Forest City used a late flurry to rally past New Hampton 57-54 in a Class 3A boys basketball district championship game Thursday night in Mason City.
New Hampton held a 43-40 lead heading into the fourth quarter, but the Indians outscored the Chickasaws 17-11 in the final eight minutes for the win.
New Hampton was led by Nathan Nicolaisen's 17 points. Judd Landers added nine, all in the second half, while Garrett Hogeland, Kelly Larkin and Kyle Hackman each had eight.
"You can't play any harder than we played," New Hampton coach John Joachim said. "Turnovers killed us, but man, the effort was there. That's what you ask for, that's what the kids gave us."
New Hampton finished the year 12-11 while Forest City imporved to 20-3. The Indians will play Waverly-Shell Rock, which upset Charles City on Thursday, in the substate final on Monday in Cedar Falls.
- For more on this story, see the March 2 Tribune