Posted Online: March 07, 2013, 8:46 am

Undefeated 'Dogs open state tourney with victory

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DES MOINES, Iowa – The top-seeded Bettendorf High School boys' basketball team kept its perfect season alive Wednesday afternoon with a 62-53 victory over 8th-seeded Urbandale in the Iowa Class 4A state quarterfinals at Wells Fargo Arena.

Dylan Sortillo scored a game-high 19 points to lead the 24-0 Bulldogs, but he had plenty of help. Cole Clearman added 13 points, Nicholas Baer 12, and Kendall Jacks added 10 points. All four of those starters are juniors.

The Bulldogs built a 10-point halftime lead and made it hold up against what first-year head coach Curtis Clark called "a very good team'' that finished with a 17-7 record.

The 6-foot-7 Baer was outstanding inside, grabbing six offensive rebounds for the Bulldogs and 10 total to not only complete the double-double, but lead BHS to a 27-25 edge on the glass. Bettendorf forced Urbandale into 21 turnovers.

The Bulldogs will now face 5th-seeded Cedar Falls (20-4) in Friday's first semifinal at 1:30. Cedar Falls beat 4th-seeded Sioux City North 57-46 in Wednesday's second quarterfinal.