Waverly-Shell Rock's fifth-straight appearance at the Boys State State Basketball Tournament ended sooner than it expected Tuesday night (March 10, 2015).

The second-seeded Go-Hawks (22-3) couldn't avoid being upset by No. 7 seed Dubuque Wahlert (16-9), which eliminated the Go-Hawks from championship contention with solid play down the stretch. The Golden Eagles won the Class-3A quarterfinal, 60-50.

Monday's game featured a match-up between the two teams with the most state tournament appearances in Iowa (all classes). It also pitted the last two state champions against each other. Waverly-Shell Rock won the 3A crown in 2013. Wahlert took the gold hardware home last year.

Waverly-Shell Rock built its largest lead of the game at 19-11 with 4:43 remaining in the second quarter on a three-pointer by Camry Moore. The Go-Hawks appeared to be in control, even with junior center Austin Phyfe on the bench for much of the first-half because of foul trouble.

A three-pointer by Jake Velky gave Waverly-Shell Rock a 22-15 lead with 3:30 in half, but the Go-Hawks couldn't keep their advantage. Wahlert closed the second quarter on a 9-1 run and went to the lockerroom with a 24-23 halftime lead.

Waverly-Shell Rock's last lead was at 33-31 at the 3:06 mark of the third quarter. Nolan Timp's layup 41 seconds later tied the score, but he was fouled on the play and Wahlert took the lead for good on the ensuing free throw.

The Go-Hawks twice had a chance to change the game's momentum in the fourth quarter, but failed to re-take the lead on back-to-back possessions. Trailing 40-39 with 6:29 left to play, Waverly-Shell Rock turned the ball over and missed a layup.

From there, the Golden Eagles put the game away. They made 11-straight free throws down the stretch, while the Go-Hawks went 3-for-5 at the line.

Velky, a senior, scored 19 points in his final game to lead Waverly-Shell Rock. Moore ended the game with 12.

Iowa recruit Cordell Pemsl led Dubuque Wahlert with a double-double, tallying 17 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. He was the only player to score in double-figures for the Golden Eagles.

More From Q98.5