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It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always

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Home Care In Dike, IA

Home Care Dike, IA

They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.

However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Harry S Truman National Historic Site gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.

Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Dike, IA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.

 In-Home Care Dike, IA

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The Always Best Care Difference

Since 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.

Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.

The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.

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TESTIMONIALS

“Always Best is OK but doesn’t seem to make up hours very well. When the caregiver is sick, nobody comes. I would think that they need a little more back up than they have right now. They give me a schedule, and billing is paid by Medicaid.”

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TESTIMONIALS

“I knew a lady who works for Always Best Health Care that's why I chose it. The caregiver is very good with a very good attitude. They were able to provide the caregiver for myself immediately. She accompanies me to shopping.”

Carol64210350

What is Non-Medical Senior Care in Dike, IA?

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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.

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When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.

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The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.

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At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.

 Senior Care Dike, IA

Types of Elderly Care in Dike, IA

To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:

Personal Care

Personal Care Services

If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.

Common personal care services include assistance with:

  • Eating
  • Mobility Issues
  • Incontinence
  • Bathing
  • Dressing
  • Grooming

Respite Care Dike, IA
Home Helper

Home Helper Services

Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.

Common home helper care services include assistance with:

  • Medication Reminders
  • Meal Preparation
  • Pet Care
  • Prescription Refills
  • Morning Wake-Up
  • Walking
  • Reading
 Caregivers Dike, IA
Companionship Services

Companionship Services

Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting J.H. Roadman Memorial Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.

Common companionship services include:

  • Grocery Shopping
  • Transportation to Appointments
  • Nutritional Assistance
  • Conversation
  • Planning Outings
  • Completing Errands
  • Transportation to Community
  • Events and Social Outings
Home Care Dike, IA
Respite Care

Respite Care Services

According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Slice or visit Derby Dike, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.

At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.

If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.

 In-Home Care Dike, IA

Benefits of Home Care in Dike, IA

Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:

Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.

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Aging in Place: The Preferred Choice for Most Seniors

While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.

In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.

Here are just a few of the reasons why older men and women prefer to age at home:

How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?

A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.

With the help of elderly care in Dike, IA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.

Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.

Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.

For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.

More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.

In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.

With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.

 Elderly Care Dike, IA

Affordable Care

In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.

Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.

At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.

In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:

If your loved one qualifies, Medicaid may help reduce in-home care costs. Review your IA's Medicaid program laws and benefits, and make sure your senior's financial and medical needs meet Medicaid eligibility requirements.
Attendance and aid benefits through military service can cover a portion of the costs associated with in-home care for veterans and their spouses.
Many senior care services like in-home care are included in long-term care insurance options. Research different long-term care solutions to find a plan that provides coverage for senior care.
Home care can be included as part of a senior's private insurance plan. Read over your loved one's insurance policy carefully or speak with their insurance provider to determine if in-home care is covered.
Depending on the life insurance plan, you may be able to apply your policy toward long-term care. You may be able to use long-term-care coverage to help pay for in-home elderly care.
 Senior Care Dike, IA

Compassionate Care. Trusted Caregivers.

When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.

Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.

At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Dike, IA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.

Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.

Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.

Assisted Living Referral Services

While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.

Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.


Respite Care Dike, IA

At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.

Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:

  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Recreational Activities
  • Social Outings
  • Emergency Medical Response
  • Medication Monitoring
  • Family Visitation
  • Personal Care
 Caregivers Dike, IA

At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.

Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.

Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:

  • Lakeview Lodge Assisted Living at Friendship Village
  • Arlington Place at Grundy Center
  • Bickford of Cedar Falls
  • Windhaven Assisted Living Center
  • Birdee Cottage Assisted Living & Memory Care
  • Edencrest at Green Meadows
Home Care Dike, IA

For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.

 In-Home Care Dike, IA

Taking the First Step with Always Best Care

The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:

A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way

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A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive

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Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider

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Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.

If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.

At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Dike, IA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.

When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.

 Elderly Care Dike, IA

Latest News in Dike, IA

Top 10 college recruits at the Iowa high school volleyball state tournament

The Iowa high school volleyball state tournament will be held Monday through Thursday in Coralville. Game-winning plays will be made, teams will hoist trophies and honor will be bestowed upon towns across the state.But who are the ones making those plays?Below is a list of 10 of the best recruits in the state tournament. They will be a part of state title runs before going on to play at the next level.Bliss Beck, Clear Creek AmanaSenior. The Drake commit is one of the most fearsome middle hitters ...

The Iowa high school volleyball state tournament will be held Monday through Thursday in Coralville. Game-winning plays will be made, teams will hoist trophies and honor will be bestowed upon towns across the state.

But who are the ones making those plays?

Below is a list of 10 of the best recruits in the state tournament. They will be a part of state title runs before going on to play at the next level.

Bliss Beck, Clear Creek Amana

Senior. The Drake commit is one of the most fearsome middle hitters of the state, averaging 3.8 kills and 1.1 blocks per set. She leads a Clippers team that is 45-0 and has lost only four sets this season.

Bailey Boeve, Hinton

Sophomore. Boeve is the definition of a do-it-all player. Leading the team with 4.3 kills per set, she's also the state's leader in blocks with 2.4 per set. Behind her, the Blackhawks have lost only one match the entire season.

Mackenzie Dean, Dowling Catholic

Senior. The Kansas Jayhawks have a star heading to Lawrence after her high school career ends. The outside hitter is averaging 4.3 kills and 1.5 digs per set and has the Maroons as the early favorite heading into the 5A tournament.

Isabelle Elliot, Sumner-Fredericksburg

Senior. She'll be heading to Northern Iowa after high school, but for now Elliot leads a dark-horse contender in the 2A class. The future Panther is averaging 5.2 kills and 2.3 digs per set for a team looking to give Dike-New Hartford its first loss.

Abbey Hayes, North Scott

Junior. The future Creighton Bluejay leads a tough Lancer squad, averaging 3.4 kills and 2.4 digs per set. North Scott is seeded No. 4 in 4A.

Chloe Meester, Mount Vernon

Junior. The first of two Louisville commits on this list, Meester is one of the state's leaders in kills per set with 5.2. She's a great defender as well in posting 3.2 digs per set. The Mustangs are a favorite in 3A because of her play from the outside hitter position.

Delaney Miller, Ankeny Centennial

Junior. Miller is one of the lone non-committed players on this list. She headlines an outstanding Ankeny Centennial team. At 4.2 kills and 2.3 digs per set, she ranks No. 4 in the state of Iowa's 2025 class on Prepdig and will be a prize for any college that lands her.

Jadyn Petersen, Dike-New Hartford

Senior. Headed to Northern Iowa to play for her mom, Bobbi Petersen. Jadyn is a leader for arguably the best team in the state. Alongside her twin sister Payton, Jadyn is averaging 3.7 kills and 2.9 digs per set for the Wolverines and their undefeated season.

Payton Petersen, Dike-New Hartford

Senior. Heading to Louisville after this season, Payton is a big reason the Wolverines have lost just one set all year. She is averaging 5.5 kills per set, good for fourth in the state. Her three digs per set also leads the team.

Katie Quick, Ankeny Christian

Junior. Quick won't be heading far when she is done at Ankeny Christian, pledging to play at Drake. She's one of the best setters in Iowa, averaging 8.3 assists, 2.4 digs and a 1.6 aces per set. She does it all for the Eagles as they look for their second state title with Quick on the roster.

Dyersville Beckman tops Dike-New Hartford in Class 2A state baseball quarterfinals

CARROLL — The temperatures were hot.But, Dyersville Beckman’s bats were hotter.The fourth-seeded Blazers scorched No. 5 Dike-New Hartford for 13 hits, claiming a 7-4 victory in the Class 2A state baseball quarterfinals Tuesday at Merchants Park. Beckman won its first state game since winning the 2017 2A title.Every Blazer starter reached base. Matthew Florence led the way with three, while Luke Schieltz, Luke Sigwarth, Owen Huehnergarth and Lane Kramer had two apiece.» ...

CARROLL — The temperatures were hot.

But, Dyersville Beckman’s bats were hotter.

The fourth-seeded Blazers scorched No. 5 Dike-New Hartford for 13 hits, claiming a 7-4 victory in the Class 2A state baseball quarterfinals Tuesday at Merchants Park. Beckman won its first state game since winning the 2017 2A title.

Every Blazer starter reached base. Matthew Florence led the way with three, while Luke Schieltz, Luke Sigwarth, Owen Huehnergarth and Lane Kramer had two apiece.

» State baseball photos: Dyersville Beckman vs. Dike-New Hartford

Beckman got on the board early, capitalizing on a Wolverine miscue. Nate Offerman hustled down the line on a grounder to third and reached when the throw pulled the first baseman off the bag.

The Blazers (25-13) were rewarded for the effort. Sigwarth followed with a double and Offerman scored on Nick Schmidt’s sacrifice fly.

Dike-New Hartford answered the next inning. Colin Meester led off with a single and advanced on a Micah Walston single. Cale McCumber’s RBI groundout tied the game, 1-1.

Beckman didn’t waste time to regain the lead, scoring two in its half of the second.

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Kramer provided an instant boost with a leadoff double. Florence followed with a base hit and Kramer scored when Eli Kluesner reached on a fielder’s choice. Kluesner scored on a wild pitch for a 3-1 edge.

The Wolverines (26-4) clawed back in the fourth, loading the bases with two outs against Schmidt, who started the game. Offerman came in to relieve Schmdit and was greeted by Gus Varney’s RBI single to right, chasing home McCumber and Devon Kollasch and knotting the game at four apiece.

Kollasch also singled and scored on a wild pitch in the sixth.

The Blazers smacked nine hits through the first four innings, including three straight in the two-run fourth.

Schieltz was plunked. Offerman and Sigwarth followed with line-drive singles. Sigwarth’s hit to right drove in Schieltz. Huehnergarth added a flare base hit just beyond the shortstop’s glove to load the bases. Schmidt beat out a double-play attempt to extend the inning and score Offerman. Beckman led 5-3 after four.

The Blazers extended their lead with a two-run fifth. Eli Kluesner doubled and scored on an Offerman fielder’s choice. Huehnergarth’s RBI single drove in Kluesner, who walked.

Sigwarth earned his fifth save in relief.

Beckman advances to Thursday’s semifinals to face the winner between top-seeded and defending state champion Van Meter and Carroll Kuemper.

At 50-0, Dike-New Hartford concludes the state’s first perfect volleyball season in 10 years

Wolverines handle Hinton for the Class 2A volleyball titleJeff Linder CORALVILLE — Where does this team fit?Debate it all you want. The players at Dike-New Hartford will pass.“I don’t know,” Payton Petersen said. “I’ve only been around for 17 years.”Fair enough. Leave it to the experts.But this team did enough to be in the best-of-all-time conversation. Top-ranked Dike-New H...

Wolverines handle Hinton for the Class 2A volleyball title

Jeff Linder

CORALVILLE — Where does this team fit?

Debate it all you want. The players at Dike-New Hartford will pass.

“I don’t know,” Payton Petersen said. “I’ve only been around for 17 years.”

Fair enough. Leave it to the experts.

But this team did enough to be in the best-of-all-time conversation. Top-ranked Dike-New Hartford swept No. 2 Hinton, 25-14, 25-23, 25-16, in the Class 2A state volleyball championship match Thursday afternoon at Xtream Arena.

“I’m just very grateful,” Maryn Bixby said. “We hoped this moment would come.”

Read More: Photos: Dike-New Hartford vs. Hinton in Class 2A state volleyball championship

Dike-New Hartford completed a 50-0 season, dropping only one set along the way. Thirty-two of the Wolverines’ wins came against teams competing here this week.

The final four-year ledger for this senior crew — led by the second set of Petersen twins, plus Bixby — is 181-8 with three 2A championships.

This is the first team to go unbeaten since DNH went 45-0 in 2012 and 2013.

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“It’s been a very focused team, very driven,” said Wolverines Coach Diane Harms. “Their goal was to get back here and finish it off with a championship.”

The Wolverines were upset in last year’s 2A final, by Western Christian.

“I think we definitely learned that we have to finish, have to execute,” Harms said.

And they did it Thursday against a fine Hinton outfit than finished 32-2.

Hinton had an 18-16 lead in the second set before the Wolverines prevailed. Payton Petersen had some big moments in the late push, including a kill that got DNH to set point.

The 25th point came on a missed serve.

Payton Petersen was the all-tournament captain after a 20-kill performance.

Bixby (13 kills) and Jadyn Petersen (nine) also made the honor unit, along with Hinton’s Bailey Boeve and Ashlyn Kovarna, and Grundy Center’s Ellery Luhring and Carlie Willis.

Boeve had 22 kills for the Blackhawks.

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Dike-New Hartford holds off Central Lyon, repeats as Class 2A girls basketball champions

Before the Dike-New Hartford girls basketball team began its quest for a second-straight state title, Wolverines coach Bruce Dall loaded up his schedule. Dall scheduled teams from all across the state and from different classes to make sure his team was ready for what could be another challenging postseason run.“Battle-tested,” Dall said.The Wolverines were indeed tested and ready for a big battle Saturday. Dike-New Hartford repeated as the Class 2A champions with a 59-52 victory over Central Lyon in ...

Before the Dike-New Hartford girls basketball team began its quest for a second-straight state title, Wolverines coach Bruce Dall loaded up his schedule. Dall scheduled teams from all across the state and from different classes to make sure his team was ready for what could be another challenging postseason run.

“Battle-tested,” Dall said.

The Wolverines were indeed tested and ready for a big battle Saturday. Dike-New Hartford repeated as the Class 2A champions with a 59-52 victory over Central Lyon in the finals of the girls state basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena Saturday night. The Wolverines finished the season with a 24-2 mark and another state championship.

“We played a lot of state teams that are here,” Dall said. “We got beat a couple of times, but we learned from it."

It showed Saturday when the Wolverines found themselves in another scrap. Saturday's final included seven ties and 14 lead changes. The two teams were even tied 32-32 at halftime. By the time the fourth quarter rolled around, Dike-New Hartford was clinging to a three point lead.

It didn’t last. Central Lyon tied the game on a 3-pointer by Addison Klosterbuer. But Dike-New Hartford reclaimed the lead on a jumper by Ellary Knock with 6 minutes and 21 seconds left. The Wolverines never looked back. They used a 6-0 run later in the quarter to build up a 58-50 lead that was too much for Central Lyon to overcome.

“We were in it the whole time before that,” said Klosterbuer, who finished with a team-high 19 points.

But Dall believes his team’s experience in the state tournament from a season ago and their challenging schedule this season made them ready for Saturday's challenge. Their regular season, which had just two losses, included a showdown with 1A powerhouse Bishop Garrigan.

Dall insisted the goal wasn’t to go undefeated this season. But to get better.

And get ready.

“If you look at our schedule, you’ll see that it’s pretty tough,” Dall said.

Payton Petersen, who scored the first six points of the game, finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds for Dike-New Hartford. Her twin sister Jadyn Petersen finished with 15 points and 12 rebounds. The Wolverines needed all of them.

“I was honestly getting tired but I knew I had to do it for my teammates, do it for my coaches, do it for everyone that’s helped me in the past how many years,” Payton Petersen said.

Central Lyon finished the season with a 24-2 record. So did Dike-New Hartford, which can now set its sights on a three-peat in 2022-23. Four are also in play for the Petersen sisters who are both sophomores.

But Payton Petersen said she's not worrying about that quite yet.

"Definitely not," she said with a smile.

Tommy Birch, the Register's sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He's the 2018 and 2020 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at [email protected] or 515-284-8468. Follow him on Twitter @TommyBirch.

Iowa high school girls basketball state tournament scores and schedule

CLASS 5AMonday, Feb. 27: First Round#2 Johnston 70, #7 Southeast Polk 48...

CLASS 5A

Monday, Feb. 27: First Round

#2 Johnston 70, #7 Southeast Polk 48

#6 Ankeny Centennial 60, #3 Waterloo West 51

#1 Pleasant Valley 43, #8 West Des Moines Valley 28

#4 Dowling Catholic 52, #5 Davenport North 38

Thursday, March 3: Semifinals

Johnston 42, Ankeny Centennial 35

Pleasant Valley 50, Dowling Catholic 33

Friday, March 3: Championship

#1 Pleasant Valley 59, #2 Johnston 56

CLASS 4A

Tuesday, February 28: First Round

#1 Dallas Center-Grimes 57, #8 Glenwood 39

#4 Ballard 58, #5 Decorah 44

#2 North Polk 61, #7 Clear Creek-Amana 30

#3 Bishop Heelan 63, #6 Cedar Rapids Xavier 37

Thursday, March 2: Semifinals

#1 Dallas Center-Grimes 33, #4 Ballard 32

#2 North Polk 53, #3 Bishop Heelan 41

Saturday, March 5: Championship

#1 Dallas Center-Grimes 57, #2 North Polk 50, OT

How to watch, stream and follow 2023 Iowa high school state girls basketball tournament

CLASS 3A

Monday, Feb. 27: First Round

#8 Vinton-Shellsburg 54, #1 Estherville Lincoln Central 46

#4 Benton Community 40, #5 Des Moines Christian 34

#2 Solon 54, #7 Wahlert Catholic 46

Tuesday, February 28: Quarterfinals

#6 Sioux Center 79, #3 West Marshall 53

Thursday, March 2: Semifinals

Benton Community 51, Vinton-Shellsburg 42

Sioux Center 46, Solon 44

Friday, March 3: Championship

#6 Sioux Center 62, #4 Benton Community 47

What to know if you're going to Iowa high school girls, boys basketball tournaments in Des Moines

CLASS 2A

Tuesday, February 28: Quarterfinals

#1 Dike-New Hartford 68, #8 Aplington-Parkersburg 34

#4 Sibley-Ocheyedan 60, #5 Regina Catholic 39

Wednesday, March 1: Quarterfinals

#2 Central Lyon 66, #7 Panorama 30

#6 Pocahontas Area 47, #3 Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 36

Friday, March 3: Semifinals

Dike-New Hartford 61, Sibley-Ocheyedan 56

Central Lyon 65, Pocahontas Area 44

Saturday, March 4: Championship

Dike-New Hartford 64, Central Lyon 49

More:Where to park in downtown Des Moines for Iowa state high school basketball tournaments

CLASS 1A

Wednesday, March 1: Quarterfinals

#1 Algona Bishop Garrigan 67, #8 Martensdale-St. Marys 44

#4 Remsen St. Mary's 54, #5 West Fork 41

#2 Newell-Fonda 81, #7 Woodbine 60

#3 North Linn 68, #6 Winfield-Mount Union 36

Friday, March 3: Semifinals

#1 Algona Bishop Garrigan 73, #4 Remsen St. Mary's 39

#2 Newell-Fonda 66, #3 North Linn 48

Saturday, March 4: Championship

Algona Bishop Garrigan 68, Newell-Fonda 57

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