JEWELL, JACKSON NAMED 2017 WALTER CAMP ALL-AMERICANS

  IOWA CITY — University of Iowa senior linebacker Josey Jewelland junior defensive back Josh Jackson have been named to the 2017 Walter Camp All-America First Team, by the Walter Camp Foundation.

  This is the fourth straight year Iowa has had a Walter Camp All-American, and third time in four years that player was named to the first team. It is also the first time in program history Iowa has had two defensive players named first team, and third time that Iowa has had multiple Walter Camp All-Americans (two in 1985, three in 2002).

 Jewell, a native of Decorah, Iowa, was named to the first team after earning first-team honors by Big Ten coaches and media and Associated Press.  He leads the Big Ten and ranks third nationally in tackles (125 total, 11.4 per game). He was one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, and is a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and Senior CLASS Award.  Jewell was a semifinalist for the Bednarik and Butkus Awards. He was named the recipient of the Jack Lambert Award on Nov. 27.

 Jewell is the third Hawkeye in program history to have three seasons with at least 115 tackles (Larry Station 83, 84, 85; Abdul Hodge 03, 04, 05). Jewell has led the team in tackles in each of the last two seasons (126 in 2015, 124 in 2016). 

 Jewell has 426 career tackles, fifth all-time in program history.

 Jackson, a native of Corinth, Texas, is tied as the national leader with seven interceptions and earned all-conference recognition for the first time.  He leads the nation with 25 passes defended and is tied for second in interception return touchdowns (two), and pass break-ups (18).  He ranks third in interception return yards (163).  Jackson’s seven interceptions rank fourth best for a single season at Iowa, just one from tying Iowa’s single-season record (Desmond King, 2015; Lou King, 1981; Nile Kinnick, 1939).

 Jackson tied Iowa’s school record with two interception returns for touchdowns (B.J. Lowery, 2013) at Wisconsin, covering 43 and 52 yards.  The previous week, Jackson tied Iowa’s school record with three interceptions in Iowa’s 55-24 win over No. 3 Ohio State.  Jackson also had a forced fumble at Wisconsin, and a blocked field goal in a win over North Texas.  He has started all 12 games this season and recorded 47 tackles. Jackson is a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award.

Bears are 1-2 to start season

West Branch guard Beau Cornwell goes up for a shot against Tipton's Trent Pelzer during the Bears 59-57 loss to the Tigers last Tuesday.  Photo by Allen Hermsen.

Bears are 1-2 to start the season

  WEST BRANCH - The defending River Valley Conference South champion West Branch Bears begin the new season 1-2 as the second week of the regular season begins.  The Bears won their 2017-18 season opener at home against Wilton, 58-18, but have lost their last two at Monticello (68-58) and home against Tipton Tuesday (59-57).

  The Bears play at Winfield Mt. Union tonight, Thursday December 7 before starting a big week next week.  Next week, West Branch plays two RVC teams that will likely at minimum flirt with being in the class 2A rankings when they are released.  Those teams are Iowa City Regina and Cascade.  Both come to West Branch with the Cougars on Tuesday and the Regals on Friday.  Also a road game at West Liberty next Saturday waits.  A rematch of last year’s class 2A substate game with Camanche will take place at Camanche before home games with Mid-Prairie finishes off the pre-Christmas break schedule.

West Branch Coach Tom Burger Comments - Week 1-2

Box Scores:

Tipton 59, West Branch 57

Tuesday, December 5

At West Branch

WEST BRANCH (57): Beau Cornwell (g) 7-19 3-5 19, Brady Lukavsky (g) 0-4 1-3 1, Tanner Lukavsky (f) 3-6 3-4 10, Ben Thompson (f) 6-9 7-8 19, Ted Bridges (f) 2-3 0-0 4, Cade Aspelmeier 1-1 0-0 2, Brett Schiele 1-5 0-0 2.  Totals: 20-47 14-20 57.

3-Pt. FG: 3-15 (Cornwell 2-9, T. Lukavsky 1-2, Schiele 0-2, B. Lukavsky 0-2).  Rebounds: 21 (Cornwell 5, Schiele 4, Thompson 4, Bridges 3, B. Lukavsky 3, Aspelmeier 1, T. Lukavsky 1).  Assists: 9 (Thompson 3, B. Lukavsky 2, Cornwell 2, T. Lukavsky 1, Bridges 1).  Steals: 9 (Cornwell 3, Schiele 2, T. Lukavsky 2, Thompson 2).  Blocked Shots: 3 (T. Lukavsky 1, Bridges 1).  Total Fouls: 23.  Fouled Out: Brady Lukavsky, Ben Thompson.

Monticello 68, West Branch 58

Friday, December 1

At Monticello

WEST BRANCH (68): Beau Cornwell (g) 15-28 2-3 37, Brady Lukavsky (g) 0-4 0-0 -, Tanner Lukavsky (f) 2-6 0-0 4, Ben Thompson (f) 2-8 7-8 11, Ted Bridges (f) 0-1 0-0 0, Cade Aspelmeier 1-1 1-2 3, Brett Schiele 1-5 0-1 3, Jack Dragovich 0-1 0-0 0.  Totals: 21-54 10-14.

3-Pt. FG: 6-21 (Cornwell 5-11, Schiele 1-5, B. Lukavsky 0-2, T. Lukavsky 0-2, Thompson 0-1).  Rebounds: 24 (Cornwell 7, T. Lukavsky 6, Thompson 6, B. Lukavsky 3, Aspelmeier 1, Bridges 1).  Assists: 10 (B. Lukavsky 4, Thompson 3, Cornwell 1, T. Lukavsky 1, Bridges 1).  Steals: 9 (Cornwell 3, Thompson 2, Bridges 1, T. Lukavsky 1, Schiele 1, B. Lukavsky 1).  Blocked Shots: none.  Total Fouls: 21.  Fouled Out: Brady Lukavsky, Tanner Lukavsky.

West Branch 58, Wilton 18

Tuesday, November 28

At West Branch

WEST BRANCH (58): Beau Cornwell (g) 11-25 3-3 27, Brady Lukavsky (g) 3-6 0-2 8, Tanner Lukavsky (f) 2-9 0-0 4, Ben Thompson (f) 3-3 0-0 6, Ted Bridges (f) 0-4 0-0 0, Cade Aspelmeier 0-2 0-0 0, Ben Kyllingstad 0-2 0-0 0, Brett Schiele 2-10 0-0 4, Zach Thompson 2-4 0-0 5, Trey Eagle 1-2 0-0 2, Matt Wahley 0-0 0-0 0, Jack Dragovich 1-2 0-0 0.

3-Pt. FG: 5-27 (Cornwell 2-12, B. Lukavsky 2-4, Z. Thompson 1-2, Schiele 0-4, T. Lukavsky 0-2, Aspelmeier 0-2, Eagle 0-1).  Rebounds: 35 (Cornwell 10, Schiele 7, Eagle 4, T. Lukavsky 3, Aspelmeier 2, B. Lukavsky 2, B. Thompson 2, Bridges 2, Dragovich 2, Z. Thompson 1).  Assists: 9 (Cornwell 4, Bridges 2, Kyllingstad 1, Schiele 1, Eagle 1).  Steals: 24 (Cornwell 7, T. Lukavsky 7, Aspelmeier 3, Schiele 3, Eagle 2, B. Lukavsky 1, Wahley 1).  Blocked Shots: 4 (T. Lukavsky 2, Eagle 2).  Total Fouls: 12.  Fouled Out: none.

Wildcats Looking For First Win Of Season

  

Durant's Lauren Ralfs gets the basketball tapped away from North Cedar's Grace Proesch during the Wildcats home game with the Knights last week.  Annie Taylor (10) is also pictured.  Photo by Ryan Stonebraker.

  DURANT — The Durant Wildcats will travel to Tipton Friday night looking for their first victory of the season.  The Wildcats sit 0-6 overall and 0-4 in River Valley Conference play.  The Wildcats nearly pulled off their first win of the season this past Tuesday in a 54-48 overtime loss at West Liberty.  The Wildcats outscored the Comets in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 41 after regulation, but the Comets outscored them 13-7 in overtime.

  Through five games, stat leaders for the Wildcats are - Scoring - Kamryn Meyer 7.6 ppg, Ruby Kappeler 7.0 ppg; 3-pointers made - Ruby Kappeler 3; Rebounds - Kamryn Meyer 25, Amanda Wiese 24, Ruby Kappeler 20; Assists - Hannah Happ 7, Kamryn Meyer 6; Steals - Kamryn Meyer 7, Amanda Wiese 5; Blocked Shots - Kamryn Meyer 6, Lauren Ralfs 5.

  The WIldcats game with West Liberty Tuesday started a three-game road stretch for Durant with a game at Tipton this Friday and at Mid-Prairie Saturday afternoon.  The Wildcats host Bellevue, Mid-Prairie and Wilton to finish off their pre-Christmas schedule.

COACHES CORNER SHORT LINK: Durant GBB Coach Doug Frett Comments

Bellevue Marquette 59, Durant 24

Monday, December 4

At Durant

DURANT (24): Ruby Kappeler (g) 0-3 1-2 1, Kamryn Meyer (f) 3-10 1-5 7, Amanda Weise (f) 0-5 0-0 0, Lauren Ralfs (f) 2-4 1-2 5, Emily Seligman (f) 1-4 0-1 2, Claire Paulsen 0-0 0-0 0, Annie Taylor 0-2 2-7 2, Aubrin Dittmer 1-3 0-0 2, Kylie Kay 1-5 3-5 5, Kaitlyn Wiese 0-1 0-0 0, Brittany Kahl 0-1 0-0 0.  Totals: 8-38 8-22 24.

3-Pt. FG: 0-3 (Kappeler 0-2, Ralfs 0-1).  Rebounds: 21 (Meyer 6, Taylor 6, Kappeler 5, Ralfs 2, Dittmer 1, Kay 1).  Assists: 1 (Kay 1).  Assists: 7 (Meyer 3, Kay 2, A. Wiese 1, Kappeler 1).  Blocked Shots: 3 (Meyer 2, Kay 1).  Total Fouls: 13.  Fouled Out: none.

North Cedar 72, Durant 33

Friday, December 1st

At Durant

DURANT (33): Hannah Happ (g) 2 0-0 5, Ruby Kappeler (g) 4 1-2 9, Kamryn Meyer (f) 2 1-2 5, Amanda Wiese (f) 2 2-2 6, Lauren Ralfs (f) 2 0-0 4, Claire Paulsen 0 0-0 0, Annie Taylor 0 0-0 0, Aubrin Dittmer 0 0-0 0, Kylie Kay 1 0-0 2, Kaitlyn Wiese 0 0-0 0, Brittany Kahl 0 2-3 2, Emily Seligman 0 0-0 0.  Totals: 13 6-9 33.

3-Pt. FG: 1-8 (Happ 1-1, Kappeler 0-4, Seligman 0-3).  Rebounds: 25 (Kappeler 6, Happ 4, Meyer 3, Dittmer 3, A. Wiese 3, Taylor 2, Ralfs 2, Kahl 2).  Assists: 4 (Happ 2, Meyer 1, K. Wiese 1).  Steals: 5 (Happ 1, Taylor 1, A. Wiese 1, K. Wiese 1, Ralfs 1), Blocked Shots: 5 (A. Wiese 2, Meyer 1, Kay 1, Ralfs 1).  Total Fouls: 14.  Fouled Out: none.

Iowa City Regina 61, Durant 24

Tuesday, November 28

At Iowa City Regina

DURANT (24): Hannah Happ (g) 1-4 0-0 2, Ruby Kappeler (g) 1-9 0-0 3, Kamryn Meyer (f) 2-2 1-4 5, Amanda Wiese (f) 1-2 0-1 2, Lauren Ralfs (f) 2-6 0-0 4, Claire Paulsen 0-2 0-0 0, Annie Taylor 3-8 0-0 6, Kylie Kay 1-2 0-0 2, Kaitlyn Wiese 0-0 0-0 0, Emily Seligman 0-2 0-0 0.  Totals: 11-37 1-5 24.

3-Pt. FG: 1-5 (Kappeler 1-5).  Rebounds: 16 (Happ 5, Meyer 3, Kappeler 2, Kay 2, A. Wiese 2, K. Weise 2).  Assists: 4 (Happ 3, Kappeler 1, Meyer 1, A. Wiese 1, Seligman 1).  Steals: Happ 1, Meyer 1, A. Wiese 1, Ralfs 1).  Blocked Shots: 5 (Ralfs 2, Meyer 2, Kay 1).  Total Fouls: 12. Fouled Out: none.

Gustafson Named to Naismith Trophy Watch List

IOWA CITY — University of Iowa junior Megan Gustafson has been named to the Naismith Trophy Watch List, the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced Wednesday. The award honors the nation’s top player.

The list currently features 50 student-athletes. It will be trimmed to 30 on Feb. 12, 2018. Nine different conferences are represented on the prestigious watch list. Gustafson is one of eight Big Ten student-athletes included.

Gustafson is averaging 22.9 points and 12.9 rebounds per game, and shooting 70.5 percent from the field this season. She leads the nation in field goals made (79) and ranks second in double-doubles (7), total points (183), and rebounds (103). She is also ranked third nationally in field goal percentage (70.5), fifth in rebounds per game (12.9), and 12th in defensive rebounds per game (8) and points per game (22.9). Gustafson has earned a conference weekly award in each of the first three weeks of the season.

The Port Wing, Wisconsin, native was named to the Katrina McClain Award Watch List on Nov. 9. The inaugural award recognizes the top power forward in women’s NCAA Division I college basketball.

Tigers Could Contend For RVC South

Members of the 2017-18 Tipton boy’s basketball team are, front row l-r: Cole Syring, Grady Glick, Eli Lindsey, Joey Butler, Caleb Jedlicka, Alex Reynolds, Landon Hill and Riley Keil.  Second row: Kayden Rezac, Nile Schuett, Preston Hodgden, Tyler Hennings, Craig Shafer, Jack Boldt, Kael Jauron and Colby Kleppe.  Third row: Caleb Shumaker, Jacob Tischuk, Andrew Stewart, Hunter Tenley, Logan Hoffman, Frank Bierman, Blake Wilkins, Andrew Comstock, Luke Becker and Payten Elijah.  Back row: Trent Pelzer, Jared Hightower, Keith Penningroth, Elliot Cummins, Quentin Mesick, Connor Hermiston, Bryce Deerberg and Blaise Thumma.  Not Pictured: Austin Mente.  Contributed Photo.

By Ryan Stonebraker
Sports Editor, Tipton Conservative
TIPTON — The Tipton Tiger boy’s basketball team has their sights set on a River Valley Conference South title and rightfully so.  The Tigers return three starters and a host of reserves from a 13-win season a year ago.  The Tigers got a boost last postseason beating an 18-3 West Burlington Notre Dame team in Burlington before falling to RVC champs West Branch in the district final.

Returning starters this season are senior Logan Hoffman, junior Andrew Stewart and sophomore Frank Bierman.  Hoffman was an Elite All-RVC selection last year.  He has received preseason Des Moines Register basketball honors as well.  Hoffman led Tipton in scoring last year with a 22.8-point average.  He also led Tipton in rebounding with 189.  He shot 81-percent from the free throw line and made 13 three pointers.

Stewart was a All-RVC South Division selection as a sophomore.  Stewart shot 33-percent from the three-point line with 48 made three pointers.  He averaged 15.3 points game and had 22 steals, 19 assists and 62 rebounds.

Bierman made quite an impact as a freshman last season.  Bierman finished second on the team in rebounding with 114 to go with 28 steals and a 3.3-point scoring average.

Key reserves back for the Tigers are senior Bryce Deerberg and juniors Jacob Tischuk (4.7 ppg, 28 steals, 49 rebounds) and Luke Becker (2.4 ppg, 12 made 3’s).

Others out this season that were on the varsity roster last year are  Connor Hermiston, Jared Hightower, Blake Wilkins, Hunter Tenley, Quinten Mesick and Blaise Thumma and sophomore Trent Pelzer.  Senior Keith Penningroth and sophomore Colby Kleppe are also out this season.

Tipton has an interesting schedule, opening the 2017-18 schedule on the road for their first four basketball games.  Tipton opens the season at Mid-Prairie on Tuesday, November 28.  That’s followed by road games at Camanche, West Branch and North Tama.  The Tigers first home game will be Friday, December 8 against Durant.  The Tigers will play ten games before Christmas break.  The Tigers play North Cedar for the first of two games with the Knights on Tuesday, December 12 at Clarence.

Members of the 2017-18 North Cedar boy’s basketball team are, front row l-r: Tyler Alexander, Ethan Sahr, Brady Lehrman, Mason Minar, Owen Meyer, Greg Hansen, Keon McCullough.  Back row: head coach Scott Jackson, Jon Scheer, Alex Woodward, Caden Wendt, assistant coach Robert Helgersen, assistant coach Dan Kedley, Cameron King, Logan Thimmes, Kael Unruh and assistant coach Les Koering.  Photo by Ryan Stonebraker.

Knights Hope To Move Up In RVC North Standings

CLARENCE — Last year was an uncommon season at North Cedar.  The Knights finished below .500 and was one-win shy of giving the RVC North five of their six team members with at least ten victories.

North Cedar returns two starters from last year’s team in sophomore guard Ethan Sahr and senior swingman Mason Minar.  Both are athletic and both will look to lead the team.  Sahr averaged 3.9 points as a freshman.  He was third on last year’s team in made three pointers.

Minar returns after earning honorable mention all-conference honors last season.  Minar is the top returning scorer for the Knights with a 10.0 point average.  He had 44 assists and 43 steals to go with 63 rebounds.

Opportunity waits for North Cedar to fill the other three starting spots.  Candidates will come from a pool of returning players.  Returning seniors are Seb Curley (0.5 ppg), Greg Hansen (0.9 ppg), Brady Lehrman (0.8 ppg) and Owen Meyer (2.2 ppg).  

Also returning are Tyler Alexander and Keon McCullough (1.0 ppg).  Alex Woodward is also on the Knights roster.

North Cedar kicks off the season at home against Cascade on November 28.  It is the first of seven pre-Christmas games.  The Knights play four RVC North foes, three on the road.  North Cedar has to big rivalry games at home before Christmas when Tipton comes to town December 12 and Calamus-Wheatland comes in less than a week later on December 18.

Members of the 2017-18 Durant boy’s basketball team are, front row l-r: Cale Frett, Carter Voelkers, Joe Lilienthal, Ty Chenault and Dawson Frett.  Back row: Marcus Engstler, Cole Miedema, Curtis Lilienthal, Mason Compton, Bryce Lafrenz, Easton Botkins, Thomas Rhoades and manager Jada Rock.  Not pictured: Will Lossi.  Photo by Ryan Stonebraker.

Wildcats Return Many, Look To Move Up In RVC

DURANT — There is a lot of excitement in Durant this winter for boy’s basketball.  Though the Wildcats are coming off of a 9-win season, Durant returns three starters, two part-time starters and a host of bench players.  The Wildcats could have their most athletic team in a while and have size as well.

The Wildcats return three starters from last year’s team in junior guard Easton Botkins, junior forward Bryce Lafrenz and sophomore center Joe Lilienthal.  Botkins made 25 three pointers and shot 85-percent from the free throw line.  He averaged 5.6 points, had 38 assists and 31 steals.  Lafrenz averaged 5.1 points to go with 16 made three pointers, 80 rebounds and 41 assists.  Lilienthal averaged 5.3 points a team and had 80 rebounds, 11 blocked shots.

Other key players who started from time to time are junior Mason Compton and senior Curtis Lilienthal.  Compton averaged 7.0 points, had 72 rebounds, 36 assists and 32 steals.  Lilienthal averaged 0.8 points, had 34 rebounds and 16 steals.

The Wildcat bench will be filled with a variety of players with a variety of returning experience.  Ty Chenault returns after moving away last year out of state.  Chenault averaged XX points as a sophomore on the varsity team.

Also back are senior forwards Dawson and Cale Frett and fellow seniors Cole Miedema (1.1 ppg) and Carter Voelkers.  Junior WIll Lossi is also back.  On the roster as well are senior Thomas Rhoades and sophomore Marcus Engstler.

Members of the 2017-18 Wilton boy’s basketball team are, front row l-r: Jacob Shepherd, Garrett Bohnsack, AJ Bosten and Nathaniel Fagner.  Middle row: Charles Martin, Ronen Santiago, Jared Townsend, Isaac Hunter and Chase Montagna.  Back row: Cole Rabedeaux, Corey Anderson, Drake Hayes, Brock Hartley, Chase Miller and Ashton Stoelk.  Photo by Ryan Stonebraker.

5 seniors, 10 juniors Makeup Wilton Roster

WILTON — The Wilton Beavers hope that experience will go a long way.  The Beavers have 15 juniors and seniors on the varsity roster this year with five seniors and ten juniors.  The Beavers look to improve this year, coming off of a two-win season last year.  Veteran coach Mark Patterson returns to guide the Beavers this season.

Wilton returns one starter from last year in senior Jacob Shepherd.  Shepherd averaged 0.8 points a game and had 26 rebounds, 17 assists and 12 steals.

Other returning players are five juniors in Garrett Bohnsack (0.5 ppg), Chase Miller (0.8 ppg), Isaac Hunter (0.4 ppg), Ashton Stoelk (0.8 ppg) and Jared Townsend.  Townsend is the top returning scorer with a 3.8-point scoring average.  He had 42 rebounds 22 assists and 14 steals.

Others out this season are seniors Jake Said, Cole Rabedeaux (1.5 ppg), Drake Hayes, Chase Montagna and Nathaniel Fagner, juniors A.J. Bosten, Corey Anderson, Brock Hartley and Ronen Santiago.

Wilton will play nine games before Christmas.  Of those, five are at home and a sixth is five miles to the East in Durant.  Wilton will begin the new season on Tuesday, November 28 at West Branch.  Wilton hosts Columbus Junction two days later and Cascade the following day on Friday, December 1.  Other home games before Christmas are a three game stretch with Iowa City Regina, Camanche and Tipton.

Potential is high with Tigers

Members of the 2017-18 Tipton girl’s basketball team are, front row l-r:  Zoe Comstock, Samantha DeMoss, Zoe Rezac, Tiffany Schott and Allison Ryan.  Second row: Emily Hermsen, Laken Hermiston, Jamie Kofron, Laressa Stout and Amanda Smith.  Third row: Nova Gordon, Kamryn Chapman, Bailey Schmidt, Madison Conrad and Manager Jaci Samuels.  Fourth row: Kaylea Claussen, Elizabeth Bierman, Hailey Stewart, Alex Hoffman, Keelie Claussen, Liz Bierman, Halle McCollough and Kiera Scott.  Not pictured: Veronica Liu, Manager.  Photo by Ryan Stonebraker.

By Ryan Stonebraker

Sports Editor, Tipton Conservative

TIPTON — Potential surrounds the Tipton girl’s basketball team this year after a 7-16 season last year.  Many of the current Tigers have played significant minutes each of the past two years and the some players made state runs last year in track and this past fall in volleyball.  That success has basketball in its sight as the Tigers look to reach the 10-win mark for the first time since the 2010-11 season and a winning record for just the fourth time in ten years.

Four starters return for the Tigers led by All-RVC South Division guard Emily Hermsen.  Hermsen led Tipton in scoring with a 12.2-point average, assists with 61, steals with 35 and made three pointers with 44.  Returning starters joining Hermsen are guard senior Zoe Rezac (2.6 ppg) who was the team’s third leading rebounder and junior Amanda Smith (7.5 ppg) who was second in rebounding.  The other returning starter is Junior forward Jamie Kofron.  Kofron returns to anchor the inside game and was the Tigers second leading scorer at 8.4 points a game and top rebounder.  She also shot the second most free throws on the team last year.  

Depth will be a strength this season with five players returning to the four starters with varsity experience.  A fifth starter will come from that depth.  Back will be seniors Samantha DeMoss (3.7 ppg, 21 assists), Tiffany Schott (0.4 ppg) and Allie Ryan (3.9 ppg, 3.4 rebounds a game) and sophomores Kamryn Chapman (1.3 ppg) and Laken Hermiston 0.2 ppg).

The Tigers as a team will have to cut down on turnovers to move up in the RVC standings. As a team they had 365 in 23 games or nearly 16 a game last year.  If they can, the 7-team RVC South is wide open after preseason class 2A #2 ranked Iowa City Regina.  Tipton has not finished higher than fifth in the RVC South in the short 4-years prior to this year.

Members of the 2017-18 North Cedar girl’s basketball team are, front row l-r: Darby Hawtrey, Katie Thompson, Tessa Fields, Kayla Sander and Kayla Syring.  Back row: Nicole Sander, Lexi Crist, head coach Glenn Hay, assistant coach Alex Curley, assistant coach Victor Curley, Leah Crock and Grace Proesch. Photo by Ryan Stonebraker.

Knights Have Five Seniors, six returners back

CLARENCE — North Cedar won nine games last season under coach Glenn Hay.  This season, the Knights return five seniors and six total returners from that team.

North Cedar will be led by four seniors who all started last season.  They are guards Tessa Fields and Lexi Crist and forwards Darby Hawtrey and Leah Crock.  Crock led the Knights in scoring last season with a 9.7-point average and was second in rebounding with a 6.8 per game average and led North Cedar in blocked shots with 34.  Lexi Crist was second in scoring last season with an 8.7-point average.  She had 32 assists and 22 steals. And shot 79-percent from the free throw line.  Darby Hawtrey averaged 7.0 points and a team high 7.8 rebounds a game.  Tessa Fields averaged 6.6 points a game and had a team high 86 assists and 63 steals.

Key reserve last year Grace Proesch returns.  Proesch averaged 3.3 points a game, 42 rebounds, 37 steals and 21 assists.  

Also on the varsity roster are juniors Katie Thompson and Kayla Sander and sophomore Kayla Syring.

North Cedar plays eight games before Christmas break.  The Knights will play four of their five RVC North opponents before Christmas, all on the road.  The Knights will play the first of two games with rival Tipton on Tuesday, December 12.

Members of the 2017-18 Wilton girl’s basketball team are, front row l-r: Lexi Maurer, Linsey Ford, Becca Ball, Taylor Garvin and Kali Milder.  Back row: Taylor Goldermann, Kortney Drake, Emily Lange, Aubrey Putman and Makayla Brock.  Contributed Photo.

Beavers Look To Move Up In RVC South

WILTON —  The Wilton Beavers are looking for bigger things this season.  Wilton won 13 games last year and return seven players and three starters from that team.  Another reason for higher expectations is a record breaking season on the volleyball court this fall.  Many of the returners played on the Beaver volleyball team that set a new record with 34 wins.

Wilton returns three starters from last year’s team who happen to be their top three returning scorers.  Juniors Emily Lange, Kortney Drake and Aubrey Putman return.  Drake and Lange are two time all-conference players including both being named last year to the All-RVC South team.

Drake and Lange each averaged 12.1 points a game while Putman averaged 8.3 points a game.  The trio also were the Beavers top-3 rebounders, assist leaders and steal leaders.  Putman led in rebounds with 141.  Drake led in assists and steals with 77 and 61.  Lange was second in each category.

Two key seniors return after coming off the bench last year in Kali Milder and Lexi Maurer.  Milder shot 73-percent from the free throw line and Maurer averaged 2.8 points a game and had 60 rebounds.  Other returners are senior Taylor Goldermann (0.6 ppg) and junior Linsey Ford (1.0 ppg).

One concern for Wilton this season will be free throw and perimeter shooting.  Wilton shot 61-percent from the free throw line last year.  The Beavers made only 26 three-pointers last season.

Members of the 2017-18 Durant girl’s basketball team are, front row l-r: (seated) Hannah Happ, Kylie Kay, Claire Paulsen, Emily Seligman, Ruby Kappeler and Kaitlyn Wiese.  Back row: Amanda Wiese, Annie Taylor, Aubrin Dittmer, Kamryn Meyer, Brittany Kahl and Lauren Ralfs.  Photo by Ryan Stonebraker.

Opportunity For Wildcats This Season

DURANT — The 2016-17 Durant Wildcats saw their record slip a little last season with four wins, but eight more games were decided by less than 10 points.  The Wildcats hope that they are on the other end of close games this year.  Veteran coach Doug Frett returns to guide the Wildcats this season.

Opportunity is available for Wildcat players after the graduation of four starters including RVC Elite team member Aubrey Werthmann who now plays at Simpson College.  The lone starter back is senior Amanda Wiese.  Wiese averaged 2.6 points a game and was the second leading rebounder last year with a 4.9 per game average.

The Wildcats will have five seniors on the roster this year in Wiese, Kaitlyn Wiese, Lauren Ralfs (2.4 ppg), Brittany Kahl and Emily Seligman (0.4 ppg).  Also back are juniors Hannah Happ (3.8 ppg, 27 steals) and Annie Taylor (0.8 ppg, 35 rebounds).

Also out this year and looking for varsity playing time are juniors Claire Paulsen, Ruby Kappeler, Kamryn Meyer and Aubrin Dittmer and sophomore Kylie Kay.   

The Wildcats have nearly half of their games this year before Christmas.  The Wildcats will have home games with Mount Pleasant and West Branch to start the season.  Durant also hosts North Cedar, Bellevue Marquette, Bellevue, Mid-Prairie and Wilton before Christmas.  Of the 11 games Durant is on the road in three games, at Tipton, Mid-Prairie and Iowa City Regina.

WADLEY NAMED B1G CO-OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

IOWA CITY — University of Iowa senior running back Akrum Wadley was named Big Ten Conference Co-Offensive Player of the Week for his play in Iowa’s 56-14 win at Nebraska. Wadley was also named the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week by College Sports Madness.

Wadley (5-foot-11, 195-pounds), a native of Newark, New Jersey, rushed 19 times for a season-high 159 yards at Nebraska, scoring three touchdowns on runs of 20, one, and 29 yards.  He also had one reception for eight yards to total 167 all-purpose yards.  Wadley surpassed 100 rushing yards in a game for the 14th time in his career.

Earlier this season Wadley was named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll following Iowa’s 44-41 overtime win at Iowa State. The Big Ten recognition is the third of Wadley’s career.  He was the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week following Iowa’s 40-10 win at Northwestern in 2015, and he was named league Freshman of the Week following a 48-7 win over Northwestern in 2014.

Wadley leads the Iowa rushing attack with 1,021 yards and nine touchdowns.  He also has 26 receptions for 329 yards and three touchdowns.  Wadley is just the fourth player in school history to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in consecutive seasons.  Wadley rushed for 1,081 yards in 2016.

Wadley is one of 15 players in Iowa history with over 2,000 career rushing yards (514-2,784) and ranks fourth on the career rushing chart.  Wadley has 3,621 all-purpose yards, which ranks ninth in program history.  His 27 career rushing touchdowns rank fourth all-time at Iowa and his 34 total touchdowns rank third.  Wadley has 204 career points, ranking 10th in scoring.

Wadley is the fourth Hawkeye to earn the Big Ten’s weekly honor this season.  Senior linebacker Josey Jewell was recognized for his play against Wyoming and Penn State.  Junior defensive back Josh Jackson earned defensive honors for his play against Ohio State and Wisconsin.  Sophomore quarterback Nate Stanley earned the offensive honor for his play in Iowa’s overtime win at Iowa State.

Gustafson Earns 3rd Straight Conference Honor

IOWA CITY — University of Iowa junior Megan Gustafson has been named to the Big Ten Women’s Basketball Player of the Week Honor Roll, the conference office announced Monday. It is the ninth weekly honor of Gustafson’s career and her third in as many weeks.

Gustafson averaged 20.3 points, 12.7 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, and shot 67.4 percent from the field to lead Iowa to three wins in four days at the Puerto Rico Classic in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, last week. Gustafson netted 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field and pulled down 10 boards in 19 minutes in Iowa’s win over Morgan State on Nov. 22.

On Nov. 23, Gustafson scored a game-high 23 points and recorded 14 rebounds (11 defensive) to lead Iowa past Charlotte. Two days later, Gustafson netted 20 points and pulled down 14 rebounds (9 offensive) in Iowa’s win over Elon.

Gustafson’s registered a double-double in all three contests, bringing her season total to seven and her career total to 34. The Port Wing, Wisconsin, native is one of two players nationally to register seven double-doubles this season. She also ranks second nationally in field goals made (64), third in rebounds (94) and rebounds per game (13.4), sixth in total points (149), and eighth in field goal percentage (68.1).

Michael Kemerer Named B1G Wrestler of the Week

IOWA CITY — University of Iowa sophomore Michael Kemerer has been named Big Ten Conference Wrestler of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday.

Kemerer, ranked No. 3 in the country at 157 pounds, won by an 18-5 major decision against Rider’s seventh-ranked B.J. Clagon on Nov. 24.

He is 4-0 this season with one major decision, one technical fall, and two pins. Dating back to last season when Kemerer placed third at the NCAA Championships, he has won eight straight matches. Three of his last six wins have been against top-seven opponents.

The Big Ten Conference weekly honor is the first of Kemerer’s career and the first for Iowa this season.

The seventh-ranked Hawkeyes return to the mat Friday hosting No. 15 Illinois at 7 p.m. (CT)at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. 

JACKSON EARNS JACK TATUM AWARD

IOWA CITY — University of Iowa junior defensive back Josh Jackson has been named the recipient of the 2017 Jack Tatum Award as the best defensive back in the nation.  The award was announced Tuesday by the Touchdown Club of Columbus, and is named for the late Ohio State and NFL legend Jack Tatum.

Jackson (6-foot-1, 192-pounds), a native of Corinth, Texas (Lake Dallas), is tied as the national leader with seven interceptions.  He leads the nation with 25 passes defended and is tied for second in interception return touchdowns (two), and pass break-ups (18).  He ranks third in interception return yards (163).  Jackson’s seven interceptions rank fourth best for a single season at Iowa, just one from tying Iowa’s single-season record (Desmond King, 2015; Lou King, 1981; Nile Kinnick, 1939).

Jackson tied Iowa’s school record with two interception returns for touchdowns (B.J. Lowery, 2013) at Wisconsin, covering 43 and 52 yards.  The previous week, Jackson tied Iowa’s school record with three interceptions in Iowa’s 55-24 win over No. 3 Ohio State.  Jackson also had a forced fumble at Wisconsin, and a blocked field goal in a win over North Texas.  He has started all 12 games this season and recorded 47 tackles.

Jackson is one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award, which is also awarded to the top defensive back in the nation.  He was named the Walter Camp, Bednarik Award, and College Sports Madness national defensive Player of the Week for his play against Ohio State.  He was named Big Ten Conference defensive Player of the Week in consecutive weeks following games against Ohio State and Wisconsin.

Jackson is the second Hawkeye in the past three seasons to earn the Jack Tatum Award.  Former Hawkeye Desmond King earned the award in 2015, when he also received the Thorpe Award.

Jewell, Jackson Earn 3 Big Ten Individual Honors

IOWA CITY — University of Iowa football players Josey Jewell and Josh Jackson were named recipients of three Big Ten Individual Awards, the Big Ten conference announced Thursday.

Jewell earned the Nagurski-Woodson Defensive Player of the Year and the Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year. Jackson was named the Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year.

It is Iowa’s first individual Big Ten honor since 2015 when head coach Kirk Ferentz and Desmond King won the Hayes-Schembechler Coach of the Year and Tatum-Woodson Defensive Back of the Year, respectively.

Jewell, a native of Decorah, Iowa, was named first team All-Big Ten this season. He leads the Big Ten and ranks third nationally in tackles (125 total, 11.4 per game). He is one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, is a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award, and a finalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy. He was named the recipient of the Jack Lambert Award on Monday.

Jewell is the third Hawkeye in program history to have three seasons with at least 115 tackles (Larry Station 83, 84, 85; Abdul Hodge 03, 04, 05). Jewell has led the team in tackles in each of the last three seasons (126 in 2015, 124 in 2016). Jewell has 426 career tackles, fifth all-time in program history.

Jackson, a native of Corinth, Texas, is tied as the national leader with seven interceptions, and also earned all-conference recognition. He leads the nation with 25 passes defended and is tied for second in interception return touchdowns (two), and pass break-ups (18). He ranks third in interception return yards (163). Jackson's seven interceptions rank fourth best for a single season at Iowa, just one from tying Iowa's single-season record (Desmond King, 2015; Lou King, 1981; Nile Kinnick, 1939). Jackson was named the Jack Tatum Award winner on Tuesday and is one of three finalists for the Jim Thorpe Award.

Jackson tied Iowa's school record with two interception returns for touchdowns (B.J. Lowery, 2013) at Wisconsin, covering 43 and 52 yards. The previous week, Jackson tied Iowa's school record with three interceptions in Iowa's 55-24 win over No. 3 Ohio State. Jackson also had a forced fumble at Wisconsin, and a blocked field goal in a win over North Texas. He has started all 12 games this season and recorded 47 tackles.

Jewell becomes the first Hawkeye to win the Nagurski-Woodson Award since defensive end Leroy Smith in 1991 and first ever to win the Butkus-Fitzgerald Award. Jackson is the third Hawkeye to win the Tatum-Woodson aAward in its seven year history, joining Micah Hyde (2012) and Desmond King (2015).

IGHSAU STATE SWIMMING AND DIVING MEET TO REMAIN IN MARSHALLTOWN THROUGH 2022

Tipton freshman Zoe Stonebraker and the Tigers had another strong season, going 5-1 in dual meets this past fall.  Photo by Darren Miller.

By Ryan Stonebraker

Sports Editor, Tipton Conservative

  DES MOINES — The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union announced that the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA will remain the host site for the Iowa Girls State Swimming and Diving Meet through the 2022.

  “We are pleased that the Girls’ State Swimming and Diving Meet is remaining at the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA,” said IGHSAU Executive Director Jean Berger.  “The hard-working YMCA-YWCA staff and volunteers, along with additional support from Marshalltown High School and the Marshalltown community, have made the State Swimming and Diving Meet an outstanding championship event. We look forward to partnering with Marshalltown for five more years.” 

  The Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA has been the home of the Girls High School State Swimming and Diving Meet since 2004. In that 14-year span, every swimming and diving state meet record has been set in the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA pool. Prior to the move to Marshalltown in 2004, the State Swimming and Diving Meet was held at Fort Dodge High School from 1974 to 2003. 

  “We are pleased to continue our long-standing and successful partnership with the Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union in hosting the Girls’ State Swimming and Diving Meet,” stated Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA CEO Carol Hibbs. “Thanks to strong community support and the efforts of many local volunteers, state competitors and their fans will continue to enjoy an exciting championship atmosphere at the Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA.” 

TENTATIVE STATE SWIMMING AND DIVING MEET DATES – 2018-2022

2018 – November 2-3

2019 – November 8-9

2020 – November 6-7

2021 – November 5-6

2022 – November 4-5