Sports, February 15th

By Nathan Bloechl · Tuesday, February 15th, 2022 at 12:45 pm CDT

Boys’ Prep Basketball: Porter, Swanson Lead New London to Easy Win

New London 85, English Valleys 43

New London outscored English Valleys 26-12 in the second quarter, opening up a 21-point lead at halftime, rolling to an 85-43 win over the Bears in a 1A District 10 quarterfinal.

Blaise Porter was electric from the game’s onset, scoring 11 first quarter points, surging to a game-high 25 points.

He also added five assists and five rebounds, while hitting 5-of-8 three point attempts.

Devon Swanson finished with 22 points and nine boards for New London, while Kade Benjamin added 10 points and seven rebounds.

Kaden Hall paced English Valleys with 18 points and seven boards.

New London, now 19-2, will play Thursday night at home against Iowa Valley, who took down Sigourney 45-42 last night.

That game will be begin at 7:00 p.m.

WACO 63, Keota 43 

A balanced scoring attack paced by Colton Leichty led WACO to a 20-point, 63-43 win over Keota yesterday.

Leichty led the Warriors with 13 points, while Simeon Reichenbach had 11.

Keota tied the game in the second quarter, before WACO used a large third quarter run to open the margin up.

WACO is now 18-4.

The Warriors will move to the semifinals on Thursday when they face 18-4 Montezuma.

The Braves dispatched Pekin last night 63-46.

They’ll tip at 7:00 p.m. in Wayland Thursday night.

Winfield-Mount Union 53, Highland 33 

It wasn’t pretty at times, but Winfield-Mount Union did enough to earn a 53-33 win over Highland yesterday.

The Wolves win was their 20th of the season — they now will play Hillcrest Academy in a Thursday night semifinal.

The Ravens bested Holy Trinity 61-36.

Cam Buffington had 22 points and seven rebounds to lead Winfield-Mount Union.

Abram Edwards finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while Jake Edwards chipped in with nine.

Danville 62, Lone Tree 42

Caiden Gourley had 18 points as Danville picked up a 62-42 win over Lone Tree yesterday.

The win moves Danville to the semifinals of District 9, where they’ll get Burlington Notre Dame.

Drake Johnson added 16 points, while Sawyer Nelson had 12.

Lone Tree closes their year 7-17.

Mediapolis 55, Van Buren County 34

Ben Egan finished 7-of-10 of the field for 19 points while Cole Lipper chipped in with 16 as Mediapolis rode their two stars to a 55-34 win over Van Buren County.

The loss for the Warriors closed their first season under Mount Pleasant alum Trey Magnani.

Jackson Manning had 10 points to lead Van Buren County.

Mediapolis, now 16-6, will play Mid-Prairie in a 2A-District 10 semifinal on Thursday night.

Tip is set for 7:00 p.m.

Girls’ Prep Basketball: Winfield-Mount Union Looking to Get Back to Region Semifinal

The Winfield-Mount Union girls’ basketball team is two games away from their ultimate goal.

They got off to a good start last week in a 32-point win over Hillcrest Academy and tonight, they’ll look to advance again when they host Holy Trinity a Class 1A Region 6 quarterfinal.

The Crusaders are fresh off a 74-47 first round win and enter 11-11 under head coach Tony Johnson.

Winfield-Mount Union will turn to their usual cast of characters tonight — usually a balanced approach — led by Bradie Buffington’s 15.1 points per game.

Keetyn Townsley adds just south of 10 points, while Jobey Malone is just north of nine.

Mary Kate Bendlage leads Holy Trinity with 14.6 points per game, she’s been steadily climbing the scoring ranks in her sophomore season.

Natalie Randolph adds 12.1 as the two double figure scorers for the Crusaders.

The winner of tonight’s game will get either Burlington Notre Dame or WACO in Friday’s regional semifinal.

Both games will tip at 7:00 p.m. tonight.

You can listen to Winfield-Mount Union – Holy Trinity on FM 105.5.

The KILJ Tournament Trail Pregame Show will start at 6:40 p.m.

Nathan Bloechl will have the call alongside Kent Bennett.

Other matchups tonight:

  • Pella Christian at Mediapolis
  • Louisa-Muscatine at Danville
  • Van Buren County at Regina
  • WACO at Notre Dame
  • Mount Pleasant at Pella (boys’)

Men’s College Basketball: Wesleyan’s Brown Tabbed CAC Player of the Week

Iowa Wesleyan freshman Joey Brown has been named the Continental Athletic Conference Player of the Week, the league announced yesterday.

The guard averaged 27.3 points per game last week and was nearly unstoppable in a road conference game against Lincoln Christian University (Illinois) last Tuesday with a 36-point performance.

Brown followed that up with 20 points against St. Ambrose, before dropping 26 against Clarke on Sunday.

The Miami, Florida native shot 62% from the field across those three games while canning five three-pointers.

Iowa Wesleyan closed their regular season 11-18, they’ll host the CAC men’s basketball tournament, scheduled to be played February 25th-27th in Mount Pleasant.

Men’s College Basketball: Murray Named Big Ten POW:

University of Iowa men’s basketball sophomore Keegan Murray has been named both the Naismith Trophy Player of the Week Big Ten and Co-Player of the Week on Monday. Murray shares the Big Ten honor with Geo Baker of Rutgers.

The last Iowa men’s basketball player to earn a Naismith Trophy Player of the Week honor was Luka Garza a year ago on Feb. 22, 2021.

Murray has earned the Big Ten weekly honor a program-best four times this season.

The Cedar Rapids native helped propel the Hawkeyes to a pair of comfortable wins last week at Maryland and at home against Nebraska, averaging 33.5 points and nearly seven rebounds.

Iowa will host Michigan this Thursday at 6:00 p.m.

The Wolverines are 13-10.

 

Carole Lauger

By Theresa Rose · Monday, February 14th, 2022 at 10:35 pm CDT

Carole Lauger, 78, of Swedesburg died Sunday, February 13, 2022, at the Henry County Health Center.

Carole was born August 3, 1943, in Alexandria, Virginia, the daughter of Carl and Nancy (Wilson) Owsley. She graduated from Boone High School in Orlando, Florida, and received a Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s in education from Stetson University. In September 1968, Carole was united in marriage to Gary Lauger in DeLand, Florida. She worked in special education for a few years before becoming director of a Nursery School. Carole worked in many different capacities in the years following. She was the program manager for the Heart Association, Assistant Dean at the University of Illinois School of Public Health, Director of Communications for the Department of Oncology and Comprehensive Cancer Center at Mayo Clinic, and edited the Journal of Clinical Nutrition in Palisades, New York. Carole was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Mount Pleasant and P.E.O. She enjoyed playing bridge, tennis, sailing, and most recently walking desert trails. After retiring to Swedesburg she most enjoyed hosting a reception for guests attending the annual Swedish Smorgasbord in December.

Carole is survived by her husband Gary; son Timothy and his wife Leilani and their two children, Lucas and Natalie, of Riverside, Illinois; and a sister Joan Thomas of Manhattan Beach, California.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

Funeral service will be held 10:30 am Thursday, February 17, 2022, at the First Presbyterian Church in Mount Pleasant. Pastor Trey Hegar will officiate. Burial will follow in the Swedesburg Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be held 3:00 – 6:00 pm Wednesday, February 16, 2022, at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel. A memorial fund has been established for Parkinson’s Foundation Heartland. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Dorothy Reynolds

By Theresa Rose · Monday, February 14th, 2022 at 9:13 pm CDT

Dorothy Reynolds, 88, of Mount Pleasant, died Sunday, February 13, 2022, at Savannah Heights. Services are pending at the Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel.

Ron Barron

By Theresa Rose · Monday, February 14th, 2022 at 9:10 pm CDT

Ronald James Barron, 88, of Mt. Pleasant and formerly New London, died Saturday, February 12, 2022 at his home in Mt. Pleasant.  He was born in New York on March 29, 1933 to James and Grace Parisi Barron.  He was a graduate of Port Richmond High School in New York.  Upon graduating high school he entered the service.  Ron was a hydraulic specialist in the Navy during the Korean Conflict and in his four years in the Navy he did “the world tour”.   His pastor suggested he go to a little college in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa called Iowa Wesleyan and Fred Strothman picked him up at the train station. He graduated from Iowa Wesleyan College with a degree in chemistry. One day while walking across campus, Ida Hoover saw him and said “I’m going to marry that man”.  And she did on June 14, 1957; she died March 14, 2019.

Ron was a member of New London VFW Post #7641 and the Burge Cemetery Association where he was president for many years. He enjoyed puzzles, old westerns, yardwork and time spent with his grandchildren.  He was a great athlete and played softball and also coached his children’s ball teams.

He was a chemist who worked at the IAAP in Middletown.  He then established his own business “Barron Environmental Services” and worked for the city of New London in that capacity for many years.

Survivors include his children, Scott (Sharon) Barron of Mt. Pleasant, Nicky (Scott) Boughton and Shane (Susan) Barron both of New London; seven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and one sister Lillian (Lloyd) Sloan of Forked River, New Jersey.  Besides his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter in infancy Angelite, sisters Grace and Dawn, and brothers John and James.

According to his wishes, his body has been cremated.  A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date with inurnment at Burge Cemetery, New London.  A memorial has been established for New London VFW Post #7641.  Online condolences may be left at www.elliottfuneralchapel.com.

Avenue of the Saints Enforcement Effort

By Theresa Rose · Monday, February 14th, 2022 at 8:57 pm CDT

February 15, 2022 will see District 13 Troopers with the Iowa State Patrol assisting in a Statewide Highway 218 “Avenue of the Saints” Enforcement effort.   The goal is to reduce the number of crashes on this roadway by enforcing traffic laws, disrupting criminal activity and protecting the motoring public.  The 218 Corridor will see an emphasis on Speeding and Stop Sign violations in Washington, Henry, and Lee County.    Local law enforcement partners have also committed to this effort.   Please drive safely, especially in or near intersections as you travel.

Grant Money Available for Individual Home Projects

By Theresa Rose · Monday, February 14th, 2022 at 3:05 pm CDT

Great River Housing Trust Fund has been awarded a grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank that will allow for assistance to homeowners with home rehabilitation that includes, but is not limited to windows, siding and roofs.  There are also yearly income guidelines that participants must be below to qualify for the program.  They are:

1 person-$40,250                            5 person-$62,050

2 person-$46,000                           6 person-$66,650

3 person-$51,750                             7 person-$71,250

4 person-$57,450                             8 person-$75,850

They are particularly looking for homeowners in Henry and Louisa Counties. Great Regional Planning Commission offering assistance in Henry, Des Moines, Lee and Louisa Counties.  City and County officials are members.

If you are interested or know of somebody that would be interested in participating please call Carolyn Lees at 319-753-4320 and leave your name and address or email clees@seirpc.com and you will be sent an application.

The Ways You Can Give to the Mount Pleasant Music Boosters Fundraiser Radiothon

By Theresa Rose · Monday, February 14th, 2022 at 2:00 pm CDT

Wednesday, February 16 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm tune in to KILJ, 105.5 and 98.5 FM and 1130 AM.  Here are the ways you can give to support this effort to raise money for new uniforms…..

PHONE: Call KILJ at 319-385-8728; Mt Pleasant High School Students will be answering your calls and taking your pledges over the
phone that night.

ONLINE: Go to GoFundMe.com & search Mt Pleasant Music Boosters Uniform Fundraiser.  It’s easy, safe and secure!

IN PERON: Come to KILJ and make your gift in person. Mt Pleasant High School Students will be at the station and ready to accept your
donation!  Or….

Mail Donations to:
Mt. Pleasant Music Boosters
P.O. Box 826
Mt. Pleasant, IA 5264

Prep Wrestling: 1A State Qualifiers

By Nathan Bloechl · Monday, February 14th, 2022 at 1:03 pm CDT

KILJ — The 1A State Wrestling bracket has been filled and several from the area are competing.

Here’s your 1A state qualifiers from the region:

  • 113 – Gage Burden (New London)
  • 126 – Marcel Lopez (New London)
  • 138 – Quinten Aney (Mediapolis)
  • 145 – Louden Huisenga (WACO)
  • 152 – Dominic Lopez (New London)
  • 182 – Josh Glendening (New London)
  • 220 – Jonah Clark (WACO)

1A will begin their first session on Thursday night from Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

The action will begin at 6:00 p.m. and you can listen for updates on FM 105.5 and kilj.com.