Audi Crooks scored a state tournament record 49 points and led Algona-Bishop Garrigan to its second straight Class 1A title with a 68-57 victory over Newell-Fonda, which had deniedthe Golden Bears championships by beating them in the 2020 and 2021 state finals.
Crooks, a 6-foot-3 senior who’ll play at Iowa State next season, made 21 of 27 shots – most after the ball was lobbed to her in the low post – grabbed 16 rebounds, blocked three shots and altered several others. The old record was 48 points by Elle Ruffridge of Pocahontas against Center Point-Urbana in 2017.
The Bishop Garrigan star also shattered the full tournament record, racking up 117 points in her three games. The old mark was 95 by Cedar Rapids Jefferson’s Karen Schulte in 1993.
The Mustangs played great all night long and jumped out to a 13-8 lead at the end of the first quarter but Garrigan scored 25 points in the 2nd quarter and led 33-26 at the half.
Crooks then scored 18 of their 22 points in the 3rd quarter and the lead was bumped to55-46 and the Mustangs would get no closer than eight points the rest of the way.
Mia Walker’s 15 points led Newell-Fonda, which played in the championship game for the 11thtime and has won four titles. Mary Walker added 11 points and Kierra Jungers had seven points and six rebounds. The Mustangs finish another greatseason with a 24-3 record. Garrigan ended the year 26-1.
Crooks finished her career with 2,734 points and 1,339 rebounds, both figures ranking third on the state’s all-time list,she was voted captain of the all-tournament team. She made all-tournament team in each of the four years she played at state.
Mary Walker and Jungers also made the all-tournament team, Walker scored 59 points and grabbed 14 rebounds and Jungers scored 44 points and had 21 rebounds.
The Mustangs graduate four seniors, the Walker twins, Emma Erickson, and Laney Hogrefe.
Click below to hear from coaches Dick Jungers and Kevin Larsen. (photo courtesy of Scott Kilbride)
