Metro Sports Report

No.5 Kirkwood softball team ready to go

The Kirkwood softball team won 50 straight games last season and reached the semifinals of the national tournament, but graduation and two early departures have left the Eagles with a vastly different club this year.

The expectations remain as high as ever, however, as the fifth-ranked Eagles get ready to open the 2014 season at the St. Ambrose indoor tournament Saturday.

"I think we're biting at the bit to go," said Coach Joe Yegge.

Yegge knew he'd lose a good chunk of his lineup to graduation, but All-American pitcher Amber Logemann and all-star shortstop Leah Duffe both left Kirkwood after their freshman campaigns to play at a four-year school.

Hembera nets 34 as CVC ends season

SIGOURNEY - Shelby Hembera collected 34 points and 23 rebounds Thursday night as Cedar Valley Christian lost to Sigourney, 60-41, in the Class 1A regional tournament in Sigourney.

The Huskies finished their third season of IGHSAU basketball with a 1-21 record.

Jordan Carter led Sigourney with 22 points.

Prairie pins Mason City for regional title

There won't be any votes before the Prairie Hawks meet Linn-Mar in the opening round of the Class 3A state dual meet wrestling tournament in Des Moines next Wednesday.

If Coach Blake Williams tells his guys to back off and wait for the individual state tournament that starts next Thursday, that's what they'll do. And if decides to use his top lineup against Linn-Mar and aim for the title, they'll do that as well.

Prairie collected seven pins and squashed No.14 Mason City, 55-17, in the regional finals Wednesday night at Prairie to earn another trip to the state dual meet tournament next week.

The fourth-ranked Hawks (20-3) will face No.5 Linn-Mar (22-6) in the quarterfinals Wednesday at 9 a.m. at Wells Fargo Arena.

J-Hawk wrestlers headed to state duals

ELDRIDGE - Jefferson built a huge early lead then held off North Scott, 41-29, Wednesday night to advance to next week's state dual meet wrestling tournament.

Brenden Baker's pin at 106 pounds in the last bout sealed the Class 3A regional victory for the J-Hawks.

Jefferson (13-1) is seeded seventh in the state meet and will face No.2 seed Waverly-Shell Rock (20-0) in the first round at 9 a.m. on Feb. 19 at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.