High School Basketball Honors
Todd Borrison, the Mediapolis head coach, was named Coach of the Year for Class 3A Region 6 by the Iowa Basketball Coaches Association. Borrison led an all senior starting lineup to a perfect 24-0 record to punch their ticket to the program’s 24th trip to the state tournament and first since 2015. Borrison sits at 596 career victories and was also named Southeast Iowa Super Conference South (SEISC-South) Coach of the Year. Coach Borrison detailed his favorite moment of the season,
“Yeah, well, for sure, I think winning at PCM. It was one of those games where our toughness got challenged, and it got real physical. And I just thought our kids really stepped up. And I always told them, I said, and I was talking to them about this first round game, to me, the nervy game, the tough game is getting here, and then winning that regional final. And for them to do it the way they did it on the road at #6 PCM, that really stands out to me.”
On the boys’ side, Dan Kies of Burlington Notre Dame claimed Coach of the Year honors for Class 1A Substate 5. His 200th career victory proved to be the win to push Notre Dame to their first state tournament in 17 years. While in Des Moines, the Nikes added their first tournament victory since 1981, as Shay Stephens was named to the All-Tournament team. Kies was also named SEISC-South Coach of the Year.
Being put on the All-Substate team for Class 1A Substate 5 was Stephens and a pair from Holy Trinity Catholic in Layne Rung and Jack Ragar, who was one of only two freshmen to find a spot on the All-Substate team for all four classes. In Class 2A, Max Griffin of Mediapolis and West Burlington’s Ayden Figuereo made the All-Substate 5 team.
High School Track and Field
Fairfield will compete at the Hilltop Co-Ed Invitational today.
The Central Lee boys’ team will head to Central College on Thursday, March 19th, for an indoor meet.
The Mt. Pleasant, West Burlington, Mediapolis, and Danville girls’ teams will travel to Central College for an indoor meet on Saturday, March 21st.
Southeastern Community College
The baseball team split their weekend slate against Delgado Community College, losing 7-6 in extra innings for game one, and bouncing back to win game two, 4-3. Efrain Osario, Jackson Petsche, and Nile Sinn each tabbed two RBIs throughout the weekend. The Blackhawks will head to Baton Rouge Community College today.
The softball team had their home doubleheader scheduled for today canceled. The Blackhawks will take on Dyersburg State Community College on Wednesday, March 18th, for a road doubleheader.
College Wrestling
WACO alum Jonah Clark of Loras College competed in the NCAA Division III wrestling championships over the weekend in the 285-pound weight class and defeated his opponent by major decision to claim 3rd place. The Duhawk collected a 5-1 record for the tournament.
March Madness
The KILJ Bracket Challenge brought to you by The Press Box is back for the 2026 March Madness men’s bracket with the same rules as last year. A printable bracket was posted to KILJ’s Facebook page. The bracket must be filled out and turned in to sports@kilj.com or our station by the end of the day Wednesday, March 18th.
For a full list of rules and prizes follow this link: KILJ Bracket Challenge
College Basketball
The Iowa women’s team will be the #2-seed and will clash with #15 FDU on Saturday, March 21st, at 3 pm.
The Iowa State women’s team claimed the #8 seed and will play #9 Syracuse on Saturday at 4:30 pm.
The Iowa State men’s team will be the #2-seed in the Midwest Region as they will take on #15 Tennessee State on Friday, March 20th, at 1:50 pm.
The Iowa men’s team will look to pull off the upset as the #9-seed for the South Region with a first round matchup against #8 Clemson on Friday at 5:50 pm.
This Day in Sports History
1876 – Nelly Saunders and Rose Harland fight the first female boxing match (NY).
1955 – NHL President Clarence Campbell suspends Montreal Canadiens superstar Maurice “Rocket” Richard for the remainder of the season after he viciously attacked an opponent; riots ensued in Montreal.
1994 – American figure skater Tonya Harding pleads guilty to felony attack on former Olympic teammate Nancy Kerrigan.