Future bright for North Scott boys despite substate final loss to Prairie

CEDAR RAPIDS — A 59-54 defeat to Prairie in Tuesday night’s Class 4A Substate 6 Championship denied North Scott its first state berth since 2020, yet head coach Shamus Budde believes the program’s trajectory remains pointed skyward. The back-and-forth contest at Prairie High School saw the Lancers within striking distance until the final buzzer, but clutch possessions down the stretch tilted the Hawks’ way.

Josiah Harrington repeatedly attacked the baseline, creating offense after shaking Prairie defender David Fason, while Vasaun Wilmington navigated heavy traffic against Cayden Larson on the wing. Their efforts kept North Scott within a single possession for much of the fourth quarter. Budde, directing from the sideline throughout, praised his team’s fight afterward and emphasized the experience gained by a roster that will return a strong nucleus next winter.

Although the loss ends the 2024-25 campaign, the Lancers’ competitive showing against a battle-tested Prairie squad reinforced internal belief that the program’s next breakthrough is near. With memories of Tuesday’s heartbreak serving as fuel, North Scott enters the offseason confident the gap to a trophy has never been narrower.