PV boys punch ticket to state basketball tourney

The Pleasant Valley Spartans punched their ticket to the state boys basketball tournament Tuesday night (3/6) with a convincing 72-48 win over Burlington.

The 20-3 Spartans stormed out to a 22-8 first quarter advantage and never looked back against the Greyhounds, who finished the season at 16-8.

Pleasants Valley's post players, Seth Hamilton and Eric Heil, had strong performances on the boards and scoring against the smaller Burlington squad. Burlington was a surprise substate finalist, upending MAC champion Muscatine in the second round of the playoffs.

Pleasant Valley finished second in the MAC and ranked seventh in the 4A poll returns to the state tournament after a 12 year hiatus.