Author: Nathan Bloechl

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

(Photo Courtesy: Andy Krutsinger // southeastiowaunion.com)

KILJ — Mount Pleasant sophomore forward Andrea Lopreato was recognized by Southeast Conference officials yesterday as a 1^st Team All-Conference selection following her terrific campaign for Curt Watson’s group.

Lopreato led Mount Pleasant with 16.7 points and 10.9 rebounds per game, all while contributing two assists, three steals and a block per contest, as well.

Her capstone performance was a February 5^th drubbing of Burlington, where Lopreato set the school record for points in a game with 37 (13-of-19 FG), while snagging 16 rebounds.

Joining Lopreato on the 1st Team were the Fairfield tandem of Danielle Breen and Hannah Simpson, Abby Wolter of Keokuk (Conference POY) and Fort Madison’s Malarie Ross and Brandy Walker.

Lopreato’s classmate Tristian Shull was named 2^nd Team All-Conference by the coaches, as well.

Shull averaged 9.5 points her second year on the varsity floor, leading the conference with nearly four assists per game.

She finished second on the team in steals per game with 2.7.

Both Emma Huckabone and Kenna Lamm were named to the Honorable Mention All-Conference list.

Lamm, Huckabone, Ava Lowery, Karsyn Lamm and Emma Rugg were all Academic All-Conference selections for the Panthers as well.

Mount Pleasant closed their season with a record of 11-10.

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

Mount Vernon — Trailing by as much as 17, the Mount Pleasant boys’ basketball team rallied to within two but it was Mount Vernon who iced the game at the free throw line to hold off Eric Rawson’s group one last time in a 59-55 Class 3A, Substate 5 semifinal last night at Mount Vernon High School.

Collin Swantz, who airballed his first foul shot of the night, calmly drilled four straight free throws with under 0:30 to play in the game to put the game on ice for the Mustangs, who move on to face No. 10 Davenport Assumption in the substate finals, Monday night.

“It’s been quite a ride with this group” head coach Eric Rawson said post-game.

“I wasn’t ready to have that conversation. I thought we were deserving to play on Monday. And that’s one thing with this group and the seniors that we have, as a first-year head coach and all the crazy and the ups and downs it’s certainly a building block for our staff and young kids.” 

Mount Vernon saw star guard Keaton Kutcher, a South Dakota recruit, roll for 21 points in the first half seemingly getting off any shot he wanted at any time. Kutcher went off for 15 points in the second quarter, which sparked a 30-14 run in the frame for the Mustangs.

In the second half, however, Mount Pleasant head coach Eric Rawson made a tactical adjustment putting his star forward Dewon Trent on Kutcher.

Kutcher was held to just two points after recess on 1-of-7 shooting as the Panthers tightened the screws defensively, which aided their spirited comeback.

While he was hounding Kutcher on the other end, Trent was doing what he did all season for the Panthers on the offensive side of the floor.

The 6-foot-3 inch junior finished with 15 points and six rebounds to lead Mount Pleasant.

“Dewon Trent, love that guy. He locked [Kutcher] down. He did a fantastic job defensively on him. To hold [Mount Vernon] to 15 points in the second that in itself, with the energy and the heart and soul and passion they played with in the second half, it outweighs a “W” any day” a choked up Rawson said.

Trent had a chance to tie the game at 55 but was waylaid on a drive without a whistle.

That’s when Swantz canned his foul shots and put the game on ice.

Chase Williamson added 15 points for the Panthers while sophomore Owen Vansickel chipped in with 14 points.

The loss closes the Panthers season at 13-11.

Mount Vernon improved to 17-5.

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

KILJ — The New London-Easton Valley boys’ substate final game has been moved to a 4:30 p.m. tip according to New London Director of Athletics Ben Fry.

The game will still be played at Maquoketa High School.

New London, 19-4, knocked off Springville 71-68 in overtime to earn the trip to the final, while Easton Valley (22-0) defeated Wapello in double overtime 50-48.

You can listen to Saturday’s game on FM 105.5 and online at kilj.com.

Nathan Bloechl and Kent Bennett will have coverage beginning at 4:15 p.m.

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

KILJ — Mount Pleasant senior quarterback Jack Johnson has committed to play college football at Central College he has announced via social media.

Johnson follows the footsteps of 2019 quarterback Brody Bender as Panthers to head to Pella.

It is unclear if Johnson will play quarterback for the Dutch.

Johnson enjoyed a monster senior season for the Panthers accounting for over 2,000 combined yards and 22 touchdowns.

He ended his season with his best passing performance of the year in the team’s loss to eventual state champion North Scott, where he threw for 378 yards and three touchdowns.

Central will begin their spring regular season on April 3rd when they host Simpson.

I have always dreamed of playing college football since I was a little kid. Well today, those dreams have turned into a reality. With that being said, I have committed to Central College. Thank you @coachmaiuri and the whole @CUI_Football family for this opportunity. #GoDutch pic.twitter.com/d9eEsdLohe

— Jack Johnson (@Johnson_Jack_45) February 19, 2021

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

(Photo Courtesy: Andy Krutsinger / southeastiowaunion.com)

KILJ — The Mount Pleasant boys’ basketball team will try to pull off another road upset tonight when they travel to take on Mount Vernon (16-5) in a Class 3A, Substate 5 semifinal at 7:00 p.m.

The Panthers, who held a 17-point halftime lead, held on to beat Keokuk Monday night to advance to tonight’s semifinal.

Mount Vernon cruised by Fort Madison 77-62.

Keaton Kutcher, a South Dakota recruit, leads the Mustangs with 22.5 points per game.

He hits 41% of his three-point shots.

Jayden Meeker is second on Mustangs with 15.5 points per game.

Nobody else is in double figures.

Mount Pleasant will need another strong performance from Dewon Trent this evening to pull off the road win.

Trent leads Mount Pleasant with 15.6 points per game while hauling in 7.4 rebounds per game.

Brevin Wilson scores 10.5 points and snags five boards per night.

Tonight’s game will tip at 7:00 p.m. at Mount Vernon High School.

You can listen on FM 105.5 and online at kilj.com.

Nathan Bloechl and Kent Bennett will have all the action beginning at 6:45 p.m. for the KILJ Tournament Trail Pregame Show.

By: Nathan Bloechl — sports@kilj.com 

(Photo Courtesy: John Lovretta / thehawkeye.com)

Muscatine — For the second consecutive year the Notre Dame Nike girls’ basketball team fell short of their ultimate goal.

The Nikes shot just 5-of-21 from three-point land as the No. 8 Springville Orioles bounced Notre Dame 65-57 in a Class 1A Region Final last night at Muscatine High School.

“Two years in a row now, we were knocking on the door. Hopefully next year is the year. We’ll be back at this game next year and hopefully we will bust the door down”  head coach Jim Myers said.

The win propelled the Orioles to the Class 1A Girls’ State Basketball Tournament where they will play top-seeded Algona Bishop Garrigan.

The explosive Nike offense was held in check by the Orioles in the first half, as Springville limited Notre Dame to just 19 first half points.

Springville’s 10-4 second quarter run allowed them to hold an eight-point lead into recess.

Notre Dame came alive in the third quarter taking a two-point lead at the three minute mark of the quarter — only to see the Orioles jump a quick 8-0 run on the back of two made triples by guard Grace Matus.

The Nikes rallied again in the fourth quarter to pull within one at 41-40 after a pair of Megan Harrell free throws.

Yet it seemed that every time Notre Dame tried to spark a rally, the Orioles made a big play.

“We’d get some momentum back and then we’d give up something easy or we’d foul. Pick your poison. It was one of those that we did. We had our chances.” Myers said.

Making them for Springville last night was Lauren Wilson, who had a game-high 26 points.

Notre Dame did not have an answer for her inside presence.

Springville did their part down the stretch to put the game on ice, canning 5-of-6 free throws, with Molly Stamp hitting the final four of the game.

Regan Engberg and Karli Artman paced the Nikes with 15 points apiece, while Megan Harrell finished with 12.

Katy Stephens chipped in with nine.

“I’m just so proud of this group. You know I’m dealing with things, and they gave me everything they had. It just wasn’t enough.” Myers explained.

The loss closes Notre Dame’s season at 19-2.