High School Basketball
Mt. Pleasant hosted Washington last night in a conference showdown and the night was a wash with the girls falling 40-29, while the boys took their game 71-54. In the girls’ game, Mt. Pleasant took a 20 to 19 lead into halftime as their defense held the Demons to only three second quarter points. However, Washington responded to the challenge and outscored the Panthers 15 to 4 in the third quarter. This happened in spite of Mt. Pleasant collecting six more offensive rebounds in the contest. Juliana Burns led the Panthers with 11 points in the effort.
The boys game featured a similar story with Washington leading 19 to 16 at the end of the first quarter, but then the Panthers and more specifically, Payton Hagans, caught on fire. Hagans finished the night with 31 points, which included seven three-pointers. Christian Stacy had a nice night with 18 points. Nate Stroud added 7 points to the effort and Payson Coleman was the one to dribble out the clock on a night that Mt. Pleasant honored their seniors and head coach Eric Rawson talked about his trio of leaders after the game. The Panthers will host Mediapolis today with the girls playing at 2 pm.
The Mediapolis girls’ team saw Grace Holsteen drop 21 points, which included five three pointers, as the Bulldogs took down Burlington Notre Dame 64-45.
Holy Trinity Catholic swept Van Buren County last night with the girls winning 56-25 to extend their win streak to 10 games, while the boys dominated 69-22. Luke Hellige led the effort with 26 points followed by Layne Rung’s 18 points. The Warriors will face off against Clark County today with the girls playing at 2:30 pm at home.
The Holy Trinity Catholic girls’ team will travel to Danville on Monday, January 29th, at 6 pm. The boys’ team will take on Mediapolis on Monday at home at 7:30 pm.
The Danville girls’ team extended their win streak to 12 games last night as the Bears defeated Central Lee 70-30. However, the Central Lee boys’ team snuck past Danville 51-50. The Hawks will travel to take on Keokuk today with the girls game starting at 4 pm.
Danville will compete against West Burlington on Tuesday, January 30th, with the girls scheduled to start the night at 6 pm.
The WACO girls’ team outscored Hillcrest Academy 17 to 9 in the fourth quarter to come out with the 48-42 win last night. Emma Wagler cashed in for a game high 18 points. The boys’ team rode off the momentum of Colton Leicthy’s 17 points to defeat the Ravens 64-53. The Warriors will face off against Wapello today with game one scheduled for 6 pm on the road.
The Winfield-Mt. Union girls’ team started the game strong, but the Wolves could not knock off Columbus as the Wildcats won 43-37. The boys’ team clobbered the Wildcats 76-12 as Abram Edwards tallied a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Winfield-Mt. Union will take on Highland on Tuesday on the road with the girls leading off the night at 6 pm.
The New London boys’ team fell to West Burlington last night 87-48. The Tigers will host Burlington Notre Dame on Tuesday with game one at 6 pm.
High School Wrestling
The Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union, WACO, and New London boys’ teams will compete at the conference tournament today at Burlington Notre Dame.
Mt. Pleasant will compete in a tournament hosted by Fairfield today.
Girls wrestling had their Super Regionals yesterday and here are some of our local wrestlers that punched their ticket to the state tournament. To qualify for the tournament, a wrestler had to finish top four in their respective weight class.
In Region 5, Hailey Kemper of Fort Madison fell in the first place match to Violet Diaz of Denver to take second place in the 100-pound weight class. Also for the Bloodhounds, Mara Smith claimed second place in the 125-pound weight class.
Columbus/Winfield-Mt. Union will see two wrestlers get an opportunity at the state tournament as Josie Nelson won her third place match against Emma York of Cedar Rapids Jefferson by fall in the 140-pound weight class and Lecet Quiroz grabbed fourth place in the 155-pound weight class after falling by a 7-6 decision in the third place match.
In Region 6, Wapello will have two wrestlers at the state tournament as Kenadee Helscher finished in fourth place in the 100-pound weight class and Tatum Wolford enters the tournament with a perfect record as she won her first place match by fall in the 155-pound weight class.
WACO’s Rylee Rice will head to Coralville after placing fourth in the 110-pound weight class.
Two Southeast Conference wrestlers managed to make the state tournament in the 145-pound weight class as Shariah Hart of Burlignton took third place and Jalyiah Gardner of Keokuk grabbed fourth place after defeating Addy McGraw of Alburnett by a 7-3 decision. Additionally, Kiara Rodriguez of Burlington finished in second place in the 235-pound weight class.
Lastly, Samantha Lyons of Fairfield defeated Josie Bishop of Ankeny by a 3-0 decision to take 3rd place in the 170-pound weight class in region 3.
The state tournament will begin on Thursday, February 1st, with the morning session starting at 10 am. KILJ will bring live results.
High School Bowling
Mt. Pleasant will travel to take on Keokuk on Tuesday, January 30th.
College Basketball
The #5 Iowa women’s team will look to get back in the win column today at 1 pm in a home matchup against Nebraska.
The Iowa State women’s team will look to pull off another upset against #24 West Virginia today at 1 pm on the road.
The #23 Iowa State men’s team’s will take on #7 Kansas at home today at 12:30 pm. Catch the game on KILJ AM 1130.
The Iowa men’s team will face off against Michigan today at 4 pm in a road matchup. Catch the game on KILJ 105.5 FM
This Day in Sports History
1969 – Chuck Noll is named head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the youngest coach in NFL history at the time.
1989 – Detroit Red Wings center Steve Yzerman becomes the 4th NHL player to record 100 points in 50 games or less with a goal and 2 assists as the Red Wings beat Toronto, 8-1.
1991 – Super Bowl XXV, Tampa Stadium, Tampa, FL: the New York Giants beat the Buffalo Bills, 20-19; MVP: Ottis Anderson, NY Giants, RB. Scott Norwood’s game-winning kick sails wide right for the Bills.