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The
Official Newspaper of Anamosa, located in Jones County, Iowa
Anamosa News
Since 1855
 Thursday, February 22, 2007
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Raiders fall in 3A regionals
By
Daryl Schepanski - Sports Editor |
ANAMOSA— Sometimes it doesn’t matter how well you play, when the other team is on, it’s going to be a long night.
For the Anamosa girls basketball team, Thursday, February 15, was one of those nights and unfortunately their 45-28 loss against visiting Maquoketa in a class 3A regional quarter-final cost the Raiders their season.
“This was one of those nights where the shots just wouldn’t fall for us and they were for them,” said Anamosa girls basketball coach Jack Leighty after his team struggled from the field shooting just 24-percent in the contest but were still in the game early in the fourth quarter. “Our defense kept us in this game until Maquoketa just started making shots from everywhere in the fourth quarter. Then their lead really started to grow and we knew it was going to be a tough night.”
The Raider girls fought with the Cardinals through the first quarter of play as the two teams were locked in a 7-7 tie after the first eight minutes of regional action.
Maquoketa made a mini-run in the second quarter building a 19-14 halftime advantage after using a 12-7 spurt, including a stretch where they held Anamosa without a point for more than five minutes. |
Open space
Anamosa senior Traci Dirks looks for a pass from freshman teammate Kayla Sanborn during early action from the Raiders’ 45-28 season-finale hosting Maquoketa Thursday, February 15, in a regional quarter-final. Dirks, an Anamosa starter for the last three years closed a brilliant Raider girls basketball career in the 17-point defeat. (Journal-Eureka photo by Daryl Schepanski) |
“It was that stretch in the second quarter where we seemed to lose a bit of our aggressiveness offensively,” said Leighty. “Other than that stretch, we did a nice job running the offense and attacking the basket and getting the kind of shots we wanted to get.”
Anamosa answered scoring 10 points out of the gate in the third quarter as did the Cardinals and through three quarters of action, the hosts, though trailing, were still very much in the game on the short end of a 29-24 score.
“I can’t fault the girls for their effort in the fourth quarter but the shots just would not go down for us,” said Leighty. “We attacked, we drove to the basket and did the things we needed to do to try and stay in this game, they just didn’t produce any points.”
The Cardinals went on a 9-0 run to start the final frame and built a 38-24 lead before the Raider girls scored their first points of the fourth quarter with three minutes remaining. |
Blue and Red battle
Anamosa sophomore Maisie Timp passes the basketball to a teammate during the Raiders’ 45-28 setback hosting Maquoketa in a class 3A regional quarter-final Thursday, February 15. (Journal-Eureka photo by Daryl Schepanski) |
“Maquoketa just knocked down some big shots,” said Leighty. “In many cases there wasn’t anything we could do about it either. We played good defense but when a team is on like they were in that fourth quarter, there’s not a whole lot you can do.”
The final frame ended with the Cardinals going on a huge 17-4 spurt to close out the 18-point triumph and end the Anamosa girls basketball campaign.
“Maquoketa is a more experienced team than we are and they played much more physical too,” said Leighty. “We need to get ready for play like this next year in the WaMaC.”
Traci Dirks led the hosts scoring eight points while Kayla Sanborn added seven more. Paige Goetz chipped in with six.
“I wish we could have kept this season going at least a little longer especially for Traci,” said Leighty. “She’s been a great leader for us all year long and we’ll really miss her next year.”
Jackie Engelbart scored four points off the Raider bench while Maisie Timp added three more.
The loss capped an Anamosa girls basketball season that saw a 9-13 record overall. |
Bowen, Gudenkauf make return trips to state
By
Daryl Schepanski - Sports Editor |
TIPTON — They’ve been through the pressure of a district wrestling tournament before and coming in as underdogs with runner-up finishes at sectionals the week before, Midland’s Spencer Bowen and Adam Gudenkauf proved themselves to be among Iowa’s elite once again.
The two Eagle stars earned their second straight trip to Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines and the state wrestling tournament after securing runner-up finishes at the pressure-filled class 1A district meet in Tipton Saturday, February 17.
Bowen and Gudenkauf both posted key semi-final triumphs on their way to taking second at 125 and 215 pounds, respectively.
Bowen opened against Wapello’s Hector Salas, who was a sectional champion the week before, but didn’t face wrestlers the calibre of Bowen, who quickly jumped out to a 4-0 first period lead scoring a takedown and two-point nearfall. |
Spencer Bowen
Runner-up finish at 1A district meet earns 125-pound Midland junior second straight trip to state wrestling meet. |
After choosing down to start the second period, Bowen scored a quick escape and then took Salas down vaulting his lead to 7-0. But Bowen wasn’t done yet scoring in the second stanza tallying another takedown to lead 9-1 after two periods.
After yet another escape and takedown by Bowen, this time the Midland 125-pound star kept Salas down and pinned the Wapello wrestler in 5:01.
The win advanced Bowen to the 125-pound championship where he faced West Branch’s Brad Exline, who he he faced the week before at sectionals.
After a wild first period, Exline scored a takedown and Bowen a reversal to knot the score at 2-2 after two minutes.
The score remained tied after the second period as well as both wrestlers scored four points entering the third and final period. |
Adam Gudenkauf
Runner-up finish at 1A district meet earns 215-pound Midland senior second straight trip to state wrestling meet. |
Exline chose down and scored a reversal to take a 6-4 lead but Bowen added an escape late in the match and with Exline already having been warned for stalling, held on for the 125-pound title in a wild 6-5 decision.
When Salas won his consolation match, Bowen had his ticket to Des Moines and the 2007 state wrestling tournament in hand not needing a wrestle-back.
Gudenkauf also posted a big semi-final triumph at 215-pounds securing an 8-2 decision over New London’s Alex Rowe.
Rowe led 2-0 after the first period but a two-point nearfall by Gudenkauf knotted the score after two periods.
In the third period the Midland star shined bright scoring an escape as well as a takedown and 3-point nearfall to claim the triumph and advanced to the 215-pound title tilt.
Against a familiar foe in Tipton’s No. 7 ranked Matt O’Donnell in the championship, Gudenkauf suffered a 10-3 setback.
Gudenkauf scored an escape in the first period and trailed just 2-1 after two minutes of action and then added a reversal in the second and again just trailed by a point, 4-3 entering the final period.
It was there where O’Donnell took control scoring six points in the final frame to post the seven-point victory.
After Rowe won his consolation bout, Gudenkauf, like Bowen had secured the runner-up spot and automatic berth at the state tournament.
Zach Krotz was looking for his first trip to state after qualifying for districts but was handed a pair of defeats on the day and finished fourth at 160-pounds.
Krotz opened against New London’s Josh Allen and was handed a 23-8 technical-fall setback.
In the 160-pound consolation, Krotz came up on the short end of a 13-0 score against Northeast’s John Kennedy.
Overall the Eagles scored 26 points at the district meet placing them 10th in the 14-team tournament.
New London claimed the district team title scoring 84 points.
Bowen (29-14) will open his 2007 state experience Wednesday, February 21, against Lawton-Bronson’s Josh Benson (39-5). A Bowen victory would advance the Midland wrestler to face either Missouri Valley’s No. 1 ranked Dalton Jensen (45-1) or Don Bosco’s No. 3 ranked Cody Delagardelle (35-6), in the quarter-finals.
Nine of the state’s top-10 ranked 125-pound wrestlers advanced to state.
Gudenkauf (35-7), ranked 10th in the state, will face Ogden’s No. 6 ranked Jadd Dithmart (39-1) in a 215-pound opener.
A Gudenkauf win would see him face either Nashua-Plainfield’s Zach Rosol (37-3) or Postville’s Mark Donlan (7-2).
Nine of the state’s top-10 ranked 215-pounders also earned trips to state. |
Young banks first Anamosa trip to Wells Fargo
By
Daryl Schepanski - Sports Editor |
SOLON— A little Anamosa High School wrestling history was made Saturday, February 17, at the class 2A district meet in Solon and it was Raider senior Robert Young doing all the writing.
Young became the first Anamosa wrestler to earn a trip to the state wrestling tournament’s new site at Wells Fargo Arena after a sensational runner-up showing at 152-pounds at a pressure-filled and talent-laden district tournament.
Drew Fayram was the final Raider to perform at Veteran’s Memorial Auditorium two years ago and when the state made the move to the brand new Wells Fargo Arena last winter, no Anamosa wrestler made the trip.
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Determined to win
Raider senior Jordan Alderdyce puts the finishing touches on his 189-pound district consolation pin win Saturday, February 17, at Solon. (Journal-Eureka photo by Daryl Schepanski) |
That all changed Saturday as Young posted a 1-1 record on the day and will take his talents to Des Moines and to the Wells Fargo mats Wednesday, February 21, taking part in the class 2A action 1:00-4:30 p.m.
“We’re all very proud of Robert,” said Anamosa wrestling coach Ron Timp who will make his coaching debut in the new arena as well. “It’s quite an accomplishment to make it to state. Getting there is no easy task. You have to be one of the best and Robert did what he had to do to earn his trip to Des Moines. It should be an interesting few days to say the least.”
Young helped punch his ticket to the state tournament by posting a huge 152-pound semi-final pin victory over Wilton’s Pat Saylor.
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District domination
Anamosa senior Robert Young keeps a close eye on Wilton’s Pat Saylor during their 152-pound semi-final match at districts in Solon. Young posted a 4:24 pin win and secured a state berth with a runner-up finish. (Journal-Eureka photo by Daryl Schepanski) |
“Robert got into some trouble right away in that first match but managed to stay out of serious trouble,” said Timp as Saylor scored three quick takedowns and led 6-2 as Young tallied two escapes in the opening period. “He kept rolling out of trouble and rolled his way right into a pin early in the third period.”
Young scored a takedown in the second period and was trailing Saylor 6-3 before posting the big pin triumph at the 4:24 mark.
“At districts you have to win that first one of you want to have a shot and Robert did it,” said Timp. “Getting that first one sets you up and keeps things in your control. If you lose that first match, things are out of your control and that makes coming back very tough.”
In the 152-pound title match against Solon’s No. 9 ranked Clint Grantham, Young battled and battled but was edged in a 12-5 final.
Most of the scoring in the championship match came in the opening period as Grantham tallied an escape, two takedowns and a three-point nearfall while Young answered with a takedown of his own and two escapes.
“I thought he battled the Solon kid a lot tougher than he did the week before,” said Timp. “It was a great effort. He wrestled a very smart match.”
After Saylor won the 152-pound consolation bout, Young had his ticket to Des Moines signed, sealed the delivered not needing a wrestle-back to earn the trip.
“That’s where winning that first match plays such a big factor,” said Timp. “Robert did it right and is going to Des Moines as the first Raider to wrestle at the new arena. I’m looking forward to seeing it and being down on the mat. I’ve heard it’s a lot different than the old Vet’s building, but it should be fun.” |
Making a healthy run at Monticello
By
Daryl Schepanski - Sports Editor |
MONTICELLO— Battling illnesses to players over the last several weeks, the Anamosa boys basketball team, with a full roster of healthy players, traveled to Monticello Friday, February 16, and gave a talented Panther team a run for their money before succumbing to a 58-45 defeat.
“This was a story of two halves,” said Raider boys basketball coach Kevin Barnes as his team led 15-7 at the first quarter horn and 25-17 at the halftime break. “We were sensational in the first half. We accomplished everything we were trying to accomplish and did a great job on the boards. I’m not sure we could have played much better than we did.”
Colten Kelly sparked the Anamosa (8-10, 8-8) offense scoring from all over the Panther court over the first 16 minutes of play.
“Colten got us off to an unbelievable start on the offensive end,” said Barnes as his star junior scored 13 first half points drilling jumpers, 3-pointers and driving to the rim for lay-ups against a Monticello defense that could do nothing to slow him down.
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Raider rebound
Anamosa senior Adam Andreesen reaches for a rebound during the Raiders’ 58-45 setback in Monticello Friday, February 16. (Journal-Eureka photo by Daryl Schepanski) |
Dialing deep
Raider senior Mitch Kelly fires from beyond the arc in Monticello. (Journal-Eureka photo by Daryl Schepanski) |
“The second half, the entire pace of the game changed. It became so physical and we have struggled with that all season.”
Monticello began banging and the physical nature of the game played right into the Panthers’ hands as they went on a huge third quarter spurt to take their first lead of the entire contest with a minute left, 36-35.
“Then in the fourth quarter when we lost the lead, we had five consecutive turnovers and the game was over,” said Barnes. “You just can’t turn the basketball over that many times and especially at crunch time and expect to win.”
Trailing 36-35 with 6:50 remaining in the fourth quarter, Monticello’s Danny Freese hit two free throws and Todd Tuetken also added a basket as the hosts built their lead to 40-35.
Kelly answered with a hoop, was fouled and connected on the free throw to trim the Panther lead to 40-38.
At the 4:41 mark, Kelly again stepped to the free throw line and hit another charity stripe shot.
With the Raiders within a point at 40-39, Monticello went on a game-changing 9-0 run to take complete control as Anamosa turned the basketball over time and again.
Tuetken, Freese and Matt Lee all hit huge baskets for the hosts as they built their lead to 49-39 with 1:10 remaining. |
Adam Andreesen finally ended the Panther rally scoring a basket with 57.8 seconds to play, but the damage had already been done.
“I will say this for our kids, we battled tonight,” said Barnes. “I am really proud of them. We did not shoot the ball well and we turned it over in the fourth quarter, but we fought for 32 minutes and I’m really proud of our kids for that.”
Lee and Freese added points for the Panthers in the game’s final minute securing the 13-point Tri-Rivers Conference triumph, the final contest the Anamosa boys will ever play in the league.
Kelly led Anamosa scorers with 17 points overall while also adding six rebounds and three assists. Andreesen also played well scoring 16 points while also grabbing 12 rebounds.
Overall the Raider boys struggled from the field hitting 39-percent (20-of-51) of their shots and 19-percent (3-of-19) from 3-point land.
Anamosa returned home and tasted some class 3A basketball action for the first time this season and against visiting Marion, gave the very talented Indian team a battle before being handed a 55-44 loss Saturday, February 17.
“We played with great effort again today,” said Barnes. “We were just beaten by a better team but we certainly made them earn it. We gave up some transition hoops in the second quarter and that ended up being the difference in the game.”
Marion, one of the WaMaC’s toughest teams, were given a battle from start-to-finish by the Raider boys who trailed just 11-10 after the first eight minutes of play.
A 16-6 spurt by the Indians in the second stanza proved to be pivotal in the contest as Marion’s Allen Reisner and Marty Tope were a two-player wrecking crew for the visitors.
“A very pivotal point in this game for us came in the third quarter,” said Barnes. “We were down by 12 points when Andrew (Peters) made a three and Tony (Lueken) and Mitch (Kelly) combined on a steal and Mitch scored the lay-up on the other end.”
After the play the Indians called time-out. Right after the break, Mitch Kelly stole another Marion pass and was breaking for another lay-up when an Indian player came from behind the swatted away the attempt.
On the next possession, Colten Kelly stole the ball and broke free for a lay-up and again an Indian player blocked the two-point Anamosa attempt before Colten could get to the rim.
“If we are able to score those two lay-ups, it gets very interesting,” said Barnes. “Instead, we blow a defensive assignment, they hit a three and then we have a turnover just before the quarter ends and they hit another three and their lead is back up to double-digits going into the fourth quarter.”
Anamosa trailed 37-22 entering that final frame but never quit on the contest scoring a whopping 22 fourth quarter points, equalling their total through the first three frames combined.
“We still made it interesting in the fourth quarter,” said Barnes. “We cut their lead to seven several times but just couldn’t get over the hump.”
With two minutes remaining the Anamosa boys trailed just 45-38 but key free throws by Reisner, Tope and Amry Shelby kept any Raider run at bay in the hosts’ 11-point defeat.
“I told our kids after the game they really showed me something today,” said Barnes. “To come back after the effort we gave the night before at Monticello and give equal effort against Marion shows me something from our kids. It shows me we are learning to fight.”
Andrew Peters and Colten Kelly paced the Raider offense scoring 13 points each while Lueken added nine more to go with a team-best six assists.
“Andrew snapped out of his slump today and was huge for us,” said Barnes. “We needed him to play well against Marion and he did but we also need him to play well down the road too.”
Peters drilled three 3-pointers, all coming in the second half, and also added four rebounds.
Anamosa struggled shooting from the floor connecting on 33-percent of their shots but five treys kept them within striking distance of the Indians. |
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