Metro Sports Report

Marion denied by No.3 Assumption

CLINTON - The clock operator at Clinton High School accidentally shortened Monday night's Class 3A substate final between Marion and Davenport Assumption by 17 seconds when the scoreboard malfunctioned in the first half.

The Marion Indians would have loved to have gotten them back, because every second counted with a trip to the state tournament hanging in the balance.

The Indians pushed the third-ranked Knights to the limit before falling, 51-47, in a well-played game on a neutral court.

For Wash girls, it's 'us against the world'

The Cedar Rapids Washington girls basketball team enjoyed a happy ride home from Ankeny last Tuesday night after they upset No.6 Waukee in the regional finals to claim a spot in the Class 5A state tournament.

"It was loud," senior Abby Herb reported. "We were happy and really excited."

The Warriors overcame severe foul problems, a technical foul and a two-hour bus ride to knock off Waukee, which only had to travel from one side of the Des Moines suburbs to another for the pivotal game against Washington.

Superstitious Lilly aims for 4th title

Tom Lilly needs a new shirt and tie. Maybe a new suit, too.

Lilly and the Xavier Saints are headed to the girls state basketball tournament Wednesday and the veteran coach does not want to jinx his team by wearing old clothes that have been tainted by state tournament defeats.

"I won't wear anything I've been beat in," he declared. "It's just a superstition I have.

"In years past, I'd go out and buy a new suit. I wouldn't go to a tournament with a suit that had a loss in it."

Kirkwood women grab 17th title in row

KEOKUK - The Kirkwood women's basketball team captured its 17th straight ICCAC title Saturday afternoon with a 59-45 victory over Southeastern Community College in Keokuk.

The second-ranked Eagles (25-3, 14-0) have reached the 25-win plateau for the 19th straight year.

Kianna Jacobs led Kirkwood with 14 points and seven rebounds. Whitney Rohrbach scored 11 points and Alexis Fitzpatrick collected seven assists.