DES MOINES - Manson Northwest Webster's long and relentless journey to the top of the mountain appeared to be nearly complete here Friday.
After falling in the state semifinals the past two years, Wade Wubben's No. 2 Cougars (24-2 overall) were in prime position for their first ever girls basketball championship.
Unranked Mount Vernon (25-3) wasn't about to be denied, though.
Making its seventh tournament appearance in program history and fourth straight, Manson Northwest Webster suffered a heartbreaking 59-56 setback to the Mustangs in the 2A title round at Wells Fargo Arena.
"The bottom line was (Mount Vernon) just killed us with too many second chance points," Wubben said. "I know they have a lot of athletes and (Kristen) Twait was sick, but we didn't do a good enough job of boxing out and keeping them off the boards.
"That was the big difference in the game."
The Cougars - who saw their 23-game win streak snapped in the loss - showed little signs of nerve early, as senior Morgan Markert's layup staked the blue and orange to an early eight-point edge at 21-13 in the last minute of the opening quarter.
MNW would never surrender the advantage again until the see-saw final frame, which featured 13 different ties and lead changes.
Liz Skotowski's clutch triple pushed the Mustangs in front (41-40) for the first time on the evening at the 7:45 mark of the fourth, however, the pesky Cougars responded with a mini-run - capped by a traditional three-point play from 6-foot-1 all-state senior forward Mika Rodewald - to regain the lead at 54-52 with just under two minutes left.
Brianna Strong's only two points of the night eventually knotted the game for Mount Vernon, and the Mustangs used three points from Taylor Dicus and a pair of key free throws by Micah Wieditz to build a 59-54 cushion with 23 seconds to go.
Down by three following an Amanda Bush bucket, MNW forced a turnover on the ensuing Mount Vernon possession, but the Cougars failed to get a shot off in the waning moments after being whistled for a traveling violation.
"We were trying to get Markert free in the corner," said Wubben. "Our other options were either Rodewald or (Blair) Schoon, but we just couldn't get a good look in that situation."
Manson Northwest Webster finished 23-for-53 (43.4 percent) from the field and 1 of 8 (12.5 percent) from behind the arc. Rodewald (17), Markert (15) and classmate Lauren Christianson (10) all scored in double digits for MNW.
Rodewald, a 2A all-tournament selection as a sophomore, added six rebounds and four blocks as well.
"(Mount Vernon) deserved (the win) more than us," Rodewald said. "We just played too sloppy."
Dicus - who went 10-for-11 from the floor - ignited the Mustangs with game highs in both points (22) and boards (15). The transfer from West Palm Beach, Fla. was named 2A all-tournament captain for her efforts.
Skotowski (16) and Wieditz (15) were the other top offensive performers for Mount Vernon, which also eliminated No. 1 Cascade in the regional finals on its way to the gold. Skotowski joined Dicus on the elite squad for the Mustangs, who won the 3A track championship last spring and the 2A volleyball crown this past fall.
Markert, Christianson and Rodewald concluded their prep careers on the hardwood with a sparkling 98-7 varsity record. Markert and Christianson were each named to the all-tournament team for MNW.
"Our seniors have had an incredible run," said Wubben. "They've been outstanding kids both on and off the court and will certainly be missed."
Contact Josh Meyer at (515) 573-2141, or by e-mail at sports@messengernews.net
