Bettendorf punches ticket to state; defeats Central 54-49

Bettendorf's senior point guard Charlie Schwartz shoots a freethrow late in the fourth quarter against the Davenport Central Blue Devils.


The Bulldogs survived some shaky freethrow shooting in the final minutes, but managed to hang on to defeat Davenport Central 54-49 in the substate final Tuesday night (3/6).

Bettendorf will play Iowa City West in the first round of the state tourney next Wednesday (3/14) in Des Moines.

The Bulldogs got 18 points from senior center Joe Speth and 11 from Schwartz. Bettendorf came out after the half to take a 13-point lead in the third period, but Central behind E.J. Hicks and Hal Bateman fought within three in the closing minutes.

A series of missed one-and-one freethrow opportunities down the stretch enabled the Blue Devils to climb back in the contest.

Davenport Central, MAC champions, split the regular season contests with the Bulldogs, each winning on their home courts. The substate final was held at the Pleasant Valley gymnasium and was a sell-out with many turned away at the door.

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