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Norwalk Today
By the People, for the People
Iowa High School Player Scores 8 Points in 6 Seconds to Win Tournament Game
Dallas Center-Grimes sophomore Ava Smid's whirlwind performance led her team to victory in the final seconds.
Published on Mar. 8, 2026
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An Iowa high school basketball player named Ava Smid scored 8 points in just 6 seconds to lead her Dallas Center-Grimes team to victory over Norwalk High in the Iowa Class 4A tournament. Smid's late-game heroics, which included a pair of quick baskets and steals, turned a deficit into a lead with 19 seconds left on the clock.
Why it matters
Smid's clutch performance in the final minute of the tournament game showcases the excitement and unpredictability of high school basketball, where a single player can completely shift the momentum of a game in a matter of seconds. Her ability to capitalize on defensive stops and quickly convert them into points exemplifies the skill and athleticism of top high school players.
The details
With 40 seconds left in the game and Norwalk leading, Smid scored a basket to cut the deficit to 2 points. She then proceeded to score 6 more points in the next 6 seconds, including a pair of steals that she converted into layups, to give Dallas Center-Grimes the lead with just 19 seconds remaining. Smid finished the game with 16 points, 6 steals, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.
- With 40 seconds left in the game, Smid scored a basket to cut Norwalk's lead to 2 points.
- In the next 6 seconds, Smid scored 6 more points to give Dallas Center-Grimes the lead with 19 seconds remaining.
The players
Ava Smid
A sophomore basketball player at Dallas Center-Grimes High School who scored 8 points in 6 seconds to lead her team to victory in the Iowa Class 4A tournament.
Dallas Center-Grimes High School
The high school team that Ava Smid plays for, which will advance to the state title game after her clutch performance.
Norwalk High School
The opposing team that Dallas Center-Grimes defeated in the tournament game.
What they’re saying
“We never had a doubt that we were gonna (win) this game.”
— Ava Smid
“I was just guarding. You don't want to let them get the ball in bounds. I was able to get some deflections and some steals and then I was able to translate them to buckets.”
— Ava Smid
What’s next
Smid and Dallas Center-Grimes High School will play for the state title against No. 5 seed Carlisle on Saturday.
The takeaway
Ava Smid's incredible 8-point scoring outburst in just 6 seconds showcased her athleticism, court awareness, and clutch performance under pressure, leading her team to victory and a spot in the state championship game.
