Metro Sports Report

Sad story is top story of 2012

Sat - 22 Dec Written by Jim Ecker

Drew Wall never won any golf titles at Kennedy High School or made any dramatic shots to win a big meet, but his courageous and unflinching battle with cancer touched thousands of lives during his short time on earth.

His death in November gripped friends and strangers alike as they mourned the loss of a special young man, a young person filled with talent, great promise and hope.

Sadly, Drew Wall's passing is the top story for 2012, although we fervently wish the story would have been about his remarkable recovery instead of his tragic death.

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Washington's Colby Bjornsen (12) drives around Jefferson's Dani Stromert during Friday night's game at Washington. The 10th-ranked Warriors beat the J-Hawks, 58-39. (Photo by Ken Gilchrist)

Howell tops Edwards in battle of good buddies

Fri - 21 Dec Written by Jim Ecker

Jason Edwards enjoyed some great times as Frank Howell's sidekick for eight years with the Cedar Rapids Washington girls basketball program.

His seat on the opponent's bench Friday night wasn't nearly as much fun.

Edwards left the Warriors after last season to succeed Larry Niemeyer as the head coach at Jefferson, knowing full well he'd have to face Howell and the Warriors at least twice each year.

Howell and the 10th-ranked Warriors took Round 1 against their old buddy, 58-39, in a Mississippi Valley Conference game that does not count in the league standings.

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Jefferson's Jacob Olson (2) takes the ball to the basket against Washington's Nehemiah Newman during Friday's game at Washington. Olson scored 31 points to lead the J-Hawks to a 57-36 win. (Photo by Ken Gilchrist)

Olson nets 31 as J-Hawks top Wash

Fri - 21 Dec Written by Jim Ecker

There have been some outstanding point guards in the Metro area in recent years with Marcus Paige, Wes Washpun and Taylor Olson.

Jacob Olson is making a strong push this season to make it a foursome.

Olson poured in a career-high 31 points Friday night to steer Jefferson past Washington, 57-36, in a Mississippi Valley Conference game in the Washington gym.

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Prairie's Jace Hanna (22) drives around Linn-Mar's Matt Meier during Friday night's game at Prairie. Hanna scored 10 points and the Hawks beat the Lions, 46-33. (Photo by Joe Bishop)

Prairie boys hustle past Lions

Sat - 22 Dec Written by Tom Fruehling

It’s as true in sports as it is in combat, that when the going gets tough the tough get going.

The Linn-Mar and Prairie boys were locked in a knock-down-drag-out battle for three quarters Friday night on the Hawks home court.

And with the win on the line, Prairie turned up the heat and the Lions melted.

“It’s very disappointing,” said Linn-Mar Coach Chris Robertson after the 46-33 defeat. “They were clearly the tougher team. They were much more aggressive.

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Prairie's Olivia Usher (black jersey) looks for a shot under the basket as she is defended by Linn-Mar's Mykaela Brandt during Friday night's game at Linn-Mar. Usher had four points and the Hawks routed the Lions, 53-34. (Photo by Justin Tedford)

Prairie bounces past Linn-Mar girls

Fri - 21 Dec Written by Randy Krejci

Madison Dellamuth scored 21 points and the Prairie girls rolled over Linn-Mar, 53-34, Friday night in a Mississippi Valley Conference basketball game at Linn-Mar.

Prairie (7-3, 5-2) was looking to bounce back from a 46-23 loss at Dubuque Hempstead last Friday night that dropped the Hawks out of the Class 5A rankings.

“We’ve got to play better defense, play with more urgency on defense, and we have to forget about the poor performance at Hempstead,” Prairie Coach Steve Doser said before the game.

Mission accomplished.

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