Metro Sports Report

Xavier defense features men of steel

The Steel Curtain is taken. The defensive line for the Pittsburgh Steelers had that clever nickname in the 1970's when they won four Super Bowls.

Iron Curtain is available, since the Cold War ended 1991, but that's a geo-political term.

So what should we call the Xavier High School defensive unit that has thrown eight shutouts this season en route to the semifinals of the Class 4A playoffs?

Linn-Mar unveils 'awesome' new pool

Amazing. Fantastic. Awesome.

Those were some of the superlatives tossed around Thursday evening when the Linn-Mar School District introduced its new $11.7 million aquatic center to the public.

"It's amazing. And it's so well-lit," said Linn-Mar senior Samantha Fitzgerald. "And it's so clean right now. I can't wait to get in (the water) in a week or two."

The Linn-Mar boys swimming team will begin practicing in the aquatic center next Thursday. The first meet is scheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 10 when the boys will host Cedar Falls.

Franklin, Hobbs lead Warriors into season

Franklin and Hobbs sounds like a television show about two female detectives, but that's not it.

Dani Franklin and Aleena Hobbs are two of the premier basketball players in the Metro area, giving Cedar Rapids Washington a strong 1-2 punch.

Franklin, who has signed an NCAA Division I scholarship with Valparaiso University, averaged 17.0 points and 7.5 rebounds last season. She's a versatile 6-foot-1 player who can hurt opponents near the basket and from the 3-point line.

Laube has young squad with Marion girls

Corby Laube helps coach both of his daughters' AAU youth basketball teams and also coaches his son's fourth grade team, so he's accustomed to working with young players.

That's good, because he also coaches the Marion High School girls basketball team and there's not a single 12th grader on the club.

There could have been two seniors this year, but Emi Banes tore her ACL last summer and has been lost for the season and another senior elected not to play.