Metro Sports Report

A sneak peek at boys basketball

Tue - 29 Nov Written by Scott Unash

We continue our look at the 2011-12 basketball season this week by looking at the Metro boys teams.

The biggest question going into this winter is what will the Metro do for an encore?

Last year we enjoyed a once-in-a-generation season. Numerous Division I athletes, terrific teams and a state championship team to cap everything off in March. While it will be hard pressed to come even close to the heroics of a year ago, this season holds promise.

With that in mind let's look at the Metro rundown for 2011-12.

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J-Hawk grapplers double their pleasure

Wed - 30 Nov Written by Jim Ecker

The Cedar Rapids Jefferson wrestling team has doubled in size since last season, growing from 25 guys on the squad to about 50.

Thank you, Conner Herman. And thank you, Matt Orton.

Herman won the Class 3A state title at 215 pounds last year as a senior, spurring interest in the program. Orton won a state title for the J-Hawks in 1989 and is now one of the assistant coaches.

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New Xavier coach learned from Gable

Thu - 01 Dec Written by Jim Ecker

Ryan Chambers wrestled for the best coach in the history of the sport at the University of Iowa.

Now he wants to translate what he learned from Dan Gable into the wrestling program at Xavier High School.

"I learned how to be intense and work hard," said Chambers, who lettered at Iowa from 1992 to 1994 when the Hawkeyes won two NCAA titles. "You earn what you get, you earn what you work for. That's really about it."

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Fontana hopes Cougars learned their lesson

Mon - 28 Nov Written by Jim Ecker

The Cedar Rapids Kennedy boys basketball team had a 17-4 record and was heavily favored to defeat Dubuque Hempstead in their substate ballgame last February.

The Cougars had skunked Hempstead, 77-60, just 10 days before that substate encounter, but many of the Kennedy players apparently got caught looking ahead.

The Mustangs stunned the Cougars, 58-54, ending Kennedy's season in disappointment and frustration. Coach Bob Fontana said he still thinks about that game. Hempstead had a losing record, yet spoiled Kennedy's campaign.

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Despite playing on a gimpy ankle, Linn-Mar senior Marcus Paige (15) drives hard to the basket against Waukee's Nate Gehring during Tuesday's game at Linn-Mar. Paige scored 23 points to lead the Lions to a 53-48 win. (Photo by Ken Gilchrist)

Paige nets 23 as Lions trim Waukee

Tue - 29 Nov Written by Jim Ecker

Marcus Paige has not lost a basketball game in the Linn-Mar High School gym since he joined the Lions as a freshman in 2008.

He wasn't going to let a sprained ankle get in the way of that winning streak Tuesday night.

Paige popped in 23 points as Linn-Mar rallied to defeat Waukee, 53-48, in a season opener that matched two of the premier Class 4A programs in the state.

Paige rolled his right ankle in practice Monday night and was questionable until 90 minutes before tipoff.

"I just wanted to come out here and help my team and do whatever I could," he said. "I thought if I hadn't played I would have left them hanging. I'm glad I was able to make it through the game."

Paige was limping after the game, but happy he played as the 2011 state champions rallied from a seven-point deficit in the fourth quarter.

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