IHSAA Board Meeting Notes and Boy’s Basketball Rankings

Prep Sports- The IHSAA board met last Friday and made a big move for high school soccer along with releasing the rankings for the five classes of boys basketball.

Firstly, basketball and bowling had their winter classifications approved and they will be ready for the postseason come February. The wrestling postseason manual was updated due to the offseason changes such as: the elimination of sectional tournaments, addition of qualifiers to the traditional tournament, and changes to duals in state tournament site and regional qualifying.

The big kicker for the meeting was the announcement that soccer was going to add Class 4A in 2023. IHSAA executive director Tom Keating stated that the move should add more parity to the classifications,

“With the growth of soccer, particularly in our smaller schools, adding an additional class will reduce the disparity in enrollment in each class, providing for a more competitive season and state tournament series…”

The classification will be divided as such: Class 4A will be the largest 36 schools, Class 3A will be the next 40 schools, Class 2A will be the next 48 schools, and Class 1A will take the remaining schools.

Boy’s Basketball Rankings

Waukee Northwest holds the top spot in Class 4A, Cedar Rapids Xavier sits atop Class 3A, Central Lyon is the top dog in Class 2A, and Grand View Christian is the king of Class 1A. West Burlington is ranked 4th in Class 2A thanks to a strong 8-0 start to the season. WACO is 5th in Class 1A with the Warriors still undefeated to start their season.

Washington Man Sentenced for Insurance Fraud Scheme

Thomas Stephanie, age 46, of Washington, Iowa, received a deferred judgment on December 19, 2022 and was placed on probation for five years following a guilty plea on October 26, 2022, to one count of Presenting False Information, a class “D” Felony, following an investigation by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau. Stephanie was also ordered to pay restitution in the amount of $3,181.60 and a civil penalty in the amount of $1,025.

The charges against Stephanie stem from an investigation which began in June 2022. According to criminal complaints filed by the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau, Stephanie provided false statements to an insurer in connection with a workers’ compensation insurance claim. Stephanie received insurance benefits due to these false statements. Stephanie was arrested on August 10, 2022.

Iowans with information about insurance fraud are encouraged to contact the Iowa Insurance Division’s Fraud Bureau at 515-654-6556.

Sarah Swift (final arrangements)

Sarah E. Swift, 68, of Salem passed away on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at her home in Salem.

A Celebration of Sarah’s life will be held on Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at 11:30 a.m. at the Salem Friends Church in Salem with Pastor Deb Savage officiating.  The family will receive friends from 11:00 until time of the service at the church.  Following the service there will be a time of food and fellowship at the church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murphyfuneralandmonuments.com

Murphy Funeral Home of Mt. Pleasant, is caring for her arrangements.

Water Main Break

The Mt. Pleasant Municipal Utilities is currently experiencing a water main break on Mapleleaf Dr. and Lincoln Street. The water will be temporarily shut off in that area for our water department to make repairs.

The Utilities regrets any inconvenience. For questions, please call 319-385-2121 (24 hrs.).

Richard Stephen Lindell (final arrangements)

Richard Stephen Lindell, age 80, of Mount Pleasant, passed away Sunday, October 23, 2022, at the Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice House in West Burlington, from complications of dementia and a fall.

Celebration of Life will be held 2:00 Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at Calvary Baptist Church in Mount Pleasant. Visitation will begin at 1:00 until service time. Rev. Zach Fischer will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the Baptist Children’s Home, Samaritan’s Purse and Southeast Iowa Regional Hospice. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Richard and his family. www.powellfuneralhomes.com

Sports, December 21st

High School Basketball

The Mt. Pleasant boys’ basketball team lost a heartbreaker at the buzzer as Burlington came out on top 56-54. It was a back-and-forth affair the entire evening with the Panthers at one point holding a 10-point lead. However, the Grayhounds were up two points heading into the last quarter of play and they were ready to put it away until Payton Hagans was fouled and sent to the line down 53-52 with four seconds to go. Hagans made both of the one-and-one free throws, but the Grayhounds would spoil the day for the Panthers making a three with no time on the clock to win. Hagans led Mt. Pleasant with 19 points. The Panthers are now 5-3 on the season and fell to 3-1 in conference play.

The girls’ team clobbered the Grayhounds at home 49-13 as the Panther defense allowed only 6 points in the first half. Andrea Lopreato led the scoring with 16 points and Tristian Shull aided the effort with 11 points. Both teams will host New London January 2nd with the girls starting at 6 pm.

The Winfield-Mt. Union Wolves girls’ basketball team continued their trail of dominance defeating Highland 57-23 as the Wolves did not allow a point in the first quarter. They moved to 10-0 on the season after the win. The girls’ team will travel to Lone Tree January 6th and the boys’ team will face off against Hillcrest Academy on January 3rd at 7:30 pm.

Danville swept the night against Cardinal with the girls’ team winning 60-45 and the boys’ team crushing the Comets 69-30. The Bears will host West Burlington January 6th with the girls starting at 6 pm and the boys to follow.

The WACO girls basketball team took over in the fourth quarter outscoring Lone Tree 21 to 5 leading to the 61-35 victory. The Warriors next game will be January 3rd at home against Louisa-Muscatine with the girls starting at 6 pm and the boys at 7:30 pm.

The New London Tigers girls’ team’s next game is January 1st against Van Buren County.

The Holy Trinity Catholic Crusaders will have to wait until January 6th to host Central Lee with the girls going at 6:30 pm.

High School Wrestling

The Mt. Pleasant boys team will be back in action January 12th when they travel to face off with Washington. The girls team will compete at the Highland Tournament January 6th.

High School Bowling

The Mt. Pleasant Panthers girls and boys teams next competition will be January 5th against Washington at the Iris Bowling Center.

Iowa Wesleyan Athletics

The men’s basketball team, now 14-1 and rocking a 13-game winning streak, will have to wait until January 6th to compete against Crowley’s Ridge College for a CAC Classic.

The women’s basketball team will look to have Coach Williamson break the record for most career victories in Iowa Wesleyan history December 29th on the road against Bellevue University for the Bellevue Classic at 12:30 pm.

The women’s wrestling team will compete December 29th and 30th at the Soldier Salute Tournament.

The men’s wrestling team will have to wait until next year to wrestle at Central Methodist University on January 10th.

The Tiger’s next indoor meet will be the Dutch Athletics Classic on January 14th.

This Day in Sports History

1891 – First game of basketball, based on rules created by James Naismith, played by 18 students in Springfield, Massachusetts.

1937 – Chicago Blackhawks left wing Paul Thompson becomes first player in NHL history to score a goal against his brother; scores on goaltender Cecil Thompson of the Boston Bruins with just 9 seconds left in regulation; Bruins win though, 2-1.

1969 – Vince Lombardi (Washington Commanders) coached his last football game, a 20-10 loss to the Cowboys in Dallas, for a 7-5-2 season and 105-35-6 career record.

Stanley E. Hill

Stanley E. Hill, age 92, of Mount Pleasant, died Sunday, December 18, 2022, at Park Place Elder Living.

Stan was born July 11, 1930, in rural Trenton, the son of John and Bertha (Christner) Hill. He attended the one room school house at White Oak through the eighth grade. He received his GED at Ft. Leonard Wood Armed Forces Institute. In 1950, Stan enlisted in the United States Army 11th Airborne Division for three years. On December 27, 1950, Stan married Norma Weigert, the couple had six children, and later divorced. He later married Tina Smith on July 18, 1987.

Stan enlisted in the US Army Reserves Co B, 495th Engineer Battalion in 1955, and retired as a Major in 1990. He worked full time for the US Army Reserves as a civil service technician from 1982, until he retired in 1990.

Stan was very active in the Mount Pleasant community, holding several city positions, as well as serving on the volunteer fire department and city council. In 1954, Stan became an officer with Mount Pleasant Police Department. After four years, he was called to work at the Post Office until 1970. Stan was co-chair to create the Avenue of Flags in 1972. He was the first director of the Public Works Department in 1974, holding the position until 1982. Stan was appointed the mayor of Mount Pleasant from 1993 – 1999. He helped to establish the Henry County Veterans Memorial, which was dedicated in 1994. The Henry County Pioneer Cemetery was very important to Stan, he was a chairperson on their committee for 15 years.

Stan was a member of American Legion Post 58 for 66 years and a member of the Faith Lutheran Church since 1964. In his spare time, he played guitar and sang with the Troubadours. Baseball was a passion of Stan’s, he served on the Mount Pleasant Little League Association for 23 years, helping to create the complex we see today.

Stan is survived by his wife Tina; six children, Beverly (Dave) Lundgren of New London, Pamela Parcel of Mount Pleasant, Tom (Sue) Hill of Iowa City, Gerald Hill of Iowa City, Jim (Beth) Hill of Iowa City, David (Susan) Hill of Omaha, NE; three stepchildren Kevin (Kim) Smith of Earlville, John (Ann) Smith of Dubuque, Kristina (Dan) Roth of Galena, IL; 11 grandchildren, 8 step grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, 9 step great grandchildren, 2 great great granddaughters; and sister Melva Sammons of Mount Pleasant.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson Clint Taylor; step grandson Chad Roth; son-in-law Reggie Parcel; 8 siblings, Lester Hill, Mina Crile, Leola Whitney, Carl Hill, Max Hill, Jay Hill, Kenneth Hill, and Florence Wesley.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 pm, Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at the Faith Lutheran Church. Rev. Michael Scudder will officiate. Military Rites will be conducted by the Henry County Honor Guard. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am until the time of service. Burial will be at a later date in the Forest Home Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Faith Lutheran Church, EveryStep Hospice, Avenue of Flags or American Legion Post 58. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Stan and his family. www.powellfuneralhomes

 

Linda J. Stropes

Linda J. Stropes, 76, of Mount Pleasant, died Monday, December 19, 2022, at Wapello Specialty Care.

Linda was born on April 17, 1946, in Illinois, the daughter of Morley and June Hinderliter. She graduated from high school and began working in the nursing field. Linda also had an in-home daycare for many years. On December 9, 1995, Linda was united in marriage to William Stropes in New Boston, Illinois. She was a member of Faith Christian Outreach Church.

Linda is survived by three daughters Agape-Rose Stropes of Winfield, Charity Lynn Stropes, Carlene Rhoades; son Michael Nelson; three step-sons Tim Stropes, David Stropes, and Mark Stropes.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Jeff Nelson and daughter Sara Nelson.

According to Linda’s wishes her body has been cremated and no services will be held at this time. The Olson-Powell Memorial Chapel is caring for Linda and her family.  www.powellfuneralhomes.com