High School Track
The Washington boys’ team will host the Steve Roth Relays tomorrow, March 27th, with Fairfield, Mediapolis, Wapello, Mt. Pleasant, Danville, West Burlington/Notre Dame, Columbus, WACO, and Winfield-Mt. Union all competing.
The Danville, Fairfield, Mediapolis, New London, WACO, Winfield-Mt. Union, West Burlington/Notre Dame, and Mt. Pleasant girls’ teams will meet up in Burlington for the Falcon Relays on April 1st.
College Signings
A pair of Panthers will be heading off to Davenport to continue their athletic careers at St. Ambrose University in the fall. Payton Walker was the first to sign his National Letter of Intent yesterday to play football for the Bees.
Walker was a star on the gridiron for Mt. Pleasant, compiling 180.5 total tackles, 22 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries, and two interceptions on defense, while rambling for 1,100 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in his three years at the varsity level. He took home 1st Team All-District linebacker this past season, the position he plans to play at St. Ambrose. He plans on studying Sports Management as he eyes a career as an Athletic Director. Walker gives the credit to the Panther program for wanting to continue his football career,
“Oh, it’s just been amazing. Probably the best four years of my life right here playing football here. My best memories are with the guys out there on that field. So, I kind of realized that as soon as I was having fun out there, I just wanted to keep doing it for as long as I can.”
After practice, Ava English held her announcement that she would be joining the Bees track and field team as a thrower. English has added on to the Panther throwing legacy after attending the state championship for shot put in her sophomore season, finishing in 16th place with a toss of 34 feet and 11.75 inches, despite having shoulder surgery during the offseason. It was through that adversity that she was pushed towards St. Ambrose,
“I kind of just had my heart set on St. Ambrose,” said Ava English. “I had shoulder surgery in 2022 and so I went to my physical therapist. I was like, ‘this is what I want to do.’ Where do you recommend? She’s like St. Ambrose. So, I decided. ‘OK. St. Ambrose or nothing.’ St. Ambrose or SCC. So, I went, and toured and I was like, this is it. This is. This is going to be my home.”
English has an early season mark of 34 feet and 6.75 inches through the indoor season, as her goal for her senior campaign is a return trip to Des Moines for the state championships.
High School Basketball
The 2025 Pizza Ranch All-Star Game is scheduled for Saturday, March 29th, at Dallas Center-Grimes High School with three of our local players and a coach making the trip to compete.
On the girls’ Southeast team, WACO’s Ella Huisenga, who ranked 2nd on the team in points and 1st in rebounds, earned a spot and accompanying her will be her coach Lisa Graber. The Southeast squad will face off against the Northwest team for the first round at 10:45 am.
On the boys’ Southeast team, a pair from the Southeast Iowa Super Conference South Division will join forces in West Burlington’s Mason Watkins and Luke Hellige of Holy Trinity Catholic. Watkins and Hellige both finished within the top 10 in the state in points per game and as their respective program’s all-time leading scorer. The Southeast and Northwest will square off for their first round matchup at noon.
Southeastern Community College
The softball team will host a doubleheader against Marshalltown Community College today.
The baseball team will hit the road today to take on Ellsworth Community College in a doubleheader.
College Basketball
Iowa State’s Audi Crooks was named one of the 50 finalists for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-America team yesterday. For the season, Crooks averaged 23.4 points per game, which led the Big 12. Crooks was named Third Team All-America by the Associated Press and the USBWA as she was the first Cyclone sophomore to be named to an All-America team by either outlet.
March Madness
The KILJ bracket challenge, sponsored by The Press Box and Wiley’s Interior Furnishings and Design, is officially underway with nearly 50 brackets submitted with the top three set to receive prizes.
The standings have been updated through the first two rounds. For a look at the top 10 breakdown, follow this link: KILJ Bracket Challenge Standings
The standings will be updated after the Elite Eight, Final Four, and championship matchup. The Sweet 16 will be back in action tomorrow, March 27th.
This Day in Sports History
1917 – Stanley Cup Final, Seattle Ice Arena, Seattle, WA: the Seattle Metropolitans (PCHA) beat the Montreal Canadiens (NHL), 9-1 for a 3-1 series victory; becoming the first US team to win the Stanley Cup.
1952 – 14th NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: Kansas beats St. John’s, 80-63; first tournament to have a true “Final Four” format.
1979 – 41st NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship: Michigan State beats Indiana State, 75-64 for their first National Championship; marks the start of the rivalry between future Hall of Famers Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Additionally, it was the highest-rated game in the history of televised college basketball.