Back-to-back undefeated champs

The Wolverines, now 19-1 overall and ranked fourth in Class 2A by the Associated Press, completed back-to-back 16-0 Pride of Iowa seasons as champion, with 34 consecutive league wins dating back to 2011.

Interstate 35 topped Martensdale-St. Marys 80-65 and finished second with a 15-1 league mark, with Pleasantville and Mount Ayr following at 12-4 and 11-5.

The five years that Nodaway Valley didn’t win it in the past 17 years, the Wolverines were runner-up.

“This is a very dedicated team that wrapped up another undefeated POI championship,” coach Darrell Burmeister said. “I-35 continued to win and finished at 15-5. Our guys kept their focus and were ready to play each night.”

There certainly wasn’t any lag in getting started Tuesday, as the Wolverines raced to a 25-3 first-quarter lead. The margin reached 42-12 at halftime with the running clock mercy rule taking effect in the fourth quarter.

Point guard Brad Baudler shot 9-of-13 from the field in scoring 22 points along with five rebounds and four assists. Dean Frank contributed 11 points, six steals and four rebounds. T.J. Bower finished with 11 points and three steals. Jackson Lamb, Tim Hansen and Zach Plymesser provided 12 points off the bench.

Kolten Sefrit scored 13 points to lead Bedford, which finishes 7-9 in league play.

Nodaway Valley finishes the regular season at home Friday against a quality opponent from the Hawkeye 10 Conference. Carroll Kuemper Catholic is 12-7 overall and owns victories over Class 3A second-ranked Atlantic and fifth-ranked Creston.

NODAWAY VALLEY (67) — Brad Baudler 9 2-4 22, Dean Frank 5 1-2 11, T.J. Bower 4 3-3 11, Alex Welsch 3 2-2 8, Tim Hansen 2 1-1 5, Jackson Lamb 2 0-0 5, Dan Ehrsam 1 0-0 3, Zach Plymesser 0 2-2 2. Totals — 26 11-14 67. 3-point goals — 4 (Baudler 2, Ehrsam 1, Lamb 1). Rebounds — Baudler 5, Frank 4, Hansen 4, Welsch 4. Assists — Baudler 4, Ehrsam 2. Steals — Frank 6, Bower 3. Blocks — Welsch 4, Frank 2. Turnovers — 13. Team fouls — 9. Fouled out — None.