Christmas in Denver

I just returned from visiting family out in Denver over Christmas, and it was an interesting time to be in the Wild, Wild West.

On the local sports scene, the Broncos were preparing to play the Chargers with their postseason life on the line. They died. The story dominated the pages of the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News, as you might expect. The “Rocky” may not be around much longer. It’s up for sale and might close. Bernie Lincicome still writes for that venerable old paper. Its demise would be a tragedy.

I attended a Nuggets game Friday night, an affair in which the home team rallied from a 12-point third quarter deficit to snag the win over the 76ers. Very entertaining. I’m not much of an NBA fan, but watching games in person is special. I snagged a great seat right behind one of the baskets for just $40 1 1/2 hours before tip-off. I’m still amazed by the size of NBA players when seen up close. They’re both big and graceful and the best basketball players on the planet. The show at the Pepsi Center is eye-popping, especially the one one put on by the mascot Rocky. He did his annual holiday “Nutcracker” routine in which he ends up falling hard – legs outstretched – on a balance beam. “Ladies and Gentlemen,” the PA announcer states in a melancholy voice as the act ends and Rocky limps off. “The Nutcracker.” It’s high theater.

Downtown Denver during the holidays is magnificent. Every building is lit up, most notebably Union Station, the old train depot. Larimer Square, where there is no vehicular traffic allowed except for horse-drawn carriages, is umbrelled in lights. Sixthteen Street, in all its grandeur, is the place to be, with great bars and eateries with easy access to the always rocking Lower Downtown  (LoDo) area, with clubs that nestle up to the Rockies’  Coors Field.

All the major sporting venues – Mile High Stadium (it’s new corporate name escapes me, although I think it has someting to with Invesco), the Pepsi Center (where the Nuggets and Avalanche play) and Coors Field are all within walking distance from one another. OK, you have to be a veteran walker like myself, but downtown Denver is accessable and first-class and seems relatively safe. I’ve felt more threatened in Dubuque, for the love of pete.

I took the city’s new light-rail train system from my parents home in Aurora downtown that night. It’s quick, easy and cheap. Why anyone would want to battle traffic to drive downtown from the suburbs instead of taking the light-rail is beyond me. It’s public transportation at its best.

I’m back in Cedar Rapids now where public transportation is lacking, to say the least, especially since the flood. It needs to be improved, starting with the buses running later into the night and on more expansive routes. I know a lot of folks who work downtown who would gladly leave their personal vehicles at home if public transportation was a more equitable and timely option.

Cedar Rapids isn’t Denver. Never has been, never will be. But I’m convinced some sort of light-rail system that ran north-south from Hiawatha to the airport (dare I say, Iowa City?) and east west from Fairfax to Marion would used by a lot of folks. Buses could fill in the gaps. It won’t happen, of course; there too many other pressing needs in the community right now. But first-class public transportation is a benchmark of a first-class community. Visit Denver sometime and see for yourself.

Final pre-break Super 10

Here’s the final boys’ basketball area Super 10 as will appear in Tuesday’s Gazette. The main concern here is that I have all the teams’ records correct. It’s getting more and more difficult to keep track of when postponed games were rescheduled. Bud Legg of the IHSAA said in an e-mail that 478 boys’ games statewide needed to be rescheduled after Friday’s postponements. Dozens more bit the dust Saturday night.

Anyway, The Super 10:

SUPER 10

 

1.       Linn-Mar                              5-0          1

2.       Solon                                    3-0          2

3.       C.R. Kennedy                       5-0          4

4.       Union                                   5-0          6

5.       Iowa City High                     4-0          5

6.       HLV                                      4-0          7

7.       C.R. Washington                 2-2          ‑

8.       C.R. Jefferson                      4-1          3

9.       Oelwein                               3-0          10

10.   Iowa Mennonite                  4-0          -

 

Class 4A – 1. Linn-Mar (5-0), 2. C.R. Kennedy (5-0), 3. Iowa City High (4-0), 4. C.R. Washington (2-2), 5. C.R. Jefferson (4-1).

 

Class 3A – 1. Union (5-0), 2. Oelwein (3-0), 3. Benton Community (4-1), 4. Waukon (3-1), 5. Marion (4-3).

 

Class 2A – 1. Solon (3-0), 2. South Winneshiek (3-0), 3. Dyersville Beckman (3-0), 4. North Cedar (4-0), 5. West Liberty (4-1).

 

Class 1A – 1. HLV (4-0), 2. Iowa Mennonite (4-0), 3.West Central (3-0), 4. Keota (4-0), 5. East Buchanan (5-1).

Another update on former Metro players in D-I

Mike Hlas wrote an excellent piece this week about the success two former Metro basketball players – Washington’s Nate Garner and Kennedy’s Kaylon Williams – are enjoying this season at Evansville of the Missouri Valley Conference.

There are also two Linn-Mar graduates contributing on the D-I level, and a third is sitting out the season with an injury.

Former Iowa Mr. Basketball Jason Bohannon is starting for Wisconsin of the Big Ten, and the 6-3 junior has become a major player for Coach Bo Ryan. He recorded 11 points, five rebounds and two assists in the Badgers’ 57-46 win over Coppin State Saturday, and averages 31 minutes, 10.7 points, 3 rebounds and 1.5 assists for the 9-2 Badgers.

Jordan Printy, a 6-5 redshirt freshman at Indiana State, is coming off the bench to average 16 minutes, 3.5 points and 2.8 assists for the 2-8 Sycamores.

There was also a Grant Gibbs sighting Saturday, although Gonzaga’s Gibbs was spotted on the bench in street clothes wearing a sling over his right shoulder during No. 8 Gonzaga’s thrilling 88-83 overtime loss to No. 2 Connecticut. Gibbs suffered a dislocated shoulder during a practice session Nov. 10 and underwent surgery for a torn labrum. The 6-5 freshman will reshirt this year.

Pre-holiday thoughts on MVC

The December portion of the Mississippi Valley Conference schedule is coming to a close with only a handful of games remaining before Christmas. Here are some thoughts after having the number of games witnessed limited by weather postponements:

Cedar Rapids Washington is going to be all right in Coach Brad Metzger’s first season. I watched the Warriors beat a pretty good Jefferson team by 16 points last night – they led by as many as 25 in the third quarter – and it’s a team that will only get better as football players Keenan Davis, Wyatt Suess, Sam O’Donnell, Avery McBride and Shay Gutman get their “basketball legs” beneath them. They played relaxed and seem to enjoy themselves and each other. Chad Christensen is a dead-on shooter from long range.

Dubuque Wahlert remains a bit of a puzzle. The defending 3A state champs have dropped a pair of games already, including a league game to up-and-coming Waterloo West. Iowa-bound Eric May is a stud, but he’s not getting much help. It will be interesting to see if the Golden Eagles turn things around in January.

Cedar Rapids Kennedy is better than advertised, led by sophomore Kyle Lamaak and seniors Jake Hughes, Alex Coleman and Jake Hefferenen. The Cougars play terrific defense and gave up a little over 40 points a game in their 5-0 start.

Linn-Mar is still the cream of the crop. The Lions are scoring points by the truckload recently – 84, 80 and 90 in their last three games. They take a 5-0 record into the break.

City High is 4-0 despite playing without all-state post Malcolm Moore, who will be elgible after the break. Junior A.J. Derby has been carrying the Little Hawks, much like he did this fall on the football field. What a terrific athlete.

Prairie started 2-0 in non-conference play, but now has lost three straight and has dropped its last 35 MVC games. The Hawks are better this year and no one works harder, but they’re still a little outmanned in the MVC. They played Linn-Mar tough for a half Friday night, but ran out of gas in the second half. It’s impossible to predict if and when they’ll halt their league losing streak, but I’m predicting it will happen sometime in January.

More on this next week as kick back with my family in Denver, gazing out at the snow-capped Rockies. I’ll try to provide updates on the Nuggets and Avalanche, as warranted.

Looking in on Linn-Mar

Because of weather postponements and general scheduling quirks, I haven’t been able to see Linn-Mar play yet this season and won’t before the holiday break. That’s a shame,  because Coach Chris Robertson and the Lions continue to have the premier boys’ basketball team in the state, regardless of class.

Linn-Mar is off to a 4-0 start, shares the No. 1 ranking in Class 4A with Ames and is looking to make its sixth straight trip to the state tournament. Robertson is in his fourth season as head coach (after taking over for Mark Hutcheson, who led the Lions to a state championship and a runner-up finish in ‘o4 and ‘05) and with the four wins this season, has a career record of 70-10 at the school. All together now: Wow! Again, Wow!

The Lions, third at last year’s state tournament, are led by D-I recruits Zach Bohannon (Air Force) and Nate Hutcheson (Western Michigan). Hutcheson is the former coach’s son. Both 6-foot-7, Bohannon is averaging 17.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists this season. Hutcheson averages 14.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, with 10 blocks. They’ve been earning their scholarships as three-year starters, but this year they’re really coming to the fore.

Another addition to this year’s team is freshman Marcus Paige. A 5-11 point guard, Paige has already been offered a scholarship from Iowa State and looks like the the next big thing to come out of this school on north 10th Street in Marion. Paige is averaging 6.8 points with seven steals. Bohannon, Hutcheson and Paige all shoot better than 53 percent from the field.

It’s looking like another special season at Linn-Mar, something everyone has come to expect. The Lions will have their hands full in a substate that includes Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Washington, and Dubuque Hempstead, but this may be one of Robertson’s best teams yet.

I’m looking into the possibility of accompanying the team on its swing to Sioux City to face 3A No. 1 Heelan and a very good 4A North team in mid-January. That would be a lot of fun.

Another Tuesday night off

Four inches of snow has once again wiped out Tuesday night’s high school basketball slate.

Four inches. You’ve got to be kidding. When I was playing high school basketball in the mid-70s, five inches of snow was nothing but a dusting as me and my Jefferson J-Hawk teammates traveled down Highway 30 to play in the old gym at Clinton, or down I-80 to play in the new gym at Bettendorf or the ancient monstrosity at Davenport Central. I honestly do not remember a game ever being postponed or cancelled. My memory is shot, but I honestly do not remember it ever happening.

Ah well. It’s another semi-Tuesday night off, trying to keep track of when the games are going to be rescheduled. My colleague Jeff Linder is feeding me all the pertinent details. He’s a keeper.

Another round of snow is predicted later in the week. If there are more postponements, don’t expect the boys’ standings to be entirely up to date the rest of the season. Any input as to when games will be rescheduled will be greatly appreciated. I need your help.

New AP poll out

The most recent Associated Press boys’ basketball poll was released Monday night and there is an expected gridlock atop the 4A rankings.

Linn-Mar and Ames are tied at the No. 1 spot, which will continue throughout the season until one of them loses. Iowa City High is No. 3, Cedar Rapids Kennedy No. 5 and Cedar Rapids Jefferson No. 6.

I voted Linn-Mar No. 1, Ames No. 2, Jefferson No. 5, Kennedy No. 6 and City High No. 8. I’m not dissing City High, it’s just that right now the Little Hawks are playing without all-state big-man Malcolm Moore until January (it’s my understanding it’s an academic eligibilty issue) and they barely eeked out a two-point win over Hempstead last week.

Sioux City Heelan is No. 1 in 3A (where I voted them), followed by Harlan and Union. That’s a good top-three. Keep an eye on Union and coach Aaron Thomas. The Knights went to the state tournament last year and returned four starters.

The surprise is in 2A. Statewide voters apparently haven’t yet caught on to how special this Solon team is. The Spartans are ranked No. 3 behind Hull Western Christian and Pella Christian (two outstanding teams, by the way) despite winning their first three games by an average of 36 points. This is a special Solon team and one I plan to feature in next Tuesday’s Gazette.

Rock Valley and Iowa State recruit Jordan Dykstra are a unanimous No. 1 in 1A. Iowa Mennonite is No. 5, West Central No. 6 and HLV No. 7. No arguments here.

Again, offer any insights as to how I should vote. I have huge ears and am willing to listen.

Latest boys’ Super 10

Iowa City West and Western Dubuque each lost twice last week and Marion lost for a second time this season, causing a shake-up at the bottom of the area Super 10.

Here are the new rankings:

SUPER 10

 

1.       Linn-Mar              4-0          1

2.       Solon                    3-0          2

3.       C.R. Jefferson    4-0          4

4.       C.R. Kennedy     4-0          5

5.       Iowa City High   3-0          3

6.       Union Comm.    4-0          6

7.       HLV                        2-0          8

8.       Dyersville  Beckman 3-0          -

9.       South Winneshiek                3-0          -

10.   Oelwein              2-0          -

 

Class 4A – 1. Linn-Mar (4-0), 2. C.R. Jefferson (4-0), 3. C.R. Kennedy (4-0), 3. Iowa City High (3-0), 4. C.R. Washington (1-2), 5. Iowa City West (1-2).

Class 3A – 1. Union Community (4-0), 2. Oelwein (2-0), 3. Marion (3-2), 4. Benton Community (2-1), 5. Mount Vernon (2-2).

Class 2A – 1. Solon (3-0), 2. Dyersville Beckman (3-0), 3. South Winneshiek (3-0), 4. North Cedar (3-0), 5.  West Liberty (4-1).

Class 1A – 1. HLV (2-0), 2. Iowa Mennonite (3-0), 3. West Central (3-0), 4. Keota (3-0), 5. Central City (3-0).

 

A quick note on Solon, which I almost moved up to No. 1. The Spartans have won their first three games by an average score of 73 to 37. That’s a scary team.

Linn-Mar grad wins D-II title

Bob Nielson, a 1979 Linn-Mar High School graduate, coached the University of Minnesota-Duluth to the NCAA Division II national championship Saturday. The Bulldogs finished 15-0 while winning their first national championship by beating Northwest Missouri State, 21-14, in the title game.

Nielson is a Wartburg grad and coached at the Waverly school from 1991-96. He is also UM-D’s athletic director.

He is one of three Linn-Mar grads who played roles in this year’s D-II playoffs. Kevin Buisman and Scott Underwood, both Class of ‘83, figured in prominently. Buisman is the AD at Minnesota State-Mankato and Underwood is the head coach at St. Cloud State. Buisman and Underwood were members of Coach Greg Purnell’s 1982 Linn-Mar team that finished 10-1 and also the ‘83 basketball team coached by Bob Landis that won a state championship with a 25-0 record.

Purnell recently coached Wheaton (Ill.) St. Francis to the Illinois Class 5A state championship in his second year on the job.

Here’s a link to a story posted last month on the St. Cloud State Web site outlining the ties between Nielson, Buisman and Underwood.

http://www.stcloudstate.edu/athletics/sports/football/story.asp?storyID=27076

J-Hawks’ Beck goes down; is he out?

I covered my fifth game of the season Saturday (not counting the jamboree) and I walked away from Cedar Rapids Jefferson’s 65-49 win over Marion believing the J-Hawks are the real deal.

Senior Chad Underwood is one of the state’s best. He is averaging 25 points and almost 10 rebounds in Jefferson’s four wins to start the season, and if he continues that pace and the J-Hawks advance to the state t0urnament, expect his name to come up in any Mr. Basketball discussion.

Coach Stu Ordman is bringing a pair of freshmen off the bench, and they’re both deserving of varsity playing time. Taylor Olson and Teyshawn Campbell combined for 15 points and were 7-for-7 from the free throw line in the Marion win.

But early in the third quarter, senior Sid Beck – the J-Hawks’ second leading scorer and just one of those guys who makes things happen - went down with what at first-glance looked like a serious knee injury. He left the gym on crutches, never putting his right leg to the floor.

“We’ll be very anxious to hear about Sid,” Ordman said. “He’s such a good leader as well as a player. We have lots of guys who can play, so we’ll just have to take whatever challenges come our way.”

Here’s hoping Beck, a terrific all-around athlete, can make a quick and complete return.