Sports, February 23rd

By Nathan Bloechl · Wednesday, February 23rd, 2022 at 12:45 pm CDT

Prep Basketball: Revenge? Not for WACO, As Warriors Storm Past New London

Ask Paul Kissell if he found any vindication last night. He’ll say no — he’ll also say no, it wasn’t revenge.

Remember two years ago on Father Minnett Gymnasium when New London, led by two freshman ended WACO’s dream undefeated season with a 60-52 district semifinal win.

Fast forward to last night, it appears a changing of the guard might be on the horizon in southeast Iowa.

WACO’s 17-10 second quarter run propelled the Warriors to a 52-48 triumph over New London, guiding them back to the Substate Finals Saturday night.

Simeon Reichenbach’s second quarter three pointer, which gave WACO a 28-26 lead, proved to be the difference as the Warriors would not trail again.

The lead grew to six at halftime and nine by the end of three quarters, though New London would start to rally.

Devin Swanson’s triple at the 2:31 mark of the fourth quarter brought the lead down to just two at 48-46.

New London would not get closer, missing two threes which would have tied the game.

Late game foul shooting by Hunter Hughes and Colton Leichty iced away any potential drama.

Hughes and Leichty each scored 12 for the Warriors, while Reichenbach had nine.

Swanson had a game-high 16, while Blaise Porter chipped in with 11.

WACO improved to 20-4, while New London closes their season 20-3.

Prep Basketball: Carr Leads Danville Back to Substate

Good things happen when the Soukup twins are around.

Years after the two of them guided Danville to one of the more dominant runs in southeast Iowa, this year the now coaches have orchestrated their team to within one game of a return trip to Wells Fargo Arena.

Ty Carr lifted the scoring lead as the Bears second half rally guided them to a 44-41 win over Winfield-Mount Union.

Danville will play WACO on Saturday with state on the line at 7:00 p.m. at a neutral site to be determined.

Winfield-Mount Union, to their credit, started hot — leading by three at the first quarter break, one at half and one into the fourth.

But that’s when Carr woke up.

The senior point guard finished with a game-high 15 points on 6-of-10 shooting to ignite the comeback.

Big man Sawyer Nelson chipped in with 10, but it was his post defense that was most evident last night.

Nelson, the Super Conference leader in rebounding, made life difficult in the paint for the two fulcrums of Winfield’s offense: Cam Buffington and Abram Edwards.

Buffington and Edwards finished with just nine points apiece and it was freshman Jake Edwards who had a team-high 13 for the Wolves.

Danville is now 22-2.

Winfield-Mount Union closes their year 21-3.

You can listen to Saturday night’s Substate Final on FM 105.5.

Nathan Bloechl and Kent Bennett will have the call.

Girls’ Prep Basketball: Notre Dame Ready to Get Over the Hump

In each of the last two years Notre Dame was right there.

In 2020 the Nikes succumbed to Marquette Catholic 57-49, last year it was another heartbreaking 65-57 loss to Springville.

This year head coach Corey Stephens is looking to get the Nikes over the hump.

How special would it be for them to do it this year? Of course the Nikes played this year with the heaviest of hearts.

Long-time head coach and community leader Jim Myers passed after just one game on the sideline after a lengthy battle with cancer.

Stephens is now doing his best Myers’ impression, carrying on the legacy that he left behind him.

Tonight Notre Dame will get English Valleys at Fairfield High School with the winner advancing to next week’s 1A State Girls’ Basketball Tournament.

This group has been building to this moment.

Largely the same crewmates return from the last two year’s of disappointment and their scorned lover demeanor has set them on a trailblazing 22-0 season.

The ring leader has been Quincy University recruit Megan Harrell.

Harrell leads the team with 14.4 points per game chipping with 8.2 boards as well.

Reagan Engberg adds 10.4 points per game while all-everything volleyball star Gabby Deery chips in with 9.5 points and 5.6 boards.

English Valleys is 21-3.

The Bears have defeated Lone Tree, Sigourney and Montezuma on their tournament trail run and are paced by senior guard Mia Ayers and her 13.6 points per game.

This will just be the second meeting in the last eight years between the programs, with Notre Dame earning a 73-57 win back on this same date in 2015.

You can listen to tonight’s game on FM 105.5 and kilj.com.

Tip is set for 7:00 p.m. and Nathan Bloechl and Kent Bennett will have the call.

In Class 2A, Mediapolis will also look to punch their ticket to the State Tournament.

The Bullettes will play Regina Catholic tonight at Muscatine.

Mediapolis is 21-2 on the year and advanced by avenging their first loss of the season over Louisa-Muscatine last week.

Regina squeaked by West Branch in 48-40 affair in last week’s semifinal.

They too will tip at 7:00 p.m.

NFL 

Aaron Rodgers says he’s still making up his mind about whether he wants to return to the Green Bay Packers next season.

The four-time MVP said on the Pat McAfee Show yesterday that he has made no decision on his future.

The mercurial quarterback posted on social media late Monday thanking current and former teammates, raising speculation that an announcement of his retirement could have came yesterday.

For now, the Packers still have the fifth-best odds to hoist the lombardi trophy next year.

Results of Recent Traffic Enforcement Effort

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 at 9:15 pm CDT

The Iowa State Patrol is pleased to announce that during the February 15 Highway 218 Avenue of the Saints enforcement efforts there were ZERO traffic fatalities or crashes reported on that state-wide roadway.   Over 600 traffic enforcement contacts were made, as well as multiple motorists assist during the reporting hours.    One concern that continues to be a statewide issue is SPEEDING.    136 citations were issued for speed and another 113 warnings for the same during this effort.   Driving the posted speed limit is still very important for overall safety.

Curtis Dean Anthony

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 at 8:37 pm CDT

Curtis Dean Anthony, 66, of Salem, IA, formerly of Sherrard, IL and Ennis, MT, died Saturday, February 19, 2022 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.

A celebration of life will occur at a later date. The Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant, IA, is caring for Curtis and his family.

Jack D. Gillis

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 at 8:36 pm CDT

Jack D. Gillis, 91, of Mt. Pleasant, died Monday, February 21, 2022 at Mercy Hospital in Iowa City, IA.

A memorial service for Jack will be held at 10AM on Saturday, February 26 in the Chapel of Forest Home Cemetery, Mt. Pleasant.  A flag presentation will be conducted by the Iowa Military Funeral Honors Detail. Interment will be in the Forest Home Cemetery. Friends may call to sign the register from 9AM – 6 PM on Friday at the Kimzey Funeral Home, 213 N. Main St., Mt. Pleasant. Online condolences may be directed to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com.

Jack Duane Gillis was born April 31, 1930 in Mt. Pleasant. He was the son of Gordon Edward and Alice Marie (Harper) Gillis. He attended school in Mt. Pleasant and graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School. On August 28, 1961 in El Dorado, IL, Jack was united in marriage to Brenda Joyce McClary. To this union a son, Kirk Duane Gillis, was born on September 28, 1968.  Mrs Gillis died Friday, October 23, 1998 at their residence in Mt. Pleasant.

Jack was called to the service of his country. He entered the United States Army on March 16, 1956 at Ft. Des Moines. He received schooling at the Southeastern Signal School at Ft. Gordon, GA. He served in the Army Signal Corp and was honorably discharged on March 2, 1959 at Ft. Lewis, WA.

Jack was a longtime employee of the former Metromail Corp. in Mt. Pleasant. He was a longtime member of the Henry County Rescue Squad and the Mt. Pleasant Police Reserves Association. Jack often volunteered at Midwest Old Threshers during the Reunion and throughout the year.

Survivors include a brother and his wife, Ed and “Skip” Gillis of Burlington, and his “bonus granddaughter” and her husband, Jessica and Jason Loving of Mt. Pleasant.

In addition to his parents and wife, Jack is preceded in death by his son Kirk, who died Sunday, June 17, 2012 at his residence in Mt. Pleasant. Jack is also preceded in death by a brother, James H. Gillis and Jack’s longtime companion, Francine Kite.

Harlan-Lincoln House to Host Annual Brown Bag Lecture Series 

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 at 4:36 pm CDT

Mount Pleasant, IA – February 22, 2022 — The Friends of the Harlan-Lincoln House, in coordination with Iowa Wesleyan University, is excited to host the Brown Bag Lecture Series once again. This series brings together authors, historians, and experts to present on a wide range of topics. For more than a decade, supporters have blocked off their calendars for each Tuesday in March in anticipation of gathering together to explore history.

Beginning on March 1, author, historian, and member of the Executive Committee of the Friends of the Harlan-Lincoln House, Paul Juhl, and Director of the Harlan-Lincoln House, Madison Pullis, will present “Pieces of the Past: The Harlan and the Lincolns.”

On March 8, join architectural history consultant, curator, researcher, and author, Paul Larson for “Folk Cottages of Southeast Iowa.”

Jeff Meyer, historian, and Iowa Wesleyan archivist, will present “Did You Hear About the Lady Lawyer? Telecommunications, Railroads, and Information Transmission in 1869” on March 15.

Then, on March 22, the Friends of the Harlan-Lincoln House are hosting a bus trip for a unique opportunity to experience the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Currently, this event has reached its capacity, and registration is closed.

Finally, historian, author, and genealogist Rich Hileman presents “And Also in Iowa: Lincoln’s Iowa Cousins” on March 29.

Lectures are held at noon in the Social Hall of the Howe Student Activity Center at Iowa Wesleyan University. All on-campus Brown Bag Lectures are free to the public. For questions or more information please visit harlanlincolnhouse.org/brown-bag-lecture-series/, contact hlhouse@iw.edu, or call 319-385-6319.

Iowa Wesleyan University – As Southeast Iowa’s regional comprehensive University, Iowa Wesleyan University is a transformational learning community whose passion is to educate, empower and inspire students to lead meaningful lives and careers.

STEMFest Returns March 12

By Theresa Rose · Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 at 3:56 pm CDT
WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa – The annual Southeast Iowa Regional Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Festival (STEMFest) will take place at SCC’s West Burlington campus on March 12 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. The family-friendly event is a joint effort among SCC, the Southeast Iowa STEM Region, the Lee County Economic Development Group, Greater Burlington Partnership, local businesses, manufacturers and area educators.

 

STEMFest presents careers and opportunities in STEM-related fields through hands-on activities led by exhibitors across the region. Participants explore these pathways through robotics and healthcare simulations, as well as electronics and renewable energy exhibits.

SCC Work-Based Learning Specialist Leanne Krogmeier says this is a great event for everyone in the family.

 

“Bring the little ones and bring your teenagers,” she says. “STEMfest showcases activities for students in every grade from elementary through high school.”

 

With the increasing demand for jobs that require digital and technical skills, a background in STEM has become essential for an expanding variety of fields. Krogmeier says the festival is a great way for students to discover a range of careers in southeast Iowa’s growing industries.

 

“STEM careers are projected to grow faster than all other careers over the next ten years,” says Krogmeier. “That’s why it’s so important we get kids interested while they’re young. STEMFest is a fun and creative way to introduce kids to concepts and career paths they may never see or consider.”

 

Along with the traditional Saturday event that is open to everyone, the STEMFest planning committee added a special STEM Day just for high school students on the West Burlington campus on March 11.

 

Hundreds of families attend the Saturday event each year, and Krogmeier hopes the trend continues.

 

“My hope for this year’s STEMFest is that we can keep teaching parents and children about how fun STEM can be. We’ve got dozens of exhibitors from across the region and state with plenty of hands-on activities and items for kids of all ages to take home.”

 

STEMFest is free and open to the public.

 

To learn more about the Southeast Iowa Regional STEMFest, visit http://se.iowastem.org.

 

For questions about STEMFest at SCC, contact Leanne Krogmeier at (319) 208-5053 or email lkrogmeier@scciowa.edu .

Boys Prep Basketball: Mount Pleasant Rallies for Thrilling Win

By Nathan Bloechl · Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 at 3:26 pm CDT

Mount Vernon — Down nine in the fourth, the Mount Pleasant boys’ basketball team rallied back for a double overtime, 60-55 win over Mount Vernon in a Class 3A, Substate 5 quarterfinal.

The win moves the Panthers to Thursday’s semifinal, where the Panthers will scrap with top-seeded Marion.

Payton Hagans led the Panthers with a game-high 26 points and seven rebounds.

He hit 6-of-12 threes, including the game-tying shot in regulation.

Hagans also came up with three huge defensive steals, truly playing the game of his sophomore season on the brightest and biggest of stages.

Dewon Trent added 15 points and six rebounds, while Owen Vansickel chipped in with nine.

Evan Brase and Joe Rhomberg led the Mustangs with 13 and 12 points respectively.

Mount Pleasant’s Thursday semifinal will be played at Marion High School, with tip scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

You can listen on FM 105.5 and kilj.com.

Boys’ Prep Basketball: Other Area Regional Scores

By Nathan Bloechl · Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022 at 3:25 pm CDT

KILJ — It was another busy night of prep hoops in the area, here’s the full regional scoreboard:

  • Marion 64, Keokuk 42
  • Fort Madison 70, Oskaloosa 60
  • Clear Creek-Amana 68, Fairfield 54
  • Washington 54, South Tama County 29
  • Burlington 68, Muscatine 37

The 3A tournament trail will continue on Thursday, while Burlington will play their semifinal Friday against Iowa City West.