Jefferson High School - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Hannah Towns wins Metro Spotlight Award

Hannah Towns of Cedar Rapids Jefferson is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school girls this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday night.

Towns, a senior, is a key member of the Jefferson softball team that will be playing in the Class 5A state tournament in Fort Dodge this week. The J-Hawks meet Linn-Mar in the opening round Monday at 3:30 p.m.

Jefferson is ranked third in Class 5A with a 35-7 record.

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IHSAA needs to fix 4A substates

When I'm the new king of the Iowa High School Athletic Association, the first thing we're going to do is fix the Class 4A substate baseball tournaments.

It's long overdue.

This business of awarding second-round byes has to end. And this business of spreading the substate tournaments over six days has to end as well to prevent teams from riding a stud pitcher all the way to the state tournament.

As it stands now, a No. 1 seed can win an opening-round game on Friday with its star pitcher, draw a second-round bye on Monday and come back with its star pitcher in the substate finals on Wednesday with plenty of rest.

Baseball is a team game and should showcase an entire pitching staff, not just one guy.

We also have to change the system so we don't put Cedar Rapids Prairie and Iowa City West, two of the best teams in our area, in the same substate. Both of those teams deserve a clean shot at making the state tournament, but that won't happen this year because they're likely to meet in the substate finals Wednesday night and one of them will be eliminated.

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No. 3 J-Hawks shocked by North Scott

Invaders from Pluto, unhappy with the United States for spying on their planet, kidnapped the Cedar Rapids Jefferson baseball team Friday night and took their spot on the field against North Scott.

It was not a pretty sight.

The third-ranked J-Hawks played one of their worst games of the season and were shocked by North Scott, 11-8, in the opening round of the Class 4A substate baseball tournament at Jefferson.

The imposter from Pluto who wore Spencer VanScoyoc's jersey was knocked out of the box in the second inning and charged with seven runs.

The imposters who played defense for Jefferson committed five errors.

There were six walks, three wild pitches, two passed balls and a balk.

Jefferson entered the game with a 29-8 record, favored to make the state tournament for the first time since 1998. North Scott arrived at the Jefferson field with a 17-20 record, including a 6-1 loss to the J-Hawks during the regular season.

"It's not very often a 6-seed beats a 1-seed, but we have one goal this year and it's to go to state. We're still alive," said North Scott Coach Brad Hanna.

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Hansen tops all-Metro softball team

Cedar Rapids Jefferson catcher Maddie Hansen has been named the Athlete of the Year on the All-Metro Softball Team, as selected by Metro coaches.

Hansen, a senior, is hitting .504 with 11 home runs and 46 RBIs to rank among the state leaders in all three departments. She plans to play next season at Kirkwood Community College.

Hansen has helped the third-ranked J-Hawks reach the Class 5A state tournament with a 35-7 record. Jefferson will face Linn-Mar in the opening round at 3:30 p.m. Monday in Fort Dodge.

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Big crowd sees J-Hawks nip Prairie

An overflow crowd filled every nook-and-cranny at Larry Niemeyer Field on Tuesday night to watch two premier softball teams battle for a spot in the Class 5A state tournament.

When it ended, the fans gave both teams a standing ovation after the third-ranked Jefferson J-Hawks edged the Prairie Hawks, 3-2, to claim a cherished trip to the state tournament next week in Fort Dodge.

Jefferson (35-7) will face Linn-Mar (25-17) in the quarterfinals at 3:30 p.m. Monday.

"Very rarely do I look outside the fence during a game," said Jefferson coach Brian Erbe. "I really, truly don't, believe it or not. But holy cow, I looked around and I just couldn't believe it.

"They were three or four deep in the outfield around the fence. The stands were full. What a great atmosphere. We gave them every bang for their buck."

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J-Hawks claim first MVC title since 2005

The Jefferson J-Hawks needed three more outs to capture their first Mississippi Valley Conference title in 10 years Monday night, so Kyle Rodenkirk did what any smart coach would do.

He gave the ball to his best pitcher and relaxed.

Spencer VanScoyoc pitched a spotless inning in the top of the seventh as the third-ranked J-Hawks trimmed Dubuque Hempstead, 3-2, in the second game of their doubleheader to claim a share of the Valley Division title in the MVC.

Jefferson and Iowa City West tied for the crown with identical 20-6 records in the conference. The J-Hawks and Trojans split their doubleheader this year, with each team winning a one-run ballgame, so they were truly tied at the top.

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J-Hawks claim first MVC title since 2005

The Jefferson J-Hawks needed three more outs to capture their first Mississippi Valley Conference title in 10 years Monday night, so Kyle Rodenkirk did what any smart coach would do.

He gave the ball to his best pitcher and relaxed.

Spencer VanScoyoc pitched a spotless inning in the top of the seventh as the third-ranked J-Hawks trimmed Dubuque Hempstead, 3-2, in the second game of their doubleheader to claim a share of the Valley Division title in the MVC.

Jefferson and Iowa City West tied for the crown with identical 20-6 records in the conference. The J-Hawks and Trojans split their doubleheader this year, with each team winning a one-run ballgame, so they were truly tied at the top.

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Avery Guy wins Metro Spotlight Award

Avery Guy of Cedar Rapids Jefferson is the winner of the Metro Spotlight Award for high school girls this week, the Metro Sports Report announced Sunday.

Guy, a sophomore, is an excellent leadoff hitter and shortstop for the efferson softball team. The J-Hawks are ranked No. 3 in the state in Class 5A and have a 34-7 overall record.

Guy is hitting .470 with six home runs and 29 RBIs. She gives Jefferson speed and power at the top of the lineup, setting the stage for the rest of the club. She also has 10 stolen bases.

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No.3 J-Hawks reach regional finals

Hannah Towns belted a home run Saturday night as the third-ranked Jefferson J-Hawks topped Dubuque Senior, 8-3, in the Class 5A regional semifinals at Larry Niemeyer Field at Jefferson.

Jefferson (34-7) will host Cedar Rapids Prairie (27-11) in the regional finals Tuesday at 7 p.m., with the winner advancing to the Class 5A state tournament in Fort Dodge.

Erin Kuba went 2-for-2 with two RBIs for the J-Hawks Saturday night. Avery Guy also was 2-for-2.

All-state catcher Maddie Hansen had an RBI double.

Jefferson and Prairie split a doubleheader this season. The winner of their rubber match will make the state tournament.