—Messenger photos by Britt Kudla The Bishop Garrigan boys basketball team stands with the Class 1A runner-up banner. The Golden Bears lost to Wapsie Valley 65-53 inside Wells Fargo Arena on Friday. For more photos, visit CU at messengernews.net

DES MOINES — The spark just never ignited for the Bishop Garrigan boys here Friday afternoon.

After putting together a strong first half in the Class 1A state championship with Wapsie Valley, the Golden Bears were unable to find their rhythm, falling 65-53 inside Wells Fargo Arena.

In the finals for the first time in school history, Bishop Garrigan (24-3 overall) ended one of the more memorable runs the program has experienced with its highest finish to date.

Seniors Cade Winkel, Andrew Arndorfer, John Joyce, Cameron Baade and Marcus Plathe were part of 76 wins over the past four years, two trips to state and a conference title.

“Playing with this team one final time was amazing,” Arndorfer said. “I wouldn’t trade my teammates for anything. I love each one of them.

“What a season it was. Thanks to all the coaches and fans for all the support.”

Plathe led the way, scoring 16 points, while junior Angelo Winkel recorded his third double-double of the week with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Winkel was named the captain of the all-tournament team, with Joyce joining him.

Garrigan had no answer for Kik Rosengarten, as the Upper Iowa recruit finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds. The victory gave long-time head coach Marty McKowen his 596th career win and first state title in eight trips.

“I’ve loved coaching for all these years,” said McKowen, who is in his 37th season. “To have that happen when I’m older, it is just amazing. I am so excited for the kids and the community.”

The eight-seed entering state after coming out of districts as a No. 4 seed, the Warriors knocked off Lake Mills and Montezuma earlier this week. This is the first boys state title for the school.

“It feels really good to put the cherry on top and bring the first title to Wapsie Valley,” Rosengarten said. “It feels so unexplainable. It still doesn’t seem real.”

Angelo Winkel finished the three games with 53 points and 41 rebounds on 62 percent shooting from the field. He will enter next season with 1,260 career points and 663 rebounds, but minus his brother and the other seniors by his side.

“It’s sad knowing I won’t get to play with him again, but I’ve loved every moment of it,” Winkel said. “All the memories we had I’ll never forget.”

Plathe saved his best for last, recording 16 points with five rebounds and four assists. He had 10 in the first half helping Garrigan get out to a 29-26 lead.

Arndorfer finished with eight points and dished out four assists, hitting a pair of 3-pointers. Joyce added six points and three assists, while Cade Winkel added three points, two assists and a block while battling foul trouble.

“It was an amazing feeling to play in a state final game,” Arndorfer said. “I would love to get back to state in golf this year and win it all with my team (Arndorfer placed fourth as a junior and BGHS was third).”

Like golf, which was cut to one day instead of two, the state finals on Friday were played under different conditions. The Iowa High School Athletic Association elected to complete the tournament, but allow each team just 100 people inside the arena.

“It was cool and weird at the same time,” Angelo Winkel said. “Once the game started, though, it felt normal.”

Over the final 16 minutes, Wapsie Valley outscored Bishop Garrigan 39-24, including a 23-15 closing quarter. Bellis had nine of his 16 in the fourth and Gunner Meyer scored all 13 of his points in the second half.

Cade Winkel will continue his basketball career in the fall at Briar Cliff University, Joyce is headed to Coe College and Arndorfer will join Winkel at BCU as part of the golf team.

Rosengarten and Meyer, along with Montezuma’s Trey Shearer, completed the all-tournament squad.

WAPSIE VALLEY 65, BISHOP GARRIGAN 53

Bishop Garrigan — Cade Winkel 1-5 1-2 3, Andrew Arndorfer 3-9 0-0 8, John Joyce 3-6 0-0 6, Marcus Plathe 7-8 1-2 16, Angelo Winkel 7-14 1-1 15, Cameron Baade 1-3 0-0 3, Kyle Schaaf 1-5 0-0 2. Totals: 23-50 3-5 53.

Wapsie Valley — Blayde Bellis 4-11 7-9 16, Kobe Risse 3-3 4-4 10, Tyler Ott 2-3 0-1 5, Kiks Rosengarten 9-15 2-4 21, Gunner Meyer 4-9 2-4 13, Johnny Kerns 0-0 0-0 0, Dallas Wittenburg 0-0 0-0 0, Brody Stark 0-0 0-0 0, Andrew Westpfahl 0-1 0-0 0, Garrett Barnes 0-0 0-0 0, Parker Landsgard 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 22-42 15-22 65.

Quarter scores: Wapsie Valley led 16-12, Bishop Garrigan led 29-26, Wapsie Valley led 42-38. Three-point goals: Bishop Garrigan 4-17 (Arndorfer 2-7, Baade 1-3, Plathe 1-1, A. Winkel 0-2, Schaaf 0-2, C. Winkel 0-1), Wapsie Valley 6-15 (Meyer 3-6, Bellis 1-5, Ott 1-2, Rosengarten 1-1, Westpfahl 0-1). Total rebounds: Bishop Garrigan 25 (A. Winkel 12), Wapsie Valley 29 (Rosengarten 15). Assists: Bishop Garrigan 12 (Plathe 4), Wapsie Valley 9 (Risse 8). Blocked shots: Bishop Garrigan (A. Winkel, C. Winkel), Wapsie Valley 1 (Rosengarten). Steals: Bishop Garrigan 3 (Arndorfer, Joyce, A. Winkel), Wapsie Valley 4 (Risse 2). Turnovers: Bishop Garrigan 9, Wapsie Valley 8. Points in the paint: Bishop Garrigan 30, Wapsie Valley 26. Points off turnovers: Bishop Garrigan 4, Wapsie Valley 8. Second chance points: Bishop Garrigan 9, Wapsie Valley 7. Fast break points: Bishop Garrigan 8, Wapsie Valley 6.