Wednesday March 23rd Local Sports

AMES — It is a much different Iowa State men’s basketball team that will play Miami Friday night in Chicago in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Cyclone coach T.J. Otzelberger was an assistant coach on the last ISU team that made it to a regional semifinal in 2016 before falling to Virginia.

It is that defensive identity that helped the Cyclones turn things around after a 2-22 season a year ago.

Otzelberger says the players have bought into the defense first mentality.

Otzelberger says all of the players they brought in accepted their style of play.

Tipoff on Friday is scheduled for 8:45 PM

 

 

 

AMES — Iowa State women’s basketball coach Bill Fennelly says it was after a late November tournament in Florida that he thought the Cyclones could make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Iowa State is 28-6 and plays Creighton on Friday in the Sweet 16 in Greensboro, North Carolina.

Fennelly says it was the trip to Florida when the Cyclones developed chemistry.

Fennelly says the exposure Iowa State University will receive this week will be immense with both the men’s and women’s teams making it to the Sweet 16.

Fennelly says the exposure will be great for senior forward Ashley Joens, who is averaging better than 20 points per game and nearly 10 rebounds.

Tipoff on Friday is scheduled for 8:30

 

 

 

MASON CITY — The rosters have been set for Sunday’s North Iowa Area Community College girls and boys high school basketball all-star games. The girls game will start at 1:00 PM with the boys game to follow. The annual all-star game is a fundraiser for the NIACC men’s and women’s basketball teams. Admission is $5 for adults and kids under the age of six are admitted free.

 

GIRLS GAME

Blue team: Lauren Meader (Hampton-Dumont), Shae Dillavou (Forest City), Liz Richardson (Garner-Hayfield/Ventura), Emma Weiner (Newman Catholic), Emma Davidson (Northwood-Kensett), Chloe Rooney (Rockford), Emily Theiss (Clear Lake), Haley Freesemann (North Butler), Jada Williams (Mason City). Coach – Bob Fisher (KGLO).

Gold team: Jaden Ainley (Clear Lake), Chloe Frank (Garner-Hayfield/Ventura), Ellyse Ball (Newman Catholic), Carly Hengesteg (Northwood-Kensett), Adri Kruse (St. Ansgar), Emma Muller (Rockford), Regan Helgeson (Forest City), Kaylea Fessler (Central Springs), Madi Elwood (Newman Catholic). Coach – Amy Fleming (KIMT).

 

BOYS GAME

Gold team: James Jennings (Newman Catholic), Tim Castle (Newman Catholic), Bennett Suntken (Newman Catholic), Sam Wood (Garner-Hayfield/Ventura), Ty Peterson (West Fork), Bennett Berger (Lake Mills), Carson Toebe (Clear Lake), Jason Hanson (Northwood-Kensett), Elijah Brinkley (Newman Catholic), Andrew Snyder (Forest City), Nathan Roberts (Garner-Hayfield/Ventura), Carter Bruckhoff (Forest City), Truman Knudtson (Forest City), Wyatt Helming (Lake Mills). Coach – Tim Fleming (KGLO).

Blue team: Jose Hernandez (Charles City), Corey Miner (Mason City), Tyler Oberfoell (Osage), Mario Hoefer (Charles City), Drew Kelley (Central Springs), Avery Boos (North Butler), Kolton Lyman (Rockford), Nathan Havel (Osage), Reed Stonebreaker (West Fork), Mike Willis (Mason City), Bryce Larson (Rockford), Angel Jose (Central Springs), Nathan Hawker (North Butler). Coach – Joel McCall (KLMJ).

 

 

 

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings and free agent outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith have agreed to contract terms. Smith gets a three-year deal worth $42 million with incentives that can push the value to $47 million. He gives the Vikings a pass-rushing boost after being released by the rival Packers last week. Smith was a Pro Bowl pick in 2019 and 2020 with a combined 26 sacks in 32 games. He played in only one game last season because of a back injury.

 

 

 

AMES — 31 NFL teams were represented at Iowa State’s Pro Day Tuesday and it was another chance for Breece Hall to impress. After running a sub four-four in the 40 at the scouting combine Hall showed off his ability to catch passes.

Quarterback Brock Purdy felt he had a solid day throwing the ball.

Linebacker Mike Rose felt it was important to show his quickness. After struggling with a shoulder injury last season Rose feels healthy as he gets ready for the draft.

The NFL Draft is April 28th through the 30th.