A new state champion was crowded in Des Moines for 3A boys basketball, and it went to the Dallas Center – Grimes Mustangs, as a pair of huge final plays sealed their fate into the record books with a 56-53 over a great Central DeWitt team. Mustang hoops win their seventh straight game to end the year with a 22-5 record and Central DeWitt concludes their wonderful year with a 20-7 record.

DCG and Central DeWitt were both have to trade blows in the first 16 minutes, as both teams shot well, DCG shooting 13-17 in the first half to take a 32-29 lead. DCG was able to create some distance in the third, as three consecutive threes including a big one from Bo Huston at the end of the quarter gave the Mustangs at 47-38 going into the final quarter.

DCG was in the drivers seat as they had a 52-41 lead after a layup by Jacob Runyan with 6:26 left in the game, but Central DeWitt put together a 11-0 run over the next 5:15, as they were able to take their first lead since early in the third with a bucket plus the foul from Shawn Gilbert with a 1:08 left in the game. The Mustangs badly needed a bucket, and Runyan was able to step up with a creative move through the lane for a layup to help DCG retake the lead with 57 seconds left.

DeWitt held the ball down the stretch, as Tyler Bayliff blocked a DeWitt layup with 9 seconds left. After a throw in, Gilbert looked for a player underneath, but senior Cole Glasgow was able to intercept the pass, get the ball to Runyan who was fouled with 2.5 seconds left. Runyan hit two three throws, both teams traded time outs, and then DeWitt threw a full court pass, Gilbert caught the ball, turned around and missed the final shot sending DCG into euphoria.

Runyan had an unbelievable game, as he was able to put up 31 points on 12-16 shooting and 5-7 from deep. He also added 4 assists. Glasgow and  Huston were both able to chip in with ten points. Gilbert was able to lead the way for the Sabres with 23 points and 6 rebounds.

Mustang basketball shot 62% from the field including 10-17 from three.

This is the 4th different Little Hawkeye Conference team to win the 3A state championship the last four years, Oskaloosa in 2019, Norwalk in 2020, and Pella in 2021. After making the state tournament for the 7th time, DCG not only won their first ever state game, but wow three in an unforgettable week.

An unforgettable game and season for this Mustang team, they say goodbye to 11 seniors including all five starters in the postseason. Dallas Center – Grimes Mustangs boys basketball, Little Hawkeye Conference champions, Substate champions, and now your 2021-22 3A state champions.