Metro Sports Report

Prairie Hawks hold off J-Hawks

The Prairie boys escaped an inspired bunch from Jefferson by the skin of their teeth Monday night in opening-round play of the Class 4A substate boys basketball tournament.

And now the Hawks get a second crack at top-ranked and undefeated Iowa City West Friday night on the Trojans' home floor.

“It’ll be a tall task,” acknowledged even-keel Prairie Coach Jeremy Rickertsen in the home team locker room after Monday’s 60-51 nail-biter against Jefferson. “But it’s like we stressed to the guys: You gotta believe.

“If you don’t believe we can beat them, don’t get on the bus.”

Jefferson Coach Brandon Horman had a similar message beforehand for his hard-luck J-Hawks. And they came within a couple of missed shots toward the tail-end of winning just their second game of a disappointing season.

Marion falls short against Solon

Craig Engle sat on a stool after Marion's Class 3A district game against Solon Monday night and slowly unwrapped the brace on his tender left ankle, an ice bag waiting on a table nearby.

The Marion High School star insisted the ankle did not slow him down in the 42-32 loss to the Spartans, but Coach Mike Manderscheid was not entirely sure about that.

"Maybe not quite as explosive, but he hadn't played in two weeks, so that doesn't help," said Manderscheid.

Engle, who averages more than 16 points, was held to only 10 points in the final game of his prep career. He hurt his ankle against Center Point-Urbana and skipped two games before returning against Solon in the postseason tournament.

Mia Laube wins Metro Spotlight Award

Mia Laube of Marion is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school girls this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Laube is a member of a strong freshman class that has helped Marion High School reach the finals of the Class 4A regional basketball tournament. The 13th-ranked Indians (17-5) will face fifth-ranked Waverly-Shell Rock (22-0) in the regional finals Tuesday night at Vinton, with the winner advancing to the state tournament in Des Moines.

Laube matched her career-high with 21 points Saturday night when Marion defeated West Delaware, 63-48, in the regional semifinals. She also had 21 points earlier this season against Benton Community.

Kuehl, Cadena share Metro Spotlight Award

Dalton Kuehl of Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Jarod Cadena of Prairie are the co-winners of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school boys this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Kuehl and Cadena both finished second at the Class 3A state wrestling tournament in Des Moines Saturday night, helping their teams to high finishes in the overall standings.

Kuehl, ranked second in the state at 285 pounds, pinned Blake Moser of Iowa City West in the first round in 1:59. He beat eighth-ranked Collin Olson of Ankeny Centennial, 3-1, in the quarterfinals and pinned third-ranked Tyler Clark of Clinton in the semifinals in 2:57.