Metro Sports Report

No. 3 KCC women ousted by No. 15 DMACC

Kim Muhl would love to win a seventh national title at Kirkwood before he calls it a career as the women's basketball coach, but it won't happen this year.

The third-ranked Eagles were eliminated by No. 15 DMACC, 66-54, in the semifinals of the NJCAA Division II regional tournament Thursday night at Johnson Hall in a mild upset.

Kirkwood swept the season series from the Bears, but the visitors from Boone played a sharp game while the Eagles struggled mightily on offense. Kirkwood made only one 3-pointer in 18 attempts for a woeful 5.6 percent and committed 22 turnovers.

"We weren't very good, were we?" were the first words out of Muhl's mouth after the game. "Pretty bad. Can't do much about it. Can't hit a shot."

Young Indians stun Harlan at state

DES MOINES - It's not true that the Marion Indians have a bunch of sixth graders on the varsity basketball team who need a baby-sitter when their parents go to the movies.

The Indians are young, but they're not quite that young. And best of all, they have absolutely no fear.

Marion stunned Harlan, 46-38, in the opening round of the Class 4A girls state basketball tournament Wednesday in one of the biggest upsets in recent history.

Harlan, the two-time defending state champions, had four seniors in the starting lineup who helped them compile a phenomenal 95-6 record the last four years with four straight trips to state.

Marion, meanwhile, countered with three sophomores and two freshmen in its lineup and none of them had ever been on a stage this big in their lives.

Ollinger stars as Lions bop Indianola

DES MOINES - Amanda Ollinger always wanted to play in the state basketball tournament at Wells Fargo Arena, but she didn't make it as a freshman, sophomore or junior and time was slipping away.

Ollinger finally got her chance Wednesday and seized the opportunity with a monster game in the first round of the Class 5A tournament in Des Moines.

Ollinger scored 25 points and snared 22 rebounds as the Linn-Mar Lions stomped Indianola, 60-38, after blasting to a 20-point lead in the first half.

Xavier hires Lueck to replace Winker

Xavier has hired Steve Lueck as activities director, the school announced Wednesday.

Lueck (pronounced "leek"), currently serves as principal and activites director at St. Mary's High School in Storm Lake. He will succeed Mike Winker who has been Xavier's only AD since the school's opening in 1998 and previously announced he was leaving his post at the end of the school year.

"We are excited to welcome Steve to the Xavier community," Xavier principal Tom Keating said in a statement. "His experience as a teacher, coach, activities director and principal gives him a unique perspective of the important role that activities play in the high school experience."