Sports, Monday, March 15th

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, March 15th, 2021 at 11:36 am CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Prep Football: Mount Pleasant Moves to 4A, 8-P District Remains Same:

The Mount Pleasant Panther football team is the making the leap to Class 4A this season.

Following the addition of Class 5A, the Panthers were bounced up to Class 4A, where they will compete in District 3.

There, the Panthers will meet up with defending state champion North Scott, Burlington, Clinton, Fort Madison and Iowa City Liberty.

An even 36 teams will play 4A this fall, with six districts with 12 automatic qualifiers (top two per district).

Four at-large teams will be accepted into the Class 4A field, which will be based on RPI.

Each team will play nine regular season games, five district and four non-district games.

In Eight-Player, area teams will play in District #6.

That district will house New London, WACO, Winfield-Mount Union amongst others.

Week One of the 2021 season is scheduled begin Thursday, August 26th.

Women’s College Soccer: Wesleyan Wins Their Second:

Izela Avalos scored two goals, one in the first half and one in the second as the Iowa Wesleyan women’s soccer team picked up their second win of the season in dominant 5-1 fashion over Eureka College, on Saturday.

The Tigers outshot Eureka 27-1 and put 14 shots on goal.

Also scoring for Iowa Wesleyan were Ingryd Lima and Jacqueline Campos.

Now 2-1, the Tigers will take on Westminster tomorrow on the road.

Match time is set for 5:00 p.m.

Men’s College Soccer: Tigers Cap Off Sweep of Eureka:

Francisco Javier Saldana had a hat trick, scoring three goals, while Xavier Lozada had two assists as Iowa Wesleyan throttled Eureka 10-0, Saturday night.

The Tigers had 50 shots, including 21 on goal as they peppered the Eureka nets over and over again.

Saldana finished with 16 shots of his own.

Wesleyan scored three goals in the first 10 minutes of the game.

The win moves the Tigers to 2-0.

They’ll play in the second leg of a SLIAC doubleheader on Tuesday against Westminster, with kickoff set for 7:00 p.m.

College Volleyball: Wesleyan Swept by Fontbonne:

The Iowa Wesleyan volleyball team fell 3-1 and 3-0 in a pair of SLIAC matches to Fontbonne over the weekend, falling to 5-6 on the season.

Malia DaMate led the offensive attack in both matches with eight kills apiece.

Lindsay Fernandez had 25 assists in match one, while coming back in the second to have 16.

Jenna Murphy had 40 digs between the two matches.

The Tigers will be back at home on Wednesday when they take on Westminster.

First serve is set for 7:00 p.m.

Men’s College Basketball: Field of 68 Set:

The NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament field is officially set.

Iowa and Drake are both playing in the West Region along with the top seed in the tournament, Gonzaga.

Iowa, a two-seed, will play Grand Canyon University on Saturday at 5:25 p.m.

Drake is an 11-seed, they’ll meet up with the Shockers of Wichita State at 5:27 p.m. on Thursday in a First Four contest.

The KILJ Bracket Challenge is live as well.

Fill out your bracket and either e-mail it to sports@kilj.com or bring it to the KILJ Studios by Thursday.

 

March 15th – March 21st, 2021

By Theresa Rose · Monday, March 15th, 2021 at 5:23 am CDT

Happy Birthday

03/15/21 – Maurice Hodges

03/16/21 – Lillie Field – 6
03/16/21 – Tim Olson

03/17/21 – Jonathan Ita – 21
03/17/21 – Heather Sharp

03/18/21 – Angie Sotelo
03/18/21 – Eric Sanderson

03/19/21 – Ferneitta Woodall – 92
03/19/21 – Dr. Cyndi Walljasper McWilliams
03/19/21 – Ben Johnson

03/21/21 – Laverne Jacobsmeier – 93  **twin**
03/21/21 – Lorene Fedler – 93  **twin**

03/21/21 – Linda Kramer

03/21/21 – Marlene DePriest

Sports, Saturday, March 13th

By Nathan Bloechl · Saturday, March 13th, 2021 at 4:03 pm CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com

Women’s College Basketball: Wesleyan Women Falter in Second Half; Drop Fourth Straight:

The Iowa Wesleyan women’s basketball team allowed Fontbonne to surge for a 41-24 second half run as the Griffins pulled away for a 71-61 win over Iowa Wesleyan last night at Ruble Arena.

The Tigers, who led by seven at halftime, saw Fontbonne open the second quarter on a 15-5 run eventually leading to a 51-45 lead into the fourth quarter.

Fontbonne turned Wesleyan over six times in third quarter and converted on 5-of-11 shots from three point territory.

Morgan McCrea led Wesleyan with 25 points, while Fontbonne was paced by Rylee Stafford’s game-high 26 points.

The loss dropped Wesleyan to 1-8 overall and 1-4 in conference play.

They’ll be back in action a week from today when they travel to Louisville, Kentucky to battle Spalding University.

Tip is set for 11:00 a.m.

Women’s College Basketball: Iowa to Play Maryland in B1G Women’s Final:

Big Ten Freshman of the Year Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeye women will play in today’s Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament finale, when they take on top-seeded Maryland.

Tip is set for 1:00 p.m.

The Hawkeyes have defeated Purdue, Rutgers and Michigan State on their way to this afternoon’s finale.

In their only other matchup this year, Maryland held on for a 111-93 win.

Clark had 34 points and seven helpers in that game.

The winner of today’s game will get an automatic bid to the 2021 Women’s NCAA Tournament.

Men’s College Basketball: Dentlinger Lifts Tigers to Crucial Home Win:

Former New London prep standout Alex Dentlinger did not miss a single shot attempt, pacing Iowa Wesleyan’s attack with 28 points as the Tigers cruised to an 83-70 win over Fontbonne last night.

The Tigers roasted the first half nets, connecting on 7-of-16 shots from three-point land — leading them to a 14-point halftime lead.

Fontbonne got the game within three in the second half, but that’s when Dentlinger erupted converting on multiple open looks to race the Tigers back in front.

Dentlinger had 17 of his 28 after the break.

Senior forward Jarryd Fernandes added 17 points and seven rebounds for Wesleyan, who upped their season ledger to 3-6 and 2-3 in conference play.

Anthony Jones led Fontbonne with 18 points.

Wesleyan will play in the second leg of the conference doubleheader next week against Spalding.

Tip is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.

Men’s College Basketball: Iowa Wins, Advances in Big Ten Tournament:

The Iowa men’s basketball team, now 21-7, picked up a clutch win at the Big Ten Tournament last night in Indianapolis.

The Hawkeyes move to this afternoon’s semifinal round.

Here is the full scoreboard from a busy day at Lucas Oil Stadium:

  • Michigan 79, No. 8 Maryland 66
  • Ohio State 87, No. 4 Purdue 78 (OT)
  • Illinois 90, No. 7 Rutgers 68
  • Iowa 62, No. 6 Wisconsin 57

Semifinal action will begin today 1:00 p.m. with Michigan-Ohio State.

Illinois will play Iowa approximately 25 minutes following the conclusion of that game.

Mudding Violations

By Theresa Rose · Friday, March 12th, 2021 at 5:43 pm CDT

On February 27th, 2021, at approximately 5:52 p.m., the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received report of a vehicle stuck on Hickory Avenue just South of 265th Street. Vehicles matching the description were found on Garth Avenue in Oakland Mills. An investigation determined that Alexis Rae Hobson, 25 YOA, Mt. Pleasant; was operator of a 1988 Chevrolet Pickup that had gone in the ditch. Carl Dwain Clayton 3rd, 25 YOA, Mt Pleasant; then drove the vehicle home after getting it out of the ditch.

Alexis was given citations for Failure to Maintain Control and Operating A Non-Registered Vehicle. Carl Clayton 3rd was charged with Driving Under Suspension and given citations for  Operating A Non-Registered Vehicle and No SR22 Insurance.

MP Dessert Theatre 2021!

By Theresa Rose · Friday, March 12th, 2021 at 5:33 pm CDT

The Mount Pleasant Music Boosters have announced plans for a Dessert Theatre for this year.  The annual event had to be cancelled in 2020 due to the pandemic. Here is the schedule and ticket information:

Friday, March 26th – 7:00pm – High School Jazz Bands, Show Choir, & Dessert Theatre Set

Saturday, March 27th – 7:00pm – Middle School Jazz Band, Show Choir, & Select HS Solos

Sunday, March 28th – 2:00pm – High School Jazz Bands, Show Choir, & Dessert Theatre Set

Tickets on sale at Brown’s Shoe Fit from Tuesday, March 16th – Thursday, March 25th

We are so excited to have an event open to the public! The students are looking forward to performing! We want this to be a fun and safe event for everyone so the following changes have been made for this year:

*Floor tickets will be sold by table (smaller tables this year) – $40 for a table of 4 – once those are sold out, bleacher seats (without dessert) will be sold for $5 a ticket. You MUST buy a full table. (i.e. group of 6 people – you will need to buy 2 full tables)

*Dessert will be homemade prepackaged cupcakes and bottled water – preset at your table.

*Masks are required.

We know these changes will make the event feel different but we can guarantee that the performances will be as wonderful as every other year! We thank you for your patience, understanding, and support this past year and look forward to seeing you at our 2021 Dessert Theatre!

Mt. Pleasant Music Boosters

Sports, Friday, March 12th

By Nathan Bloechl · Friday, March 12th, 2021 at 12:41 pm CDT

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com

Women’s College Basketball: Wesleyan Meets with Fontbonne Tonight:

The Iowa Wesleyan women’s basketball team, losers of three straight, will be back at home tonight at Ruble Arena when they take on Fontbonne University in the first leg of a SLIAC doubleheader.

Fontbonne enters play tonight with a record of 1-2.

Wesleyan has lost six consecutive matchups to the Griffins, with their last win coming back on February 15th, 2017 (48-44).

The Tigers are led by freshman forward Anija Simmons who averages 16.4 points per game and seven boards.

Senior guard Morgan McCrea is second on the team in scoring with 15.6 points per game, also adding 4.3 rebounds and nearly three assists.

Fontbonne is paced by senior guard Rylee Stafford, who scores 18.7 points per game — Kourtney White pours in 18.0 points for the Griffins as well, who average 68 points per game.

Tonight’s game will tip at 5:30 p.m.

You can listen on FM 105.5.

Nathan Bloechl and Kent Bennett will have the call beginning at about 5:25 p.m.

Women’s College Basketball: Two Drake Bulldogs Honored by MVC:

Maggie Bair and Grace Berg of the Drake University women’s basketball team were named the Missouri Valley Conference Sixth Player of the Year and MVC Newcomer of the Year, respectively, the MVC announced Thursday.

Bair is the first Drake player to win the MVC Sixth Player of the Year Award since Sara Rhine won in 2016 and 2018.

She averaged 8.1 points and 6.8 rebounds per game this season, that despite missing five games due to injury.

Berg is the second player in Drake history to win the newcomer award. The Missouri transfer was second in the MVC in scoring with a career-high 16.4 points per game and third in shooting (54.1%).

Men’s College Basketball: Wesleyan Men Back at Home:

The Iowa Wesleyan men’s basketball team will look to snap their own two-game losing skid tonight when they cap off a SLIAC doubleheader against the Griffins of Fontbonne University.

The Wesleyan men have lost two straight since knocking off conference preseason favorite Westminster 77-71 back on March 3rd.

Last year the Tigers split the season series with Fontbonne, earning a 22-point home win in January of 2020.

Wesleyan is led by senior forward Jarryd Fernandes who leads the league in rebounds per game at 12.4. He scores 14.1 points per game, as well.

Former Fort Madison prep and junior guard Kaleb Cresswell is second on the team in scoring at 12.9 points per game.

Junior guard Anthony Jones paces Fontbonne scoring an average of 19.6 points per game.

He leads four Griffins in double figures.

Tonight’s game will tip at 7:30 p.m.

You can listen on FM 105.5

Nathan Bloechl and Kent Bennett will have all the action.

Men’s College Basketball: Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals Set:

The second round of the Big Ten men’s basketball tournament concluded yesterday in Indianapolis.

Here’s a look at the full scoreboard:

  • No. 8 Maryland 68, No. 9 Michigan State 57
  • No. 5 Ohio State 79, No. 13 Minnesota 75
  • No. 7 Rutgers 61, No. 10 Indiana 50
  • No. 6 Wisconsin 75, No. 11 Penn State 74

Iowa (20-7) will take on sixth-seeded Wisconsin tonight, with tip scheduled for approximately 8:30 p.m.

They’ll take the floor 25 minutes after Illinois and Rutgers finish up, that game will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Prep Basketball: State Finals Set in All Classes:

The Iowa High School State Basketball Tournament continued on in Des Moines yesterday, as teams played their semifinal matchups.

Here’s a full look at yesterday’s scoreboard:

Class 2A Semifinals:

No. 1 Boyden-Hull 77, Aplington-Parkersburg 66

No. 2 Western Christian 56, No. 3 Des Moines Christian 47

Class 3A Semifinals: 

No. 1 Ballard 74, No. 5 Assumption 65

No. 2 Pella 46, No. 6 Sergeant Bluff-Luton 32

Class 4A Semifinals: 

No. 4 Johnston 64, No. 1 Cedar Falls 51

No. 2 Waukee 71, No. 3 Ames 36

Don Robert “Bob” Savage

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, March 11th, 2021 at 11:16 pm CDT

Don Robert “Bob” Savage, 82, of Stillwater, Oklahoma, formerly of Salem, passed away on Thursday, October 15th, 2020 in the comfort of his home near Perkins, Oklahoma. .

 

His family will host a Celebration of his Life on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Salem Community Center in Salem, Iowa.

 

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

 

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant are caring for his local arrangements

Mulch Pile Starts Fire

By Theresa Rose · Thursday, March 11th, 2021 at 4:52 pm CDT

At about 1 pm Wednesday the Mount Pleasant Fire Department was paged out to the Batey Limited Sawmill on Kentucky Avenue South of Mount Pleasant. Apparently, a mulch pile self-combusted and caught a log pile on fire. By 1:30 pm a second crew and mutual aid from Salem were called for.  The Mount Department was back to the station by 4 pm.