Spartans seek return to semis

 DES MOINES -- If Exira-Elk Horn-Kimballton defeated Newell-Fonda on Monday, the Spartans will play in Thursday’s Class 1-A semifinals at the Girls State Basketball Tournament.
 The 2nd-ranked Spartans (23-0) faced the No. 7 Mustangs (18-6) in Monday’s quarterfinal round at Wells Fargo Arena. The winner will play either No. 3 Springville (23-1) or No. 6 Kingsley-Pierson (21-2) on Thursday at 11:45 a.m. The top half of the 1-A bracket includes No. 1 Turkey Valley, Mount Ayr, No. 4 Burlington Notre Dame and No. 5 Kee. The 1-A championship game will be played Friday at 6:00 p.m.
 Exira-EHK is making its second consecutive state tourney appearance after reaching the 1-A semifinals in 2015. Newell-Fonda is the defending 1-A state champion after placing second the previous two years.