Metro Sports Report

Hobbs, Hansche spark Coe to easy win

For awhile Wednesday afternoon, it looked like Aleena Hobbs and Mickey Hansche were engaged in their own little game of H-O-R-S-E at Eby Fieldhouse.

Hobbs would hit a 3-pointer from the top of the key, then Hansche would connect from a similar spot. Hobbs would drill a 3-pointer from the corner, then Hansche would follow suit. Hobbs would hit a triple from the wing,then Hansche would sink one, too.

You almost expected one of the Kohawks to climb into the bleachers and bank in a 3-pointer off the scoreboard, but it never came to that.

Their personal game of H-O-R-S-E ended in a tie as they finished with four 3-pointers and 18 points apiece, helping Coe collect an easy 74-41 victory over Carleton College in the final tuneup before the Iowa Conference race begins next week.

Before the internet, there was Mike Henderson

Want to know who the leading scorer is for your favorite Iowa prep team?

That's easy. Look at quikstatsiowa.com.

Back in 2004, the internet was still developing. For those of us who covered high school sports, there was one guy we all turned to for information.

That guy was Mike Henderson.

Ten years ago today - on Dec. 30, 2004 - Henderson was working another of his many long nights past midnight as the information director for the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union when he called 911 saying he couldn't breathe. He died later that day from emphysema combined with sleep apnea at age 63. His untimely death left a void that has never really been filled by another human being.

It took technology to match what we got from Mike on a daily basis.

Mike was the guy who made sure every score was recorded, every point was accounted for and every record was updated. If there was ever a question about any statistic in any sport, all a coach or media member had to do was call Mike and he would have the answer.

More often than not, those answers came off the top of his head. If by chance he didn't know the answer, it didn't take him long to find it and get back to you with what you needed.

Blind wrestler is determined to succeed

Marion High School Coach Jason Haag found out years ago how hard it is to hold down sophomore wrestler Alex Gillaspie.

Blind since birth, young Alex attended Starry Elementary where Haag also serves as physical education teacher. One day in gym class, it might have been about the first grade, Alex climbed all the way to the top of a net strung down from the ceiling.

“I touched the ceiling with both hands, too,” he recalls.

Even then, says Haag, “I could tell he was fearless.”

Alex was born with one gene missing from the retina in his eyes. He can detect sunlight. But otherwise, he explains, “I don’t see anything at all.”

He doesn’t consider it a disability, however. “I was born that way, so it’s all I know,” he says.

He’s always attended regular classes at Marion schools. And he’s a straight-A student.

Washpun thriving with No. 23 Panthers

CEDAR FALLS - Wes Washpun had to learn that his natural charm, smile and athletic ability would not get him everywhere he wanted to go in life.

He needed discipline and a serious approach to his classes to become a well-rounded person who could accomplish just about anything he wants, including the possibility of pro basketball and grad school.

Now that he's put the whole package together, there's no telling what Washpun might accomplish.

For the time being, he's one of the star players for the 23rd-ranked University of Northern Iowa basketball team as it approaches the Missouri Valley Conference opener at Evansville Thursday.

Northern Iowa Coach Ben Jacobson took a serious look at Washpun when he was playing at Cedar Rapids Washington High School, but Washpun was struggling with his classes at the time and there was no certainty he'd become eligible for Division I basketball. Jacobson did not offer Washpun a scholarship, but got him on the rebound after Washpun spent one unproductive year at Tennessee.

Jacobson said Washpun is a different guy now than he was four or five years ago in some important aspects.