Sports, January 25th

Boys’ Prep Basketball: IHSAA Releases District Basketball Assignments

District play is a little over two weeks away yet, but the Iowa High School Athletic Association has wasted no time announcing this year’s assignments — not matchups or dates — for the upcoming tournament trail.

In the area, the 1A assignment look packed full of incredible matchups.

District 9 and District 10 are where the majority of area programs have been slotted.

In District 9, No. 10 Danville and Winfield-Mount Union will continue to jockey for the No. 1 seed. Danville is 13-1 and under the direction of the Soukup brothers, have been electric.

They get a box office matchup on Friday with 11-1 New London — a game that will undoubtedly go a long way in determining seeding in February.

Winfield-Mount Union appears to be the other strong competitor in District 9.

The Wolves, led by former all-stater Klay Edwards, are 14-1 on the year and led by two of the best players in the area in Abram Edwards and Cam Buffington.

Both players are averaging double-doubles.

Also in District 9 are Columbus, Highland, Holy Trinity, Lone Tree, Wapello, Notre Dame and Hillcrest Academy.

In District 10, New London and WACO are the two strongest teams on paper.

New London, led by Blaise Porter and Kade Benjamin, dropped their first game of the season on Saturday to WACO, potentially pushing the Tigers down the seed line.

Again, they do get a matchup with Danville on Friday night — which with a win could propel them back up into the top seed discussion.

WACO has backed up a remarkable football season with a really good basketball season, as well. The Warriors are athletic, long and rangy and are 12-3 heading into a scrap tonight with Van Buren County.

Other clubs in District 10 include BGM, Tri-County, Sigourney, Pekin, Keota, English Valleys, Iowa Valley and Montezuma.

In Class 2A, District 12, Mediapolis will try to make noise. The Bulldogs are 9-3 on the year and play a defensive minded game that will keep them in any game. Unfortunately in District 12, they’ll need to knock off No. 3 Mid-Prairie, who are 14-0 on the year.

Central Lee, West Burlington and Van Buren County are all regional teams that also will compete in 2A-12.

District play is set to begin on February 11th.

Boys’ Prep Basketball: Latest AP Poll Announced

The latest Associated Press Top 10 polls have been released with several area teams being recognized.

1A

  1. Grand View Christian
  2. Remsen St. Mary’s
  3. North Linn
  4. AHSTW
  5. Gladbrook-Reinbeck
  6. Lake Mills
  7. Martensdale-St. Mary’s
  8. Easton valley
  9. Mason City Newman
  10. Danville

2A

  1. Monticello
  2. Boyden-Hull
  3. Mid-Prairie
  4. Aplington-Parkersburg
  5. Western Christian
  6. Van Meter
  7. Central Lyon
  8. Williamsburg
  9. Camanche
  10. Central Decatur

3A

  1. Fort Madison 
  2. Washington 
  3. Harlan
  4. Dallas Center-Grimes
  5. Decorah
  6. Humboldt
  7. Central DeWitt
  8. Pella
  9. Spencer
  10. Marion

4A

  1. Ames
  2. Pleasant Valley
  3. Waukee Northwest
  4. Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln
  5. Cedar Rapids Kennedy
  6. Cedar Falls
  7. Cedar Rapids Prairie
  8. Ankeny
  9. Johnston
  10. Iowa City West

Prep Basketball: Tuesday Slate Busy as Postseason Draws Nearer

It will be a busy night in the Super Conference tonight with girl-boy doubleheaders in the region.

Here’s a look at tonight’s full schedule:

  • Mediapolis at Winfield-Mount Union
  • New London at West Burlington
  • WACO at Van Buren County
  • Columbus at Pekin
  • Wapello at Lone Tree
  • Louisa-Muscatine at Highland
  • Holy Trinity at Danville
  • Notre Dame at Central Lee

In the Southeast Conference, No. 1 Fort Madison is at Clark County while the Keokuk girls’ will welcome in West Hancock.

Mount Pleasant is off until Friday in a Southeast Conference home-and-home with Keokuk.

Women’s College Basketball: Wesleyan’s West Tabbed CAC Player of the Week

Iowa Wesleyan senior forward Brittany West has been named the CAC Player of the Week, the league announced yesterday.

The Tiger star averaged 23.5 points and six rebounds over two weekend games Haskell Indian Nations and Wilberforce.

This is the first weekly honor for the Tigers since rejoining the NAIA and becoming a member of the CAC.

West and Wesleyan will travel to to take Bacone College this Friday, with a 2:00 p.m. start.

The Tigers are 12-4 on the season.

Women’s College Basketball: Clark Earns Fourth-Consecutive B1G POW:

University of Iowa sophomore Caitlin Clark was named Big Ten Player of the Week, the conference announced Monday.

It is her fourth consecutive selection.

The West Des Moines, Iowa, native averaged a near triple double in two wins over Minnesota and Illinois last week with 26.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and nine assists per game.

Clark and the Hawks take on Penn State tonight in a Big Ten clash.

Tip is scheduled for 5:00 p.m.