Renee Maneman's passing
and solid all-around play keyed another state tournament victory for
Newell-Fonda.
Maneman tied the tournament record with 13 assists and
teammates Claudia Larson and Hailey Falline each
scored 16 points as the top-ranked Mustangs rolled past Bedford 73-37 to reach
the Class 1A semifinals.
Maneman also had 13 points, seven steals and six rebounds
as part of an impressive performance by the Mustangs, whose sharp passing
created numerous open shots. Of their 32 field goals, 26 came on assists.
Newell-Fonda
also came up with 15 steals and no starter played more than 21 minutes. Maneman left the game shortly after tying the assist record
with a pass to Brianna Wells, who made a 3-pointer with 7:19 left. Wells
finished with 10 points.
Maneman now shares the assists record with Cedar Rapids
Jefferson's Tara Hupfeld, who did it against Solon in
1993, and Davenport Assumption's Gabbi Binion, who had 13 against Unity Christian in 2008.
Emily Weed led Bedford with 12 points and
Fallyn Beemer scored nine.
Newell-Fonda
will take a 23-2 record into a semifinal game against fourth-ranked Colo-NESCO at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Mustangs are in the
tournament for the fourth time in the last five years and are seeking their
first title after runner-up finishes in 1997, 2000, 2008 and last year.
Bedford,
which made it to state for the third in in four
years, finishes 17-8.