By Al Rabenold
With the start of the IGHSAU girls’ basketball tournaments this week, let’s take a look back to one of the first area teams that made it to state – 92 years ago – in 1931.
The Deep River girls pictured here won their District tournament to advance to State. Back row, left to right, with married names added: Evelyn Dietz King, Harriett Light Kluber, Coach A. W. Collins, Irene Robertson Kline, Leone Yeo Davis. Middle row: Ardis Ross Barnhart, Leota Wolfe Trexler, Helen Johnston Cranston, Roselee Fahrney Spear, Frances Young Newton. Front row: Mary Ellen Collenn Brumley, Imogene Murray Link, Arlene Ross Lee, Evelyn Mohr Bates.
The IGHSAU state basketball tournament was held in the Drake Fieldhouse in 1931 where the locals lost to Aplington in the first round, 19-12. Avoca beat Aplington in the semis and went on to win the title, beating Centerville, 17-15, in the first title game to go into overtime.