Sports

NORTH LIBERTY– For now, the Bolts are benched.
Tuesday, Dec. 1, would’ve been the season opener for the Liberty High varsity boys’ basketball team, with a visit from non-conference competitor Washington (Iowa).
However, the Iowa City Community School District extended its 100 percent off-site learning through Friday, Dec. 11, due to continued high COVID-19 positivity rates in Johnson County, and all extracurricular activities, including athletics, are on-hold for the duration.

SOLON– Head Coach Jared Galpin inherited an experienced boys basketball team.
The Spartans were scheduled to open the 2020-21 season against the Sabers of Central DeWitt Monday, Nov. 30, in DeWitt with a senior-heavy lineup.
“We return a lot of experience and scoring from last year’s team,” Galpin noted.
Solon returns its five top scorers from last year– seniors David Bluder, Carson Shive, Ben Cusick, Bo Janssen and junior Jake Quillin– but will have to make up for the graduation of Cam Miller, who led the team in assists (62) and was second in rebounds (80) a season ago.

DES MOINES– The Iowa Print Sports Writers Association (IPSWA) announced its selections for postseason Class 2A football honors on Tuesday, Nov. 24. Among those honored were five members of Solon’s 2020 varsity football team.
Solon senior Carson Shive was named the IPSWA Class 2A First Team defense for his success as an inside linebacker. He recorded 78 tackles, a team high, including 58 solo, 12 for loss and four sacks. He also recovered four fumbles.

TIFFIN– Due to the Clear Creek Amana (CCA) Community School District returning to all-online learning, extracurricular activities, including athletic practices, are on hold until the students return to in-person/onsite learning on Monday, Nov. 30. However, the Clipper wrestlers aren’t just sitting around biding their time.
“The kids are running, working out and practicing individually,” said Coach Kyle Forness.

IOWA CITY– Eight local high school student athletes were named to the Iowa Girls Coaches Association’s (IGCA) 2020 All-District, Senior All-Stars and Academic All-Stars teams.
Clear Creek Amana’s (CCA) Calia Clubb and Hailey Pollock were named to the Class 4A SE All-District Team. Clubb, a junior, also earned an Honorable Mention spot on the Class 4A All-State Team after leading the Clippers with 243 kills. Pollock, a senior, produced 221 kills this season.