Kennedy Boys Basketball

Heisler wins Metro Spotlight Award

Bryton Heisler of Kennedy is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school boys this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Heisler, a 6-foot-2 senior, was a key member of the Kennedy basketball team that reached the quarterfinals of the Class 4A state tournament and finished with an 18-6 record. He led the Cougars with 22 points in their 58-51 loss to Pleasant Valley at the state meet.

Read more...

Cold Cougars fall to PV at state

DES MOINES - You could sense the Kennedy Cougars might be in trouble at the state basketball tournament Wednesday night when Pleasant Valley put an imposing starting lineup on the floor that stood 6-foot-7, 6-foot-6, 6-foot-6 and 6-foot-5.

All four of those Spartans were taller than Kennedy's tallest starter.

You also could sense the Cougars might be in trouble when they kept clanking their 3-pointers on their way to a dreadful 3-for-20 performance from long range.

The Cougars managed to overcome a 12-point deficit and take a 44-42 lead on a rare 3-pointer with 4:14 left in the game on the strength of an impressive 18-4 run, but the fun ended there.

Pleasant Valley marched to the foul line and hit 14 straight free throws in the final 3 minutes, 22 seconds and defeated Kennedy, 58-51, in the opening round of the Class 4A tournament at Wells Fargo Arena.

The Spartans, who began the season with 19 straight victories, will face Des Moines Hoover in the semifinals Friday afternoon. The Cougars retired for the season with an 18-6 mark, losing in the first round of the state tournament for the second straight under second-year head coach Jon McKowen.

"When we're smaller across the front line, we've got to shoot it a little bit, especially when they're a pack-man team," said McKowen. "They really want to pack it in tight (on defense).

Read more...

Prairie Hawks hold off J-Hawks

The Prairie boys escaped an inspired bunch from Jefferson by the skin of their teeth Monday night in opening-round play of the Class 4A substate boys basketball tournament.

And now the Hawks get a second crack at top-ranked and undefeated Iowa City West Friday night on the Trojans' home floor.

“It’ll be a tall task,” acknowledged even-keel Prairie Coach Jeremy Rickertsen in the home team locker room after Monday’s 60-51 nail-biter against Jefferson. “But it’s like we stressed to the guys: You gotta believe.

“If you don’t believe we can beat them, don’t get on the bus.”

Jefferson Coach Brandon Horman had a similar message beforehand for his hard-luck J-Hawks. And they came within a couple of missed shots toward the tail-end of winning just their second game of a disappointing season.

Read more...

Saints, Cougars could win state titles

The Xavier Saints and Kennedy Cougars could win boys state basketball titles this week in Des Moines if they play well and take advantage of the big 94-foot court at Wells Fargo Arena.

On the other hand, both teams could lose in the first round if they get stage fright and kick it around.

Here's betting it will be a fun week in Des Moines for Xavier and Kennedy, which have more in common than simply a campus that borders 42nd Street NE in Cedar Rapids.

The Saints and Cougars are mirror-images of each other in many ways.

Both teams have balanced attacks with lots of explosive players who are capable of scoring 20 points in a ballgame (and have).

Read more...