Central Lyon Beats Newell-Fonda For 1A Title

Kori Schulte scored 15 points and hit five key free throws late in the game to help Central Lyon beat Newell-Fonda 63-61 on Friday to win the Class 1A state championship.

Lexi Ackerman added 12 points and her twin sister, Kelsey, scored 11 for the top-ranked Lions (26-2), who claimed the title in their first appearance in the state tournament. But it wasn't easy.

Central Lyon built a 15-point lead early in the fourth quarter, then had to hold off a furious charge by No. 2 Newell-Fonda (24-3), which lost in the state finals for the fourth time and is still looking for its first championship.

Newell-Fonda three times cut the lead to a single point, but the team couldn't make the shot it needed to get the lead.

Renee Maneman led Newell-Fonda with 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. Claudia Larsen and Andrea Christensen each scored 12 points and Tailer Schrank added 11.