CEDAR RAPIDS — It may light-heartedly be called the Ames Invitational, but Cedar Rapids Washington is ecstatic to be attending.
“We’ve been overlooked most of the season,” Warriors guard Wes Washpun said after his team’s 54-47 Class 4A substate final basketball win last night at the U.S. Cellular Center over Iowa City High. “So we’re just going try and make some noise there.”
Washington (14-8) won its eighth game in a row to qualify for next week’s state tournament in Des Moines. You’d have to ponder awhile to come up with a …

Cedar Rapids Washington (13-8) vs. Iowa City High (10-12) at U.S. Cellular Center, 6:30 p.m.: These teams played in Rivalry Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Center on Jan. 30, with City High winning, 77-63. Their seasons took opposite turns after that. Washington hasn’t lost since, winning seven straight, including a 43-41 substate semifinal victory last Friday night against Cedar Rapids Kennedy. Josh Oglesby hit a long 3-pointer to win the game, and he leads the Warriors in scoring at 16.1 ppg. Point guard Wes Washpun is second at 15.0 … …

CEDAR RAPIDS — Cory Connell has helped elevate the Eddyville-Blakesburg wrestling program to new heights.
In just his fourth year as their head coach, Connell led the Rockets to a runner-up finish at last weekend’s Class 1A traditional state meet in Des Moines. The season was capped with the school’s first ever appearance in the Iowa High School Athletic Association State Duals tournament Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Center.
“It’s a big step for the program to make it here,” Connell said. “But, we expected it.”
The Rockets entered the 1A field as …

CLASS 4A REGION 3
#5 CEDAR RAPIDS KENNEDY (19-2) vs. #9 CEDAR RAPIDS WASHINGTON (14-8)
Site: Cedar Rapids Prairie H.S.
Time: 7 p.m.
Notable: Kennedy pursues its third straight win over the Warriors this season. The Cougars claimed regular-season victories of 77-56 and 64-50. University of Iowa recruit Jade Rogers leads the senior-laden Cougars at 18.8 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. Tia Dawson averages 15.8 points and 12.1 boards per game for Washington, which rallied from an early 10-point deficit to oust Cedar Rapids Xavier, 54-47, in the regional semifinals Saturday. Washington outscored the …

Cedar Rapids Kennedy ended an 11-game losing streak to Cedar Rapids Washington this season, sweeping the Warriors in regular-season play.
But to accurately say they’re cured of the Warriors’ hex, the Cougars must win one more time.
Fifth-ranked Kennedy (19-2) faces No. 9 Cedar Rapids Washington (15-8) in a Class 4A regional final girls’ basketball showdown Tuesday.
Tipoff is 7 p.m. at Cedar Rapids Prairie.
“I hope we can jump out, get a lead early and play loose,” said Kennedy Coach Dennis Roloff.
The Kennedy-Washington matchup is one of four involving area 4A teams.
Elsewhere:
* No. 1 …

MEN’S BASKETBALL
Josh Oglesby Junior CR Washington
Josh had a great week scoring 43 points in a pair of Warrior wins including seven three-pointers as part of a 25-point effort in the win over Jefferson. The junior perimeter player is now tied for 3rd in the MVC in scoring at 16.7 ppg. He also averages 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
Tia Dawson Junior CR Washington
This 6′2″ junior dropped in 20 points to pace the Warriors to their 4th straight win in a 69-47 conquest of Jefferson. Tia is 7th in …

The debate came to a conclusion Wednesday, for now at least. A.J. Derby will play quarterback at Iowa.
This is from Iowa Coach Kirk Ferentz. Ferentz also called Derby, a 6-foot-4, 220-pounder a “Tim Tebow” type of athlete. He also said if Iowa changes its style of offense to accommodate Derby’s skills, so be it.
“That’s our intent is for him to play quarterback,” Ferentz said at his signing day news conference. “We’re eager to see how he can progress and improve.
“And if things change in our style a little bit, that’s …

CEDAR RAPIDS — Iowa City High lit up a dark old gym Tuesday night.
The Little Hawks shot 56 percent from the field, including 70 percent in the second half, and punished Class 4A No. 9 Cedar Rapids Jefferson, 76-54, in a Mississippi Valley Conference girls’ basketball game at Jefferson High School.
“We just relaxed and hit some shots,” said City High Coach Bill McTaggart.
The game was originally scheduled for Jan. 5, but was moved back because of the Orange Bowl. The main gymnasium was booked by a wrestling meet, so the …

Tell me where I’m right and wrong.
OVERALL                      Team W-L Pvs
—- 1. Linn-Mar 14-1 1
—- 2. C.R. Jefferson 13-1 2
—- 3. C.R. Kennedy 9-5 4
—- 4. I.C. High 9-6 —
—- 5. C.R. Washington 6-8 3
—- 6. Marion 14-3 7
—- 7. Solon 15-2 5
—- 8. I.C. West 7-8 —
—- 9. North Cedar 16-1 —
—- 10. Cascade 15-2 10
Class 4A - 1. Linn-Mar (14-1), 2. Cedar Rapids Jefferson (13-1), 3. Cedar Rapids Kennedy (9-5), 4. Iowa City High (9-6), 5. Cedar Rapids Washington (6-8).
Class 3A — 1. Marion (14-3), 2. Washington (Iowa) (12-3), 3. …

John Chelf turned to his mom, who was standing nearby, after he was told how many trips to the charity stripe he had made.
“I had 17 free throws. Wow!” the Iowa City High guard told mom.
There were a lot of “wow” factors in the finale of Rivalry Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Center. Let’s start with City High’s 77-63 win over Cedar Rapids Washington.
These teams played Jan. 8 in Cedar Rapids, with the Warriors winning by 30 points. Talk about turning the tables.

“Our mindset that first game, we really weren’t …