Dowling's Maddie Bosworth passes to an open teammate during Friday's game against Southeast Polk. / Dan Hodges/Special to the Register
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- H.S. Girls Basketball
Caitlin Ingle’s mother told her how she was in junior high when Southeast Polk won a state girls’ basketball title in 1977.
Ingle made her own history Friday.
No. 5 Southeast Polk beat Dowling Catholic 50-41 to win the school’s first conference girls’ basketball crown since 1986 — a time when Whitney Houston’s “How Will I Know” ruled the pop charts and the Rams played the six-on-six game.
“We’ve waited a long time for this,” said Ingle, whose parents attended Southeast Polk.
Freshman Annie Penquite hit four 3-pointers and led the Rams with 14 points. Ingle scored 13 before a crowd of nearly 2,000.
Freshman Annie Penquite hit four 3-pointers and led the Rams with 14 points. Ingle scored 13 before a crowd of nearly 2,000.
Southeast Polk won its 16th straight game. The Rams improved to 9-0 in the CIML Central Conference and are 18-1 overall.
Dowling was led by Haley Faber’s 11 points. Morgan Mauro added 10. The Maroons fell to 6-3 in the Central Conference, 15-3 overall.
Southeast Polk won a state title in 1977 and took second in 1987 and 1988.
For years, the Rams finished behind powerhouse Ankeny. When the schools moved to the CIML Central a decade ago, Southeast Polk faced giants like Ankeny and Dowling.
“To win the title on Dowling’s home court, to me, that’s a monumental feat,” first-year Southeast Polk coach Todd Borrison said.
Dowling co-coach Bob Hanson, who won a six-on-six state title at East in 1979, said Borrison brought a change to the program.
“The change in confidence from the end of last year to this year is unbelievable,” Hanson said. “Those kids really believe in themselves.”
Borrison arrived from Davenport Assumption. He has won three state championships — two at Preston and another at Assumption.
Southeast Polk opened the game strong. The Rams led 15-4 after the first period.
Dowling rallied with strong rebounding.
Dowling rallied with strong rebounding.
“In the second quarter, we were really hitting the boards,” Hanson said.
Dowling cut the lead to 34-30 on a layin by Caitlyn Fuller with 1:30 left in the third quarter.
Dowling cut the lead to 34-30 on a layin by Caitlyn Fuller with 1:30 left in the third quarter.
Southeast Polk rallied, helped by Penquite, who hit two 3-pointers in the fourth quarter.
She equaled a career high with her four 3-pointers.
She equaled a career high with her four 3-pointers.
“It felt right to shoot it when I was open,” Penquite said.
A trip to state next month is on the players’ minds.
“It makes us work for a goal and gives us something to look forward to,” Penquite said.
Ingle’s mom, Lynn, will share the joy of a conference title with her daughter.
Ingle’s mom, Lynn, will share the joy of a conference title with her daughter.
“She gets just about as excited as I do before games,” Caitlin Ingle said.
