Author: Nathan Bloechl

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Prep Track: Mount Pleasant to Host “Scrimmage” Today:

For the first time in over two years, Mapleleaf Athletic Complex will host a track and field competition.

The Mount Pleasant boys’ and girls’ track and field will host a scrimmage this afternoon, welcoming in Burlington, West Burlington and Washington.

After a long layoff without competition a year ago, the state is allowing schools to scrimmage, which the Panthers will take full advantage of this year.

Events will get underway at 4:00 p.m. today at Mapleleaf Athletic Complex.

Prep Basketball: New London’s Porter Named 2nd Team All-State:

New London sophomore guard Blaise Porter had another terrific campaign and his play is being recognized now at the state level.

Yesterday Porter was named Second Team All-State by the Iowa Print Sports Writer’s Association.

Porter was one of just three underclassmen honored in Class 1A.

The electric 6’1′ guard guided New London to a 19 win season, falling one win short of an appearance in the 1A State Tournament.

Porter led the Tigers, averaging 22.4 points, five assists and four rebounds per game, while connecting on 53% of his field goals.

He shot 41% from three point territory.

Porter earned his first Division I scholarship offer last year, picking up an offer from Bryant University.

Women’s College Basketball: Both Iowa, Iowa State Head to NCAA Tournament:

Both Iowa and Iowa State’s women’s basketball teams are going dancing.

The Hawkeyes, led by Des Moines native and freshman Caitlin Clark are the No. 5 seed in the Mercado Region and will link up with Central Michigan this Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

Iowa State is the No. 7 seed in the River Walk Region. The Cyclones will lock horns with tenth-seeded Michigan State next Monday at 5:00 p.m.

Stanford, South Carolina, North Carolina State and UCONN comprise the No. 1 seeds.

Men’s College Basketball: Iowa State, Prohm Part Ways: 

Iowa State and men’s basketball coach Steve Prohm have agreed to part ways.

Director of Athletics Jamie Pollard met Prohm in person Monday night.

Prohm compiled a 97-95 record in six seasons with the Cyclones, but his 2020-21 club was 2-22 overall.

Prohm led Iowa State to three NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament berths and two Big 12 Tournament Championships in his tenure.

Pollard, who is serving on the NCAA Men’s Basketball Committee, will begin the search for a replacement immediately.

Men’s College Basketball: McCaffery Earns Extension from Iowa:

University of Iowa head men’s basketball coach Fran McCaffery has signed a four-year extension to his current contract. The agreement was announced today by Director of Athletics Gary Barta.

McCaffery is now signed through the 2027-28 competitive season.

McCaffery has guided the nationally-ranked Hawkeyes to a 21-8 regular season record and a third-place finish in the Big Ten with a 14-6 league mark in 2020-21.

Second-seeded Iowa (21-8) will begin NCAA Tournament play on Saturday against No. 15 seed Grand Canyon (17-6).

Tipoff is scheduled for approximately 5:25 p.m.

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.

 

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.

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

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

College Volleyball: Wesleyan Falls Short in SLIAC Tilt:

The Iowa Wesleyan volleyball team dropped to 4-5 yesterday following a 3-1 conference loss to Blackburn College.

The Beavers started hot taking set one 25-17 before Wesleyan rallied to take the second set 25-18.

From there it was all Blackburn.

The Beavers caged the Tigers for 25-18 and 28-26 wins in the third and fourth sets to earn their first win of the season.

Malie DaMate paced the Wesleyan attack with 17 kills and three aces.

Lindsay Fernandez had 17 assists and 16 digs while senior Jenna Murphy led the back row with 25 digs.

Wesleyan will be off until Saturday when they travel to take on Fontbonne University for a pair of matches.

Action will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

Men’s College Soccer: Wesleyan Wins Double OT Thriller:

The Iowa Wesleyan men’s soccer team picked up their first win of the season winning 2-1 over Fontbonne University in double overtime.

Scoring both goals for the Tigers was Venezuelan freshman Gianandres Franceschi-Santorsola.

Julio Olmedo chipped in four shots for Wesleyan while Vicent Sanchis had five saves in goal for the Tigers.

Wesleyan will take the next few days to recover before traveling to Eureka on Saturday.

Kick is set for 5:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

Women’s College Soccer: Wesleyan Beaten by Fontbonne:

The Iowa Wesleyan women’s soccer team celebrated senior day, honoring Ivet Rodriguez and Melissa Casana, but could not overcome the lone goal scored by Fontbonne, falling 1-0 last night at home.

The loss moved Wesleyan to 1-1.

Kylie Mulhern had seven saves in net for the Tigers.

They’ll open the doubleheader at Eureka, Saturday, beginning at 3:00 p.m.

Women’s College Basketball: ISU’s Joens Named 1st Team All-Big 12, Donarski Named Freshman of the Year:

Iowa State junior forward and Iowa City native Ashley Joens has been named first-team All-Big 12, the league announced yesterday.

The six-footer has been the catalyst behind the Cyclone women’s fourth place finish in the Big 12 this winter.

Joens averaged 23.4 points and nine rebounds — both career highs — in Iowa State’s 16 win season.

Her teammate Lexi Donarski was also honored as the Big 12 Freshman of the Year.

Donarski, a La Crosse, Wisconsin native and a McDonald’s All-American at Aquinas High School, dazzled in her first year in Ames, averaging 13.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and two assists per game.

Iowa State will open Big 12 Tournament play tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. when they take on fifth-seeded Texas.

Prep Basketball: State Tournament Finals Set in 1A:

The Class 1A State Championship is set and semifinals are in Class 4A.

Here’s the full scoreboard from Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

Class 4A Quarterfinals: 

No. 1 Cedar Falls 42, No. 8 Dubuque Senior 27

No. 4 Johnston 49, No. 5 Dowling Catholic 33

No. 2 Waukee 65, No. 7 Pleasant Valley 43

No. 3 Ames 54, No. 6 Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln 37

Class 1A Semifinals:

No. 1 North Linn 63, No. 4 Martensdale-St. Mary’s 50

• Fourth straight trip to the State Finals for the Lynx.

No. 7 Montezuma 49, No. 3 Grand View Christian 35

• Montezuma heading back to the State Finals for the first time since 1990.

 

 

 

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Women’s College Basketball: Wesleyan Women Beaten by Webster:

The Iowa Wesleyan women’s basketball team turned the ball over 32 times as they were beaten yesterday night by Webster University 83-41 in a SLIAC matchup in St. Louis.

Wesleyan kept the game close for the first quarter, with Webster leading only 20-18 at the quarter break.

However, the Gorloks used a 31-8 second quarter run to pull away for the win.

Freshman forward Anija Simmons had 16 points to lead the Tigers, while Chris Heimann had nine.

The loss moved Wesleyan to 1-7 overall and 1-3 in conference competition.

Wesleyan will use today and tomorrow to lick their wounds before returning home this Friday when they’ll host Fontbonne University.

Tip is set for 5:30 p.m.

You can listen to that game on FM 105.5.

Nathan Bloechl and Kent Bennett will have all the action.

Women’s College Basketball: Iowa’s Clark Named Unanimous All-Big Ten:

Iowa freshman guard Caitlin Clark was one of just three unanimous first-team All-Big Ten selections in the women’s basketball regular season awards announce by Big Ten Conference officials Monday.

Clark, a West Des Moines native, led the Hawkeyes this year averaging 27 points, seven assists and six rebounds per game.

She was joined on the first-team by teammate Monika Czinano.

Unsurprisingly, Clark was selected to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team and was also named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.

Iowa begins their postseason schedule tonight when they take on Purdue in the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Tournament.

Tip is set for 7:45 p.m.

Men’s College Basketball: Wesleyan Men Stumble to Webster:

Carver Locke had 20 points and 10 rebounds, while hitting three triples, but it was not enough for Iowa Wesleyan’s men as they were defeated 72-61 by Webster University last night on the road.

Wesleyan went down by 10 after the first half and could not rally any closer in the seconds, as Webster evened their ledger at 2-2.

Jarryd Fernandes chipped in with 15 points and 14 rebounds in the loss, while former New London prep Alex Dentlinger added eight points and three boards.

Wesleyan, now 2-6 and 1-3 in SLIAC play, will take their home floor on Friday when they host Fontbonne University in the second leg of a SLIAC doubleheader.

Tip is tentatively scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

You can listen on FM 105.5.

Men’s College Basketball: Garza Named Sporting News National POY:

University of Iowa men’s basketball senior Luka Garza has been named the National Player of the Year and a unanimous first-team All-American by Sporting News on Tuesday, the outlet announced.

Garza is the sixth men’s basketball player to be named National Player of the Year by Sporting News in consecutive seasons (2020-21) and first since Michael Jordan (1983-84).

Garza averaged 21.9 points per game during the 20-game conference schedule, becoming the third player since 1990 to lead the league in scoring in consecutive seasons.

No. 5 Iowa (20-7, 14-6) will open Big Ten Tournament play on Friday in the quarterfinals.

Tipoff is scheduled for approximately 8 p.m. (CT) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Prep Basketball: State Tournament Scoreboard:

Day Two of the Iowa High School Basketball Tournament concluded yesterday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, here’s a look at the full scoreboard:

2A: 

No. 3 Des Moines Christian 58, No. 6 Beckman Catholic 38

No. 2 Western Christian 71, No. 7 Camanche 55

3A:

No. 1 Ballard 68, No. 8 Clear Lake 45

No. 5 Davenport Assumption 56, No. 4 Dallas Center-Grimes 42

No. 2 Pella 59, No. 7 Monticello 46

No. 6 Sergeant Bluff-Luton 38, No. 3 Western Dubuque 37 (OT)

Action resumes late into the night today in our state’s capitol with 4A Quarterfinals and 1A Semifinals.