—Messenger photo by Britt Kudla NEWELL-FONDA PLAYERS CELEBRATE after beating Montezuma to advance to the Class 1A championship game. For more photos, visit CU at messengernews.net

DES MOINES — The Newell-Fonda seniors have finished each of their four seasons in the state championship game.

On Saturday night, the second-ranked Mustangs will try to make it three consecutive titles during that time after rolling past Montezuma here Friday evening in the Class 1A semifinals, 73-34.

Newell-Fonda (25-1 overall) faces Bishop Garrigan in a rematch of the 2020 championship thriller that saw them overcome a double-digit deficit to win. During the regular season, the No. 2 Golden Bears earned a 66-45 victory over the Mustangs.

Bailey Sievers led four players in double figures with 15 points, adding four steals and four assists. Macy Sievers and Mary Walker each had 12 with Maggie Walker adding 11 points.

Ella Larsen chipped in five points and eight rebounds.

“It is such an incredible feeling to get to play in another championship game,” Bailey Sievers said. “My teammates have made this season so much fun. We set the pace of the game right away.

“We know what we need to do to get into our groove.”

All 15 players who suited up for Newell-Fonda played at least three minutes each with 10 scoring at least two points each.

The Mustangs scored 32 points off 25 Montezuma (23-2) turnovers, recording 17 steals. They also outscored the Bravettes 24-0 on fast break points and held a plus-34 advantage on points in the paint.

“We are so excited to be given this opportunity,” Sievers said. “All of our hard work and dedication has paid off.”

Elise Boulton led Montezuma with nine points while Kierstyn Price added seven. The Bravettes shot just 4-for-19 from the field in the opening half, scoring 10 of their 20 points at the free throw line.

The Mustangs have reached the finals nine times since 1997, claiming three titles during that span.

Bishop Garrigan held Newell-Fonda to its lowest point total this season, and the 45 points scored were the fewest by the team since posting 49 on Nov. 20, 2018 in a win over Spirit Lake.

Asked about the rematch coming under the bright lights, Mustang head coach Dick Jungers gave as honest as answer as one could expect.

“Is this the matchup that were hoping to get? Absolutely,” Jungers said. “Both teams found their way back to the game so we are looking forward to that opportunity.”

Tip is set for 6:30 p.m. with the game airing live on Iowa PBS and live-streamed on Facebook, Twitter, the PBS video app and iowapbs.org.

NEWELL-FONDA 73, MONTEZUMA 34

Newell-Fonda — Bailey Sievers 6-9 2-5 15, Macy Sievers 6-9 0-0 12, Maggie Walker 4-9 1-1 11, Ella Larsen 2-5 0-0 5, Ellie Lago 1-2 0-0 3, Anna Bellcock 0-1 0-0 0, Mary Walker 5-11 1-2 12, McKenna Sievers 0-1 0-0 0, Nevaeh Lyman 0-0 0-0 0, Laney Hogrefe 1-4 0-1 2, Kierra Jungers 3-5 0-0 6, Isabel Bartek 2-6 0-0 4, Audrey Kosky 0-1 0-0 0, Paige Roberts 1-3 0-0 3, Emma Erickson 0-1 0-0 0. Totals: 31-67 4-9 73.

Montezuma — Shanae Wetering 1-9 1-2 3, Kierstyn Price 2-5 2-2 7, Mia Boulton 1-9 2-2 5, Elise Boulton 3-6 1-3 9, Dylan Holland 1-5 2-2 4, Madison Johannes 0-0 1-1 1, Jadyn Sharer 0-3 3-4 3, Alyssa Cline 0-0 0-0 0, Jordan Ranfeld 0-0 0-0 0, Alivia Cline 0-0 0-0 0, Abby Cheney 0-0 0-0 0, Laila Kercheval 0-0 0-0 0, Kallie Robison 1-1 0-0 2, Korrinn Kehoe 0-0 0-0 0. Totals: 9-38 12-18 34.

Quarter scores: Newell-Fonda led 28-10, 42-20, 59-23. Three-point goals: Newell-Fonda 7-31 (B. Sievers 1-2, Ma. Sievers 0-2, Mag. Walker 2-6, Larsen 1-3, Lago 1-2, Bellcock 0-1, Mar. Walker 1-5, Mc. Sievers 0-1), Jungers 0-1, Bartek 0-3, Kosky 0-1, Roberts 1-3, Erickson 0-1), Montezuma 4-14 (Wetering 0-2, Price 1-2, M. Boulton 1-8, E. Boulton 2-2). Rebounds: Newell-Fonda 36, Montezuma 32. Assists: Newell-Fonda 20, Montezuma 6. Blocked shots: Newell-Fonda 3, Montezuma 0. Steals: Newell-Fonda 17, Montezuma 4. Turnovers: Newell-Fonda 8, Montezuma 25. Fouls: Newell-Fonda 18, Montezuma 10.