Metro Sports Report

Schools raise $1,899 for Salvation Army

The eight schools that are participating in the Metro Sports Report Classic raised $1,899.76 as Bell-Ringers for the Salvation Army's Red Kettle fundraising drive this month.

The Jefferson J-Hawks led all the schools with $471.20 in donations during their six-hour shift on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Johnson Avenue Hy-Vee.

The Metro Sports Report Classic is a Pride Challenge event, as sanctioned by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Each Pride Challenge event carries a community service component and the MSR Classic is working with the Salvation Army as it celebrates its 125th anniversary in Cedar Rapids.

All eight schools also will be donating presents for children associated with the Salvation Army to enjoy at the holidays.

Metro teams win Jamboree contests

All four Metro boys basketball teams that played in the Jefferson Jamboree came away with victories Tuesday night.

Kennedy trimmed Mount Vernon 34-29, Washington edged Solon 18-17 on a 3-pointer by Jake Kramer at the buzzer, Jefferson strolled by Benton Community behind 17 points by Jacob Olson, and Xavier handled Vinton-Shellsburg 37-18.

Bryton Heisler topped a balanced attack for Kennedy with seven points. A.J. Carter and Brandon Buck scored six points.

Kramer led the Warriors with nine points on three 3-pointers. Maurice Arrington scored six points.

Kirkwood men feast on Black Hawk

Before that good home-cooking on Thanksgiving, the Kirkwood men's basketball team enjoyed some home-cooking on Tuesday, beating Black Hawk 81-65 in Johnson Hall.

The Eagles built a 42-25 halftime lead, but the Braves whittled it down to five in the second half before Kirkwood (7-2) turned things around.

"They are a good team and I thought we had a lot of letdowns on defense," sophomore guard Taylor Olson said. "Turnovers too. A lot of breakdowns. We weren't mentally tough during that run."

Eagle women pound Grand View JV

The Kirkwood women's basketball team started thinking about that good home-cooking on Tuesday against Grand View JV, but shook off the holiday yips for a big 76-38 win in Johnson Hall.

"That's what started happening," freshman post Hanna Haynes said. "At halftime, we thought, we have 20 more minutes, then we can go home."

It may have started a little sooner for Kirkwood (7-1). The Eagles blitzed the JV Vikings, racing out to a 32-8 lead.

Mikayla Fallon had two 3-pointers and Kirsten Larson and Taylor Silva each added their own during that early run. Kirkwood finished 6-of-21 from 3-point range (28.6 percent).