Van Meter’s Boese takes sixth place at state, boys hoops escape Nodaway

Sean Cordy
·2 min read
Van Meter's Carter Durflinger looks to shoot a three-pointer during the postseason opener against Nodaway Valley on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023.
Van Meter's Carter Durflinger looks to shoot a three-pointer during the postseason opener against Nodaway Valley on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023.

Just when the doors started to close for the winter sports season, the Bulldogs managed to keep the door propped open. (Note: Events covered Feb. 13-19)

Boys Basketball (16-6)

The Bulldogs’ season looked to be on the ropes during Friday’s postseason opener hosting Nodaway Valley (14-9). But despite a tough path, Van Meter escaped with a 64-61 win to advance to the regional semifinals.

Down 19-10 after the first quarter, the odds were stacked against Van Meter from advancing to the next round — the Bulldogs lost the past three games this season when trailing by at least five points in the first quarter.

The turnaround didn’t happen magically, either. It took the whole second half to lock up the win on the back of Carter Durflinger’s 22 points and three steals. He was particularly efficient from long range, making 4-of-7 three-pointers. Skyler Yazzie was also heavily involved, grabbing 13 points and five rebounds.

Beyond those two, the whole team was focused on making quality shots. Eight players made at least one field goal. And in total, the team shot 51 percent from the floor — the fourth time this season that the team has made more than half its shots.

Van Meter’s Jackson Boese celebrates after defeating Clarinda’s Karson Downey in overtime at 182 pounds during the Class 2A quarterfinals of the Iowa high school state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.
Van Meter’s Jackson Boese celebrates after defeating Clarinda’s Karson Downey in overtime at 182 pounds during the Class 2A quarterfinals of the Iowa high school state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

Boys Wrestling

Van Meter walked into the Wells Fargo Arena with two Bulldogs on the mat and left with one medalist at this year’s state championships held from Feb. 15-18.

Jackson Boese (182 pounds) came into the tournament as the fifth seed and received a bye to begin his journey to sixth place in his division.

Van Meter’s coaches celebrate Jackson Boese defeating Clarinda’s Karson Downey in overtime at 182 pounds during the Class 2A quarterfinals of the Iowa high school state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.
Van Meter’s coaches celebrate Jackson Boese defeating Clarinda’s Karson Downey in overtime at 182 pounds during the Class 2A quarterfinals of the Iowa high school state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

After cleaning up his first two opponents with a 9-5 decision and a 6-2 sudden victory, Boese faced the unstoppable CJ Walrath of Notre Dame-Burlington who finished with a 56-0 record en route to the championship.

Cheering Boese along, Quinn Arellano (106) was also in-competition but had limited time on the mat as he lost his two appearances in the first two days. He wrapped his state-qualifying campaign with a 30-16 overall record.

Van Meter's Quinn Arellano gets set to wrestle an opponent during the Iowa high school state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.
Van Meter's Quinn Arellano gets set to wrestle an opponent during the Iowa high school state wrestling tournament at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023.

This article originally appeared on Dallas County News: Van Meter’s Boese takes sixth place at state, boys hoops escape Nodaway