Audi Crooks scores tournament-record 49 points in Bishop Garrigan's 1A state final victory
The Audi Crooks era ended with a huge bang Saturday.
Top-ranked Bishop Garrigan defeated No. 2 Newell-Fonda, 68-57, in the Class 1A championship game of the girls state basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.
Crooks, an Iowa State recruit, was unstoppable against the Mustangs. She broke her own state tournament single-game scoring record with 49 points to end her legendary career, leading Bishop-Garrigan to back-to-back state championships and four state tournament appearances.
"That's pretty all right, I'd say," Crooks said. "Honestly I had no idea about the record until I heard everybody cheering when the game wasn't even over yet. That when I looked up and was like, oh ... that's what all the fuss is about. I couldn't be happier. It's exactly how I wanted to go out and I'm just really grateful for this team."
The Golden Bears finished with a 26-1 record. Newell-Fonda ended up 24-3.
Here is what we learned from Bishop Garrigan's big championship victory.
Audi Crooks is unstoppable
Crooks was a sight to behold Saturday.
She took full advantage of her 6-foot, 3-inch, powerful frame to completely dismantle an undersized Newell-Fonda front court. Crooks made 21 of 27 shots and pulled down 16 rebounds and blocked three shots.
"They (Newell-Fonda) have some decent athletes and they can jump, but my guards know where to put it," Crooks said. "I can go up and catch just about anything they throw at me. It's partially their accuracy and partially my hands."
She bested her record of 42 points set against Martensdale St. Marys in the quarterfinals.
"She's just a great player," Newell-Fonda's Kierra Jungers said. "She works really well around the rim. We did what we could, but it's really hard to contain."
For her career, Crooks:
Finished as the state's third all-time leading scorer with 2,734 points
Set a new mark for points in a season with 890
Set the all-time record for most points at the state tournament at 332
Set the single-game scoring record with her 49 points in Saturday's title game
Finished with 1,339 career rebounds and 362 blocks
Crooks finished her career a four-time all-tournament selection and two-time 1A captain. She averaged 33 points, by far the most in the state, and 14.2 rebounds during her senior season.
With all of those state records and two state championships. Crooks can proudly ride off into the sunset at Bishop Garrigan as an all-time great.
"My career has been nothing short of amazing," Crooks said. "That's not just because of me. It's my team, the work we've put in and the culture we've built at Bishop Garrigan. I couldn't be prouder to be part of this program. For most people this (state) is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I got to do this four times and we have two championships under our belt."
Audi Crooks doesn't do it alone
Though Crooks was clearly the star on Saturday, her teammates played a huge role.
They did a tremendous job feeding her the ball and helping out with key rebounds, made shots and defensive stops to help Bishop Garrigan keep out in front of a gritty Newell-Fonda team.
Abbie Capesius had 12 rebounds and five assists. Zoe Montag, Ashlyn Hovey and Emmi Bartolo each had one assist and Bartolo added 5 points and Montag 3.
Senior point guard Molly Joyce especially stood out for the Golden Bears. She posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
"Molly and I have had a special relationship on and off the court ever since we started playing AAU together," Crooks said. "We just have that connection and that translates on the court. Not many players can make the passes she makes. She knows where I'm going to be, I know where she's going to be and it's just poetry in motion."
Joyce showed amazing chemistry with Crooks, especially on the lob pass.
"It's been awesome getting to play with a player as great as her," Joyce said. "We've been playing together since seventh grade and we work together really well. It's been a fun four years."
Newell-Fonda puts up a great fight
Newell-Fonda showed why it has one of the top female sports programs in the state with an outstanding showing at the state tournament.
Despite being overmatched by Croooks inside, the Mustangs hung right with Bishop Garrigan until the final three minutes.
"We knew it was going to be a battle," Newell-Fonda senior Mary Walker said. "We played Mustang basketball, unfortunately it didn't turn out our way. This season was so fun and I'm just so happy to be part of this program."
Mia Walker had 15 points and Mary Walker 11 points and three assists in the championship game. Jungers 7 points and six rebounds, McKenna Sievers 6 points and eight boards and Laney Hogrefe and Emma Erickson 6 points apiece for the Mustangs.
This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Audi Crooks' record night carries Bishop Garrigan to the 1A title
