Metro Sports Report

Marion downs Waterloo Columbus, 75-58

Marion used a 14-0 run in the first quarter to take a commanding 20-7 lead and Waterloo Columbus never really challenged the remainder of the night in a Wamac Conference girls basketball game Tuesday.

Marion used balanced scoring and a solid second-half press to dunk Columbus, 75-58, at Marion.The Class 3A No. 11 Indians snapped a three-game losing skid.

“We have been trying to find some consistency in our defensive game,” said Marion Coach Brian O’Donnell. “Our second-half press helped us get closer to the consistency that we are looking for.”

No. 9 Warriors nudge No. 5 Saints

It took nine games, but Tasha Roundtree finally helped Cedar Rapids Washington win a basketball game.

Roundtree scored 10 points Monday as the ninth-ranked Warriors trimmed No. 5 Xavier, 40-38, in a Mississippi Valley Conference game at the Xavier gym.

Roundtree was suspended for the first five games of the season because she failed a class. "It was a gym class, believe it or not," she said a little sheepishly. "I learned my lesson. It won't happen again."

Washington won all five of its games without Roundtree to get the season started in the right direction. She returned Dec. 20, but the Warriors were upset by Waterloo West that night and fell into a three-game losing streak.

Regis championship was unforgettable

Sometimes I can’t remember what I had for lunch the day before, and other times events of years ago are in clear focus.

I can’t recall the name of my kindergarten teacher but I have fond memories in March of that year, when Cedar Rapids Regis’ boys’ basketball team sent the city into a wild celebration.

I was 6 years old in 1962 when Bob “Red’’ Jennings coached the Royals to a 76-64 victory over Laurens in the state championship game. The next day, as was customary in most towns, the school held a celebration for the victors.

Linn-Mar pool project is on again

The on-again off-again plan for a Linn-Mar school district swimming pool is back on again.

And this time it looks like it might actually be built.

“We’ve been talking about it for too long,” school board member Bob Crawford said Monday at a board work session. “We’re either going to be a school with a pool or a school without a pool. I say it’s time we get on with it.”

Though no decision was made at Monday’s meeting, the board directed Superintendent Katie Mulholland to report back at the Jan. 23 session with some specific cost figures and other details.