The Grundy Center girls and boys basketball teams with opportunities to defend their home court both advanced in their respective postseasons. The #4 (2A) Spartan boys secured a 79-70 victory over Pleasantville in a district semifinal on Saturday. The #8 (2A) Grundy Center girls won 64-35 over Jesup in a regional semifinal on Friday.
In the boys game, Pleasantville with nine three pointers in the first half took a 38-34 lead into halftime. The Spartans stayed within striking distance of the Trojans behind a 12 point first half by Judd Jirovsky. The Trojans led 57-52 entering the fourth quarter. The Spartans took their first lead of the second half at 58-57 with 7:14 to go in the contest and never trailed again by outscoring the Trojans 21-13 to close it out.
Judd Jirovsky set the tone for the team with 32 points. Brayden Davie had 16 points and Ethan Meester added 15 for the Spartans.
The Grundy Center boys will host Van Meter in a 2A district final on Tuesday, February 24.
In the girls game, Grundy Center held Jesup to single digit scoring in the first and second quarter to build up a 29-17 lead by halftime. The Spartans outscored the J-Hawks 35-18 in the second half to pull away. The Spartans offense thrived in the matchup behind 51 percent shooting from the field and 60 percent shooting from beyond the arc.
Karlee Lynch led the team with 16 points. Maddy Hendershot and Raelyn Steinmeyer each added 10 points apiece for the Spartans.
The Grundy Center girls will face Iowa City Regina in the 2A Region 8 championship game at neutral site Benton Community on Wednesday, February 25.
