Red pride: A-P girls advance to state

FORT DODGE – Aplington-Parkersburg girls basketball escaped a challenge from a motivated Ridge View team for a 62-55 win in a Monday regional final at Fort Dodge Senior High School, advancing to the Class 2A state tournament starting next week.

The Falcons are the seventh seed and will take on undefeated Central Decatur (22-0) in a 2A quarterfinal at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

A-P (23-2) is making its first trip to state since the state semifinalist team of 2013. Parkersburg's 1932 title is the only girls basketball title in the history of the two consolidated school districts.

"This is just an awesome feeling," A-P head coach Jason Berkey said. "These girls have worked extremely hard the last year, year and a half. Summer workouts, getting in the gym to do some extra time, and it's gratifying to see the extra work pay off."

"These seniors are the first group I had as freshmen, and to see the success along the way and all the bumps and bruises, and how we persevered, it was gratifying to see these kids' faces when they made the state tournament. I couldn't be prouder of these young ladies."

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