Metro Sports Report

Xavier football team is winner already

The Xavier Saints have made a bold statement by agreeing to play Dowling Catholic, Davenport Assumption and Iowa City Regina in football the next two years.

Despite being shunned by the Class 4A Metro schools, the Saints have put together a very attractive schedule of non-district games that sets an example for the entire state.

Xavier could have played it safe and sought games against softer Class 3A competition, but instead the Saints struck deals with three of the best teams in Iowa. Dowling and Iowa City Regina won state titles last fall and Assumption figures to be a state power at the Class 3A level, along with the Saints themselves.

Drew Heitland wins Metro Spotlight Award

Cedar Rapids Kennedy senior Drew Heitland is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school boys this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Heitland, a 6-foot-4 senior, is the starting center for the Kennedy basketball team that will face Sioux City North in the Class 4A state tournament Wednesday night in Des Moines.

Heitland is averaging 8.2 points and a team-best 5.5 rebounds for the Cougars (18-5). He is shooting 51.1 percent from the field and gives Kennedy a strong defender near the basket.

Paige Hendrickson wins Metro Spotlight Award

Cedar Rapids Kennedy senior Paige Hendrickson is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school girls this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Hendrickson, a 5-foot-8 guard, averaged 11.4 points and 3.0 assists for the Kennedy girls basketball team this season. She helped the Cougars make the Class 5A state tournament and finish with a 16-8 record.

Hendrickson led Kennedy in assists. She also had 39 rebounds, 33 steals and made 20 3-pointers. She also plays soccer at Kennedy.

Franklin, Ollinger, Hembera make all-state

Dani Franklin of Washington, Amanda Ollinger of Jefferson and Shelby Hembera of Cedar Valley Christian have been named to the all-state girls basketball teams by the Des Moines Register.

Franklin, a 6-foot-1 senior, made first team all-state in Class 5A. She averaged 22.3 points and 5.8 rebounds for the Warriors this season.

Ollinger, a 6-2 sophomore, made third team all-state in Class 5A. She averaged 18.6 points and 7.4 rebounds for the J-Hawks.

Hembera, a 6-foot junior, was named first team all-state in Class 1A. She led the entire state in scoring and rebounding at 33.2 points and 16.4 rebounds.