Sports

TIFFIN– The Marion Indians handed the Clear Creek Amana (CCA) varsity boys basketball team a 57-41 loss on Tuesday, Feb. 13, in the Clippers’ homeport. It was the second time this season the Creek Boys fell to Marion, the first coming Jan. 12, in Marion, when the Indians reigned, 60-37.
The Clippers and Indians were knotted in a 12-12 tie at the end of the first period, but Marion charged ahead to a 26-18 halftime lead and was up 44-27 going into the final quarter.

CEDAR RAPIDS– The Liberty High varsity girls basketball team ended the regular season with a 66-32 loss on the road, in Cedar Rapids, at Washington High School. The Warriors pounded the Lightning, 24-13, in the first period and never looked back on their way to their 12th win of the season.
Isabel Smith led the Lightning with 11 points, while Emily Larsen contributed nine and Cora Saunders produced eight. Sam McPherson and Megan Davis were held to only two points apiece on the night.

Iowa City West defeats CR Xavier 54-49 in battle of state champs
By Chris Umscheid
North Liberty Leader
CEDAR RAPIDS– Defending Class 4A champion Iowa City West High defeated the defending 3A champion Saints of Cedar Rapids Xavier 54-49 Thursday, Feb. 15, at Xavier.
The Saints proved to be quite a challenge for the Trojans, taking the first period 12-9 and leading West 28-24 at halftime. Xavier led 40-35 going into the final eight minutes, but the Trojans’ trademark defense kicked in to hold the Saints to a pair of field goals and a smattering of free throws.

For the third straight game, the Hawkeye women came out strong and finished off the Wisconsin Badgers, 88-61.
It was 23-13 at the end of the first quarter, 45-23 at half and Iowa never looked back.
“I was really happy,” said head coach Lisa Bluder. “We led this game for 39 minutes, it was tied for one minute. I told the team ‘you guys came out and dominated.’ When you dominate a Big Ten opponent at the end of the year that’s a really good thing.”
Balanced scoring and Megan Gustafson being Megan with 25 points in 26 minutes.

SOLON– It was another close win for the Solon boys.
The Spartan varsity basketball team avenged a January road loss with a 67-62 home victory over Mount Vernon Feb. 6.
Solon jumped out to a first-quarter lead, but the two teams battled back and forth in a see-saw affair throughout the game.
The Spartans actually trailed early, but hopped back into the game thanks in part to some early offense from senior Luke Schaeckenbach.