Half of IMS’s four losses came at the hands of conference rival Lone Tree this season, but IMS outscored the Lions 20-4 in the second quarter to take a 21-point halftime lead and cruised in the second half to a 59-35 win.
IMS got the offense going early, establishing what ended up being dominating post-play, getting a combined 29 points from two senior forwards, Johnny Lackender with a game-high 18 and Brian Hagedorn posted 11.
Lone Tree, who was ranked 7th in class 1A, scoring 67.8 points-per-game, was held to a season-low 35. IMS frustrated Lion leading scorer Bryan Forbes (19.1ppg) all night, holding him to nine points including three-of-nine from the free throw line where he shot better than 82% this season.
The Lions were led in scoring by Tyler Gosnell’s 10 second-half points. Peyton Thompson and Chance Miller each added nine for IMS who will play at Prairie-Cedar Rapids against Gladbrook-Reineck who defeated Lynville-Sully 45-42.