Metro Sports Report

Marcus Paige named McDonald's All-American

Linn-Mar High School has produced its second McDonald's All-American basketball player in two years.

First Kiah Stokes in 2011, now Marcus Paige in 2012.

Paige has been selected to play in the 35th Annual McDonald's All-American game at the United Center in Chicago on March 28, the organization announced Thursday.

Lions not thrilled about state duals

The Linn-Mar Lions earned a spot in the state dual team wrestling tournament by whipping Pleasant Valley Wednesday night.

Darn it.

The Lions enjoyed their 48-11 conquest of the Spartans in the regional tournament, but they're not thrilled about wrestling three times in the state dual meet tournament next Wednesday at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

In fact, the Lions might use a bunch of junior varsity wrestlers in the Class 3A dual meet tournament and rest their top guys for the individual tournament that begins on Thursday.

Championship season blackout?

The championship season in Iowa high school athletics starts this weekend with the state swimming meet at Marshalltown.

After that the wrestlers take center stage in Des Moines, followed by the girls and boys state basketball tournaments. Also, the top bowlers in the state will be shooting for their titles.

Going back many decades these tournament finals (wrestling, girls and boys basketball) have been televised across the state of Iowa, giving people an opportunity to watch the top preps perform their magic.

But, that may not be the case this year.

Prairie matmen flatten North Scott

Prairie started with a pair of pins and rolled past North Scott, 48-25, Wednesday in Class 3A regional dual meet wrestling tournament match at Prairie.

The Hawks (28-6) advance to next week's state dual meet tournament at Des Moines. Prairie is seeded sixth and will face third-seeded Iowa City West (33-3) in the quarterfinals at 11 a.m. on Feb. 15 at Wells Fargo Arena. Semifinals are scheduled for 1 p.m. and the championship is at 7 p.m.