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Jeff girls nudged by Cedar Falls

Cedar Falls edged the Jefferson girls bowling team, 2,520 to 2,414, in a Mississippi Valley Conference meet Friday in Cedar Rapids.

Madison Rasmussen had a high game of 205 and Megan Kitzmiller had a 382 series for the J-Hawks.

Jayden Robe bowled a 367 series for the Tigers.

CEDAR FALLS: Jayden Robe 188-179=367, Rachael Sears 166-180=346, Megan McDonell 169-172=341, Emily Barth 150-160=310, Madison Standing 136-151=287, Meridith Standing 121-123=244.

JEFFERSON: Megan Kitzmiller 201-181=382, Maddie Kisling 187-167=354, Madison Rasmussen 205-116=321, Hailey Kimble 157-141=298, Allie Schirmer 124-159=283, Lauren Sheets 110-84=194.

Cedar Falls: 1,651-869=2,520.

Jefferson: 1,638-776=2,414.

Bennett, Donner lift J-Hawks over Tigers

Tanner Bennett rolled a 258 game and Chaise Donner had a 464 series to lead the Jefferson boys bowling team in a 3,277 to 3,080 win over Cedar Falls in a Mississippi Valley Conference meet Friday in Cedar Rapids.

Nick Hanson had a 257 game and a 451 series for the Tigers.

CEDAR FALLS: Nick Hanson 194-257=451, Brandon Jerome 234-214=448, Dylan Swatek-Briggs 205-214=419, Avery Bauer 192-176=368, Jackson Reynolds 159-203=362, Dalton Swatek-Briggs 139-162=301.

JEFFERSON: Chaise Donner 246-218=464, Hunter Sturtz 257-200=457, Tanner Bennett 258-190=448, Riley Walton 214-202=416, John Gardner 214-183=397, Logan Miller 178-153=331.

Cedar Falls: 2,048-1,032=3,080.

Jefferson: 2,182-1,095=3,277.

Ollinger, Finley lead Lions by J-Hawks

When their team needed them most, Linn-Mar’s two stars came out bright Friday night.

First, senior Amanda Ollinger single-handedly wiped out a fast start by the energized visitors from Cedar Rapids Jefferson.

Then, as the scrappy J-Hawks made a fourth-quarter rally to pull within three points, steady sophomore Kamryn Finley swished seven free throws down the stretch to preserve a 55-44 Lion victory.

"I started out kind of slow,” said Finley, who made just one basket in the first half and another in the third quarter. “My shot wasn’t falling.

"When I started driving to the hoop and getting to the line for free throws, that sort of got my confidence back.”

For her part, Ollinger scored 18 of her team’s 20 first-quarter points (including the first dozen in a row) to assume a lead after a make-shift starting line-up on senior night spotted the J-Hawks to a 12-0 opening spurt.

"She had a fantastic first quarter,” Linn-Mar coach Jaime Brandt said. “It was special to start those five seniors. But Amanda really took over when she came in and gave us a spark when we needed it.”

Ollinger made just one basket and three free throws the rest of the way but made her presence felt with 23 points, 12 rebounds and six steals.

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J-Hawks upset No. 6 Lions, 71-70

After coming close so many times this season, the Jefferson boys basketball team simply found a way Friday night.

Valentino Green grabbed a rebound off a missed Dennis McKinney free throw and banked it home just before the final horn to give the J-Hawks a stunning 71-70 Mississippi Valley Conference win over No. 6 Linn-Mar at the Jefferson gym.

Green's winning basket set off a wild celebration as players and fans mobbed the 6-foot-2 senior while the Lions stood near their bench in stunned silence.

"We didn't have a play on," Green said. "We wanted to make the shot, but I knew if he missed it I was going to get the rebound. I battled for it and I knew I had to go up strong.

"This win shows just how hard we've been working," he continued. "Since Christmas break, we've been getting a lot better and it showed tonight."

Jefferson coach Brandon Horman just stood back and watched the celebration unfold. The J-Hawks dropped a 3-point decision on Tuesday at Dubuque Wahlert and refused to back down against the highly-regarded Lions.

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