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Latest Lions News

Linn-Mar High School - Marion, Iowa

Ollinger, Finley lead Lions by J-Hawks

Sat - 30 Jan Written by Tom Fruehling

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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Last Updated on Saturday, 30 January 2016 00:32

Valentino Green pulls down a rebound from a missed free throw and scores as time expires to give Jefferson a 71-70 win over Linn-Mar on Friday night at Jefferson. (MSR photo by Ken Gilchrist).

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

Fri - 29 Jan Written by Mike Condon

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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Last Updated on Friday, 29 January 2016 22:49

Kennedy girls fall; Lions, Warriors climb

Thu - 28 Jan Written by Metro Sports Report

The Cedar Rapids Kennedy girls basketball team dropped from No. 1 all the way down to No. 6 in the new Class 5A rankings Thursday by the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

Kennedy (15-2) lost last week to Cedar Falls, which used the victory to jump from 10th to fourth in the rankings. Ankeny Centennial is the top-ranked team in Class 5A this week.

The Linn-Mar Lions (12-4) jumped from 13th to 10th in the Class 5A rankings. The Washington Warriors (11-6) claimed the 15th and final spot in the poll.

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Kamryn Finley fires a 3-pointer for the Linn-Mar Lions during their 47-41 victory over Xavier Tuesday night. (MSR photo by Margaret O'Banion).

No. 12 Lions hold off Xavier

Tue - 26 Jan Written by Jim Ecker

Just a few short years ago, Tom Lilly battled against Jamie Printy when she was a star player for the Linn-Mar Lions.

Now Lilly is battling against Jamie (Printy) Brandt in her new role as the young girls basketball coach of the Lions, continuing their rivalry and friendship on a different level.

Brandt and the Lions won their latest confrontation with Lilly and the Xavier Saints, 47-41, in a Mississippi Valley Conference game Friday night at Linn-Mar.

When it was over, Lilly congratulated Brandt on a job well done and they both left the floor with smiles.

Lilly has won more than 500 games and four state titles at Xavier, and now he's competing against a new generation of coaches like Brandt, who comes from a successful basketball family.

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 January 2016 00:51

Max Techau (32) and one of his teammates celebrate Xavier's 68-63 victory Tuesday night at Linn-Mar. Techau led the Saints with 21 points. (MSR photo by Margaret O'Banion).

Ya gotta believe! Saints whip Lions

Tue - 26 Jan Written by Jim Ecker

If you did not believe in the Xavier Saints before they played at Linn-Mar on Tuesday night, it's time to start.

The Saints put on a sterling performance and whipped the Lions for the third straight year at Linn-Mar, this time 68-63 in the Metro Game of the Year so far.

Xavier is ranked No. 2 in Class 3A by the Associated Press and Linn-Mar is ranked No. 6 in Class 4A, but this game belonged to the gritty Saints who have taken dead aim on the first Mississippi Valley Conference title in school history.

"It's a quality win," Xavier coach Ryan Luehrsmann said. "Anytime you beat a program that's as strong as they are -- and well-coached -- you have to feel good about it.

"I'm really happy with our kids. They just stuck together, showed some toughness and battled it out. That's what you have to do on the road in the MVC."

Xavier trailed 54-49 with less than four minutes remaining, but the Saints went on an 8-0 run and outscored the Lions 19-9 coming down the stretch to emerge with the victory.

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Last Updated on Wednesday, 27 January 2016 09:36