Dike-New Hartford.

But the rest of the Wolverine players needed to do their part to make the championship happen. As a team, DNH held Panorama to 32% shooting from the field and just a 6 of 26 showing from 3-point range.

The Wolverines held leading Panorama scorer Tyme Boettcher to 5 of 24 shooting from the field and a 3 of 15 effort from 3-point range.

Petersen's twin sister Jadyn had seven points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Maryn Bixby put up eight points and three steals and Norton hit two timely 3-pointers for the Wolverines.

"We're all out there for each other," said Bixby. "Different people step up in different games, and I think that's a huge part of it. Inside-out, this team is awesome. Playing as a team is important."

Jaidyn Sellers is sensational for Panorama

With Boettcher struggling, Panorama desperately needed someone else to step up.

Sellers was that individual.

The 5-11 forward. nearly pulled off a triple-double with 20 points, nine rebounds and nine steals. She also blocked three shots, including a block of an outside shot in the fourth quarter where she covered nearly one-third of the floor to get out on the DNH shooter.

"She's a beast," said Boettcher. "I don't know what we would do if she wasn't on our team."

Sellers was happy to step up on the big stage to give her team a chance to pull off the upset.

"During the game, I just play my game," said Sellers. "I didn't even know I was close to (a triple-double)."

Sellers is an Iowa softball recruit, who is also a state and Drake Relays champion sprinter in track.

That speed came in handy during the championship game.

"One of the big things was running the floor," Sellers said. "Get out in front of their bigs before they can play defense and get the open looks. The track and the speed really helps."

Boettcher finished with 13 points, six rebounds and four steals. As a team Panorama had 21 steals and forced 24 turnovers, which kept the game close.

Waddle added eight points and three assists and Crees six assists, five steals and two points for the Panthers.

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: Dike-New Hartford claims 2A girls state title with win over Panorama