Grand Valley State University senior and former Ottawa High School basketball standout Isaac Gassman recently had his COVID-19-shortened season come to a close.
The Lakers finished the year 12-7 overall and 11-6 (third place) in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference standings. Gassman, who started all 19 games for GVSU and averaged 34.2 minutes a contest, posted 11.6 points and 4.5 rebounds an outing. The 6-foot-5 guard shot 46% overall from the field, hit 43 of 100 from 3-point range (ranking fourth in makes, sixth in percentage in the GLIAC) and scored in double figures 12 times, including a season-best 24 in a win over Northwood on Feb 26.
North Central College finished its shortened season 5-5 both overall and in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. Will Clausel (Sr., Newark) appeared in six games, including three starts, and averaged 27.2 minutes a contest. The 6-4 guard and former Norsemen star registered 8.7 points and 3.0 rebounds. Liam Roberts (Fr., Somonauk) played in one game for the Cardinals.
Southeastern University ended the season 12-17 overall and 6-14 in The Sun Conference. Dylan Patrick (So., Newark) played in 11 games with four starts, averaging 2.7 points and 1.4 rebounds for the Fire.
The University of Wisconsin-Parkside finished the year 9-10 overall and 9-9 in the GLIAC. Cameron Myre (RS-Jr., Newark) played in eight games, posting three points and four rebounds, while younger brother Brett Myre (So., Newark) appeared in three contests for the Rangers.
Women’s basketball
Governors State University concluded its season 8-13 overall and 6-4 in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference. Angelique Cowan (So., Ottawa) started 20 of the Jaguars’ 21 games, averaging 29.8 minutes an outing. The 5-7 point guard averaged 9.5 points and 4.1 rebounds, hit 40 of 117 (34%) from beyond the arc and was third on the squad with 42 assists.
Millikin University, which is 10-3 overall and finished the CCIW schedule at 8-3, plays Illinois Wesleyan University on Tuesday night in the CCIW Tournament championship game. The Big Blue have won five consecutive games. Sarah Ness (So., Sandwich) has played in six games, averaging 0.8 points and 1.2 rebounds. Ness had two points, two rebounds and an assist in Millikin’s opening-round 86-70 triumph over North Central College.
Marian University ended its season 2-10 both overall and in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference. Madison Holdiman (So., Serena) started all 12 games for the Sabres averaging 32.0 minutes a contest. The 5-4 guard and former Lady Huskers standout registered 3.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game.
Judson University finished its season 9-15 overall and 4-8 in the CCAC. Jocelyn Mitchell (Fr., Newark) appeared in 23 games for the Eagles, including five starts, and averaged 16.9 minutes an outing. The 5-9 guard posted 2.7 points and 2.3 rebounds a game.
Wrestling
Wheaton College finished the season 4-6 in CCIW duals. Ethan Harsted (Jr., Ottawa) ended the season with a 6-3 mark, including helping the Thunder place fourth of the nine teams at the league championships with a third-place finish at 141 pounds.
Football
St. Ambrose University recently topped the University of St. Francis, 14-6, and is 1-2 on the season. Quarterback John Benckendorf (Jr., Streator) threw for 98 yards in the victory, including what proved to be a game-winning, 33-yard touchdown pass with nine minutes to play. On the season, the former Bulldogs signal-caller has thrown for 219 yards and has run for another 113.