I had the chance this week to head to Council Bluffs to watch the A1 Auto MLK Classic at Abraham Lincoln High School on Martin Luther King day.
The event brought some of the best teams together from Iowa and Nebraska for a great day of basketball.
These 14 teams played some great basketball (with some outstanding games) in front of college coaches and packed gyms.
For many of these teams they had high school games the next night on Tuesday. I commend the teams and the coaches that stepped up in competition to give their kids a memorable experience. They had the courage to not duck a tough game, because they may be worried about their high school seeding and having a game the next night.
The event delivered some great memories for these young men. The Westside (NE) vs Storm Lake (IA) game went into triple overtime.
It was ONE of the BEST high school basketball games I have seen in years, and it was a state tourney type atmosphere.
Storm Lake won the thrilling game and Jaidyn Coon (Creighton Signee) did not disappoint the Bluejay fans or the Creighton Coaches who were on hand to watch who came across the river to see him play with 37 points and 15 rebounds in the 99-97 win.
What a game it was to watch and what a great experience for the young men from both teams (Westside came up just short in a game that it was a shame anyone had to lose).
It was a charged atmosphere, and a big shout-out to both teams for stepping up and putting on a show for the fans. I also wanted to give a shout out the officiating crew as they were top notch in this game and all day.
Lewis Central and Decorah played a great game that went down to the wire to start the event.
Decorah traveled 310 miles across the state to challenge themselves and played a great game for the fans.
Kudos to their coaches and the Decorah administration to allow those young men to challenge themselves and play a great CB Lewis team.
Waukee Northwest won 70-68 against Millard North (NE) in a game that brought in a lot of Nebraska fans and Coaches Fred Hoiberg and Nate Loenser to watch Nebraska signee Colin Rice. Northwest also has an Illinois signee Landon Davis leading their team, and Millard North showed grit and why they are one of the best teams in their state in a great game.
Events like the MLK Classic are great for Iowa High School Basketball
Today the competition for eyeballs and attention is harder than ever, and events like these showcase the young men and coaches putting in all that work and highlight basketball in the state.
The event organizers were fantastic and the Abraham Lincoln High School staff and volunteers were huge putting on a great show. I have no idea where A1 One Auto Sales is located, but their sponsorship makes me want to buy a future car from them.
It was just a great event, and we need more like them in the state of Iowa for boys and girls basketball. Bringing the best teams in two states together for a great day of ball was awesome.
P.S. The Great Coverage by Midwest Sports+ should be commended as their feed was fantastic if you could not get there in person. They do a great job of covering Western Iowa teams.
As always, we appreciate your support and comments.
