Prep Basketball: Two Local Squads Find Themselves in the IHSAA’s Top 10

By Slaten Swords · Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at 12:06 am CDT

IHSAA- The Iowa High School Athletic Association released their first edition of the boys’ basketball rankings for all four classes on Monday, January 6th, and a pair of local teams claimed a spot in the top 10 for their respective classes.

Class 2A

Western Christian is the top team in Class 2A, despite being tied with #5 Unity Christian with the greatest number of losses in the top 10 with both yielding two losses. Grand View Christian took a brief hiatus from the state tournament last season, but has appeared to find their footing, boasting a 9-0 record and the #4 spot.

West Burlington also enters the list at #6 with a perfect 9-0 record. The Falcons have perhaps been more impressive than a season ago, averaging 82 points per game on 55% shooting from the field with a point average point differential of 34.3. West Burlington still boasts one of the best collections of guards in the state with seniors Mason Watkins (29.3 points per game), Quincy Collins (18.6 points per game), and Kobe Davis (10.8 points per game).

So far, the Falcons’ most notable win came against Holy Trinity Catholic in a 68-59 final. West Burlington will be tested on Tuesday, January 7th, against Burlington Notre Dame in a road matchup.

Class 1A

It is the usual suspects sitting atop the rankings with Marquette Catholic, Madrid, and St. Edmond grabbing the top three spots, respectively, with unblemished records. #6 Holy Trinity Catholic may not have a perfect record, but they have certainly earned the respect of their peers.

The Crusaders are 6-1 on the season with that loss to West Burlington. Beyond that, Holy Trinity Catholic has tabbed four wins by double digits and a 55-54 squeaker past the Notre Dame Nikes. Luke Hellige has continued dominating defenses, averaging 25.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game as Adam Sobczak dishes out 8.4 assists per game and 2.9 steals per game.

Holy Trinity Catholic will travel to Mediapolis on Tuesday with their next big game occurring on January 17th against West Burlington in a rematch from earlier in the season.

Sandra Pope

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 1:26 pm CDT

Sandra Pope, 85, passed away peacefully on December 31, 2024 in Huntley, Illinois. She was born October 1, 1939, in Burlington, Iowa, to Alfred and Edith Wilke Wasson. She graduated from Danville Iowa High School in 1957 and AIB College of Business in Des Moines, where she was a member of Alpha Iota Sorority.

Sandra had a distinguished career as an Executive Secretary and later as a realtor, earning honors such as the RE/MAX Hall of Fame award. She was a dedicated volunteer for organizations including the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, Sparrow’s Nest, and the McHenry County Food Bank.

Sandra cherished time with family and friends, enjoyed reading, playing the piano, scrapbooking, and cheering on Chicago sports teams.
She is survived by her children, Jeffery Pope, Lori (Wolfgang) Stange, Kelli (Philip) Claps, and Ryan (Jennifer) Pope; grandchildren, Gunter Stange, Deiter Stange, Allie Brazelton, Addison Claps, and Lydia Pope; her sister, Carolyn (Dick) Horn; nephews, Rick (Esther) Horn and David (Kristy) Horn; and many cousins.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 9, 2025 from 4 until the time of service at 7pm at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake, Illinois. On Saturday, January 11, procession will leave at 9:30 am from Elliott Chapel, New London, for a graveside service at 10am at Jaggar Cemetery, rural Danville.  Pastor Jacob Yocum will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association, or The Senior Care Volunteer Network in Crystal Lake.

Sandra will be remembered for her kindness, generosity, and love for those around her. Please visit www.davenportfamily.com or www.elliottfuneralchapel.com  to leave a fond memory of her on her tribute page.

Henry County Public Health Board Meeting Jan 8th

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 12:30 pm CDT

January 8th, 2025 12:30 p.m.

Henry County Public Health- Conference room

Mount Pleasant, Iowa

Agenda

  1. CALL TO ORDER
  2. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MEETING MINUTES 11/20/2024*
  • ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT
    1. Statistics
  1. PUBLIC COMMENTS
  2. PUBLIC HEALTH REPORT
  3. Re-appointment of members Dr. T. Moeller and L. Roth
    1. Nomination of chairperson and vice chairperson*
  • Signatory authority*
  • BUDGET review and approval*
  1. Review bylaws and conflict of interest statement*
  2. OLD BUSINESS
  3. NEW BUSINESS
    1. Approve change of job description for K. Carr*
    2. Approve change of job description for A. Riley*
    3. Other new business
  • ANNOUNCEMENTS AND ADJOURNMENT
    1. NEXT MEETING

Late Night Traffic Stop Turns To Police Chase Through Mount Pleasant Neighborhoods

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 12:00 pm CDT

On January 4, approximately 2:15 in the morning, Mount Pleasant police attempted to traffic stop on a silver 2015 KIA Sedona operated by Tylor Ward of Mount Pleasant at the intersection of Grand Ave and Maple Leaf Drive for multiple traffic violations.

Tylor fled from the stop at a high rate of speed, accessing 60 miles an hour in a 25 mile an hour zone on Maple Leaf Drive. Tylor continued to flee at a high rate of speed through residential streets until he crashed into a legally parked 2016 KIA Sorento in the 1100 block of East Madison Street. Tylor then fled on foot but was apprehended by officers in the 100 block of Brazelton street.

Upon investigation it was learned that Tylor was operating the Sedona without the permission of the owner. Both vehicles sustained disabling damage, and the Sedona had airbags deploy. The Sedona was impounded and searched with permission of the owner where two bottles of liquor were located that were later learned to have been stolen by Tylor from Casey’s just before he was pulled over in the traffic stop.

Tylor was transported to the Henry County jail, where he’s booked on the following charges: eluding criminal mischief second degree operating without owner’s consent, interference with official acts, theft in the fifth degree, and multiple traffic citations.

The Mount Pleasant Police Department was assisted in the investigation by the Henry County Sheriff’s office and Breuer’s towing. Criminal charges were merely accusations and defended as innocent until proving guilty.

Sports, January 6th

By Slaten Swords · Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 6:30 am CDT

High School Basketball

In a battle between two Southeast Iowa Super Conference North rivals, WACO was able to exit Winfield-Mt. Union with a pair of wins as the girls’ held off the Wolves’ comeback attempt to win 46-45, while the boys’ pulled out a 51-42 victory. In the girls’ game, Winfield-Mt. Union was led by Kynlee Buffington’s 23 point, 16 rebound, and 7 block performance, while the boys had Jake Edwards cash in for 13 points. WACO had Ella Huisenga finish with 14 points and Christian Stacy collect 19 points in the win. Boys’ head coach Chayse Roth talked about the importance of the win,

“Yeah, this was huge for us. You know, they came in with one loss. We were undefeated. So, if they knock us off, we’re right there tied. So, if we wanted to stay where we wanted to be, you know, our goal was to be at the top of the North. We really had to buckle down and play big tonight, take care of the boards and keep that position on the top of the North. Where we want to be.”

Both WACO squads will look to keep their win streaks going tomorrow, January 7th, against Wapello with game one at 6 pm. 

Winfield-Mt. Union will travel to Pekin tomorrow with the girls’ team tipping off at 6 pm. 

West Burlington split their weekend matchup against Wapello with the girls’ team falling 43-42 in overtime as Macey Kuntz led the Arrows with 15 points, while the boys’ team steamrolled Wapello 87-45 as Mason Watkins continued tearing defenses apart with a game-high 35 points. 

Burlington Notre Dame will take on West Burlington tomorrow with the girls playing at 6 pm. 

The Fairfield girls’ team dropped a close one to Davis County over the weekend 40-39. The Trojans will face off against Centerville at home tonight with the girls playing first at 6 pm. 

The Danville girls’ team had their five-game win streak snapped over the weekend by English Valleys 54-35. Alaina Gourley finished the night with an 18 point and 11 rebound double-double. The boys’ team handled English Valleys 72-44 behind Dillan Mason’s 21 points. The Bears will compete against New London tomorrow on the road with the night starting at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm. 

Mt. Pleasant will take on New London tonight at home with the girls’ teams starting the night at 6 pm. KILJ 105.5 FM, kilj.com, will be on the call with the pregame show at 5:45 pm.  

The Central Lee girls’ team will travel to Burlington tonight at 6:30 pm. 

Columbus will host Louisa-Muscatine tomorrow with game one at 6 pm. 

Van Buren County will take on Central Lee at home tomorrow with the first game at 6 pm. 

Mediapolis will tango with Holy Trinity Catholic tomorrow with the girls playing at 6 pm at home. 

High School Wrestling

The Burlington Notre Dame boys’ team made the trip to Davenport Assumption over the weekend and finished 2-1, defeating the Saints 42-29 and St. Patrick 49-23, but fell to Geneseo 38-29. Colt Boyles, C.J. Davis, Kaiden Dietzenbach, and Kael Cook each went 3-0 for the meet. The Nikes will travel to Maquoketa for a tournament on Saturday, January 11th.

The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union and Mediapolis boys’ teams both participated in the Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont duals tournament over the weekend. The Wildcats picked up a win against North Mahaska 44-31, but fell to Atlantic and Creston. Kason Dopler was the lone wrestler to finish undefeated for the three matches. 

Mediapolis lost their four duals as Kyler Crow and Peyton Johnson managed to go 4-0 for each of their matches. 

Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union will compete at the Ottumwa Invitational on Friday, January 10th. 

The WACO girls’ and boys’ teams participated in the BGM Holiday tournament over the weekend and the boys’ team finished the meet with a 2-3 record. Louden Huisenga, Ian Maize, and Gage Samo did not drop a match. For the girls’ team, Cayten Coakley led the way with a 5th place finish in the 125-pound weight class. 

The girls’ Keokuk Invite was rescheduled for this past weekend with a couple of our local teams making the trip. Mt. Pleasant was led by Zenlynn Lee’s 2nd place finish in the 145-pound weight class as she lost to Peggy Miller of Washington by a 9-4 decision. Fairfield’s Alyia Abbot collected a 3rd place finish with a win by fall over Mt. Pleasant’s Paris Phosy. 

The Mt. Pleasant, Mediapolis, Van Buren County, and WACO girls’ teams will compete at the Highland tournament on Friday.

Fairfield will host a quad tomorrow, January 7th, with Wapello making the trip. 

The New London boys’ team will travel to Durant on Thursday, January 9th, to compete in a meet.

The Mt. Pleasant and WACO boys’ teams will travel to Highland for the Gary Curtis Invitational on Saturday.

High School Bowling

Mt. Pleasant will host Washington on Thursday, January 9th. 

Southeastern Community College

The #20 men’s basketball team will take on Western Iowa Tech at home on Wednesday, January 8th, with tip-off scheduled for 7 pm. 

College Basketball

The #3 Iowa State men’s team pulled away in the second half against #25 Baylor over the weekend 74-55 to start Big 12 play off with a win. Keshon Gilbert led the team with a double-double, cashing in for 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. The Cyclones will compete against Utah tomorrow, January 7th, at 7 pm at home. 

The Iowa men’s team will host Nebraska tomorrow at 7 pm. 

The #23 Iowa women’s team lost a top-25 matchup to #8 Maryland yesterday 74-66. Lucy Olsen tallied 19 points in the losing effort. The Hawkeyes will take on Illinois on Thursday, January 9th, at 6 pm on the road.

The Iowa State women’s team is now 1-3 in their last four games after dropping their matchup against Utah yesterday 75-67. Audi Crooks finished the game with 29 points to go along with eight rebounds. The Cyclones will face off against Arizona State on Wednesday, January 8th, at 7:30 pm on the road. 

This Day in Sports History

1681 – First recorded boxing match is engineered by Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle; his butler takes on his butcher and the butcher wins. 

1980 – The Philadelphia Flyers set the longest unbeaten streak in North American sports history with 35 consecutive games without a loss.

1995 – Atlanta Hawks’ coach Lenny Wilkens passes the legendary Red Auerbach to become the NBA’s all-time winningest coach, with 939 career victories.

Mount Pleasant Airport Improvements Coming in 2025

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 6:20 am CDT

Mount Pleasant Mayor, Steve Brimhall paid a visit to KILJ last week for the Generation Gap.

Mayor Brimhall talked about several improvement projects that are planned for 2025. The first thing he discussed was the Airport improvement project.

Mayor Brimhall says the mount pleasant airport is a key facility for southeast Iowa, bringing in lots of  company CEO’s, agriculture flights for crop work, and private travel. Mayor sounds confident the project will start and finish in 2025.

Henry County Conservation Department Takes Archery Team To First Tournament

By Hayden Douglas · Monday, January 6th, 2025 at 5:53 am CDT

The Henry County Conservation department has been working with a few local schools and organizations to start an archery program. NASP is the National Archery in Schools Program, and over 20 students have been in the club for a few weeks now.

Shania is the Assistant Naturalist with the Henry County Conservation department and is taking the Archery team to their first tournament.

 

Shania also mentioned that the conservation department is still in efforts to build a playground at the park. You can contact the Henry count conservation office if you would like to become involved or make a donation.