—Messenger photos by Britt Kudla Players from Newell-Fonda celebrate after coming from behind to beat Bishop Garrigan in the Class 1A state championship game in Des Moines. The Mustangs won their second straight title with a 65-63 victory. For more photos, visit CU at messengernews.net

DES MOINES — Megan Morenz remembers the last time Newell-Fonda suffered a loss.

And as the lone senior on the roster, she made sure her career did not end the same way it did for the Mustangs back in 2018.

Macy Sievers found a cutting Morenz on her way to the basket, banking in the game-winner to complete a comeback for the ages here Saturday night as Newell-Fonda won its second consecutive Class 1A title, 65-63, over Bishop Garrigan.

“For her to hit that shot, what a memorable moment that she’ll never forget,” Newell-Fonda head coach Dick Jungers said of Morenz. “I don’t think the state of Iowa will forget it.

“I know I will never forget it.”

The Mustangs (27-0 overall) have won 54 in a row dating back to a 2018 loss in the title game to Springville. This one, though, was well in question until the end thanks to a record-breaking performance by Audi Crooks.

Crooks, a freshman sensation for the Golden Bears, scored a game-high 34 points and grabbed 17 rebounds. The daughter of Fort Dodge Senior High graduate Jimmie Crooks and former Garrigan standout Michelle (Vitzthum) Cook, broke the single-season scoring record of Elle Ruffridge for a ninth-grader.

The Golden Bears (25-2) appeared well on their way to the first state title in school history behind Crooks. A five-point halftime lead grew to 16 thanks to a 21-10 third quarter run.

Crooks had 23 and nine at the break and scored seven more during the third.

Foul trouble, though, started to creep into the game. Crooks picked up her third during the quarter and fellow freshman Molly Joyce was hit with a fourth.

With just over six minutes to go, Joyce fouled out, taking away one of the main ballhandlers against the Newell-Fonda press. She finished with 12 points and five assists, joining Crooks — named the captain — on the all-tournament team.

The Mustangs took advantage, scoring 14 of the first 16 fourth quarter points to cut the deficit to two with four to go. Kaylyn Meyers ended the run with a contested 3-pointer, but would also foul out with under two to play.

“Over the years, we’ve had some dynamic games,” Jungers said. “But never at this level.

“I’ve had a lot of great teams and a lot of great players in our program, and these guys, they’re something special.”

Maggie Walker, an all-tourney pick alongside N-F teammates Ella Larsen and Macy Sievers, put her team up 61-60 with a jumper. The junior was just 1-for-11 when she calmly knocked down the free-throw line shot.

Meyers made a pair of free throws to give Garrigan a 63-62 advantage before fouling out. Bailey Sievers sank a shot from the line to tie it with 90 seconds to go.

The Golden Bears missed two shots and had two turnovers in the final 1:24 of the game, allowing the Mustangs to win their third state title under Jungers.

Newell-Fonda has reached the state finals nine times in all, as Jungers is now 393-68 in 18 seasons.

Jungers also gave credit to his lone senior, saying of Morenz, “hats off to her.”

“She stuck with it,” he added. “A hard-working kid. Big situations never bother her and she always plays hard.”

Macy Sievers had a team-high 25 points for the Mustangs, including 20 in the second half. Morenz scored 14 and Larsen added 12 with six rebounds.

Crooks finished her first state tournament with 76 points and 45 rebounds. She recorded 20 double-doubles this year, including all three games this week.

Katie Noonan, one of six seniors on the Garrigan roster, had seven assists, with Meyers finishing with 11 points. Madison Meister, also a senior, added six points.

The other seniors for the Golden Bears are Jenna Heinen, Emma Fogarty, Emma Hamilton and Amanda Miller.

NEWELL-FONDA 65, BISHOP GARRIGAN 63

Newell-Fonda — Bailey Sievers 0-4 5-7 5, Macy Sievers 8-11 7-9 25, Maggie Walker 2-12 2-2 6, Megan Morenz 5-12 4-7 14, Ella Larsen 4-11 2-2 12, Mary Walker 0-2 0-0 0, Mia Walker 0-0 0-0 0, Nevaeh Lyman 0-0 0-0 0, Laney Hogrefe 0-0 0-0 0, Ellie Lago 1-4 0-0 3. Totals: 20-56 20-27 65.

Bishop Garrigan — Katie Noonan 0-2 0-0 0, Madison Meister 2-3 2-3 6, Molly Joyce 3-5 4-4 12, Kaylyn Meyers 2-8 6-7 11, Audi Crooks 16-23 2-6 34, Emma Fogarty 0-0 0-0 0, Gracie Elsbecker 0-2 0-0 0, Amanda Miller 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 23-43 14-20.

Quarter scores: Tued 18-18; Bishop Garrigan led 32-30, 53-40. Three-point goals: Newell-Fonda 5-30 (M. Sievers 2, Larsen 2, Lago); Bishop Garrigan 3-7 (Meyers, Joyce 2). Total rebounds: Newell-Fonda 24 (Larsen 6); Bishop Garrigan 38 (Crooks 17). Assists: Newell-Fonda 11 (M. Sievers, Mag. Walker 3); Bishop Garrigan 17 (Noonan 7). Steals: Newell-Fonda 19 (Larsen 5); Bishop Garrigan 12 (Noonan, Meyers 3). Points in the paint: Newell-Fonda 24, Bishop Garrigan 36. Points off turnovers: Newell-Fonda 40, Bishop Garrigan 13. Second chance points: Newell-Fonda 10, Bishop Garrigan 12. Fast break points: Newell-Fonda 8, Bishop Garrigan 6.