Iowa

How will Iowa State women’s basketball replace Kenzie Hare with tough slate on the horizon

Published

6 months ago

December 14, 2024

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How will Iowa State women’s basketball replace Kenzie Hare with tough slate on the horizon

AMES – The Iowa State women’s basketball team entered the season with one starting spot up for grabs.

The Cyclones brought back starters Audi Crooks, Emily Ryan, Addy Brown and Arianna Jackson. The team thought it filled the fifth starting spot when Kenzie Hare emerged as a constant contributor.

But with Hare now out for the season with an injury, that starting spot is once again up for grabs. Finding her replacement is one of the top priorities for No. 17 Iowa State, which takes on Eastern Illinois on Sunday at 5 p.m., at Hilton Coliseum.

“We’ve got to figure that out,” said Iowa State coach Bill Fennelly. “And obviously we didn’t do a very good job of it the other night (against Iowa). So, we’ll continue to probably keep doing what we’ve been doing in the sense of giving everyone a lot of opportunities, mix and match and hopefully something good will come of it.”

Hare, a 5-foot-9 junior guard, transferred to Iowa State from Marquette and quickly produced for the Cyclones. The Illinois native averaged 8.3 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 10 games, including eight starts this season.

Hare had been dealing with a hip injury that occurred before she arrived in Ames. The Iowa State coaching staff tried treatment options but never could get her to 100%. So, the Cyclones decided to shut her down and medically redshirt her this season.

Hare’s absence created a giant void on the floor. The newcomer, an established star 3-point shooter, gave Iowa State experience, defense on the perimeter and grit throughout games, diving for loose balls and making small but important plays.

“It’s a huge loss for our team,” Fennelly said.

Replacing her will be difficult. But Iowa State does have options. Freshman Aili Tanke has started at times this season. So has sophomore Kelsey Joens, who filled in during the Iowa game. Then there’s juniors Sydney Harris and Lily Hansford. The problem, Fennelly said, is that no one has stepped up and taken the job.

Tanke provided some valuable minutes in the Iowa game. Joens has shined at times off the bench. Harris has as well. Hansford, another strong shooter who transferred from Oregon State, has struggled to find her rhythm but is still in the mix after knocking down a big 3 against the Hawkeyes.

But no one has continually given Fennelly what he’s looking for: some points, some defense on the perimeter and some hard work. The bar isn’t high with Crooks, Brown and Ryan expected to handle the bulk of the scoring. Still, Tanke, Joens, Harris or Hansford has yet to win the job.

“They’re all in the mix and we just, up to this point, the only consistency has been inconsistency,” Fennelly said.

The coach said Friday and Saturday’s practices would decide who starts Sunday’s game. But that person may not be the permanent answer.

“I’m going to actually meet with all of them and just say, ‘Hey, here’s where we are and it’s going to be, whoever practices best the next two days will go out there first and whoever plays the best in the game on Sunday, stays in the game,’” Fennelly said.

There are other routes for the Cyclones to go as well. Fennelly said he’s thought about playing two post players at once, putting Crooks and Alisa Williams on the floor at the same time. He’s even thought about moving the versatile Brown to the three spot or into the post. Everything is on the table right now.

“I’m not afraid to try other things,” Fennelly said.

Time is ticking for Iowa State to figure it out. Things get very difficult for the Cyclones after Sunday’s game. Iowa State plays No. 2 UConn in the Invesco QQQ Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase next week. After that, the Cyclones embark on Big 12 Conference play. Iowa State was picked to finish second in the league this season.

If the Cyclones are going to have any success this season, replacing Hare is something they have to find an answer for. Fast.

“This is the situation we are in and it’s pretty evident, especially in the two road games that we lost,” Fennelly said. “So, we’ve got to figure that out.”

Tommy Birch, the Register’s sports enterprise and features reporter, has been working at the newspaper since 2008. He’s the 2018, 2020 and 2023 Iowa Sportswriter of the Year. Reach him at tbirch@dmreg.com or 515-284-8468

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Iowa loses seat on panel directing 2028 Democratic nominating calendar

Published

5 hours ago

June 6, 2025

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Iowa loses seat on panel directing 2028 Democratic nominating calendar | The Gazette

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Valley boys hang on for win over Ankeny in Iowa high school soccer state semifinals

Published

22 hours ago

June 6, 2025

Press Room

Valley boys hang on for win over Ankeny in Iowa high school soccer state semifinals

Sixty-six seconds.

That’s how long it took for Valley to score against Ankeny in the Class 4A semifinal of the Iowa high school boys state soccer tournament on June 5.

The goal came off the foot of Eric Foust, who cut around his defender and sent a cross-box shot past the goaltender and into the left side of the net. Less than two minutes into the game, the Tigers were up 1-0.

And that one-goal lead stood until the final buzzer, marking the seventh-straight shutout for Valley’s defense and the fourth-straight for Tigers goaltender Alexander Poitan.

Top-seeded Valley defeated Ankeny, and the Tigers advanced to the June 6 state title game, where they will face reigning back-to-back champion Johnston.

“We needed that goal right away,” said head coach Aziz Haffar postgame. “And I’m so proud of Alex, and every defender that came in. We found a way to get it done. It’s amazing.”

The action leveled out after Foust’s opening goal, but Valley remained on the offensive for most of the first half. The Tigers’ best shot at another goal came on back-to-back corners late in the first half.

With just over 12 minutes before halftime, Pablo Mendez took a corner kick for the Tigers. One teammate headed the ball, then Britton Morrow directed another header toward the net. Ankeny goalie Jackson Dockendorff tapped the ball over the net to relieve the pressure.

Mendez lined up for the corner kick, again, and Dockendorff left the goal open during the resulting scrum. Colton Horn let off a shot for Valley, but Hawks’ defender Henry McMillan was in the right place at the right time and blocked the attempt.

The deflection went out of bounds, and Valley was awarded another corner. Valley missed a header attempt – with the ball soaring over and past the player’s head – and Ankeny managed to clear the ball.

After the three consecutive corners, the excitement died down.

Both teams kept each other on their toes, but Valley held onto its 1-0 lead at halftime.

That single goal proved enough to win the game, although both teams had plenty of opportunities. But there was a moment in the second half that impacted the game.

Less than five minutes into the second half, Alex Mirsky went to collect the ball at the same time that an Ankeny defender went for a tackle. The Hawks’ player took down Mirsky on the play, and the Valley senior needed to be stretchered off the field.

Haffar believes Mirsky broke his leg, he told the Des Moines Register postgame.

“Obviously, that’s emotion to go through, to be honest with you,” Haffar said. “It was very emotional. I met with the guys and I said, ‘Listen, we’re not going to retaliate, we’re going to play soccer, and we’ve got to play the game like it should be. So, I was very proud of them.”

There was no retaliation, but there was tension building between the two Central Iowa Metropolitan League (CIML) opponents.

Two players – Austin Lundberg from Ankeny and Cristian Catalan from Valley – received red cards for separate calls in the final minute and seven seconds of the match.

Under Iowa high school rules, a player who receives a red card must sit out the next game, so the Tigers will be without Catalan – who started 19-of-21 games this season, according to GoBound – for the state title game.

“We were not going to practice tomorrow, but we’re going to go through some stuff that we need to do,” Haffar said. “I’m very proud of these guys. I know somebody will step up to the plate and play the game the way they know how to do it.”

Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.

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Pride events span across Iowa for 2025. Find ways to celebrate LGBTQ+ Iowans near you.

Published

2 days ago

June 5, 2025

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Pride events span across Iowa for 2025. Find ways to celebrate LGBTQ+ Iowans near you.

Who’s ready to celebrate? June marks Pride Month and LGBTQ+ Iowans across the state will be celebrating their community’s history and culture with plenty of parades and events throughout the month.

Here’s where to find LGBTQ+ community events across Iowa in June.

(Events are organized in chronological order)

SUX Pride

Sioux City is celebrating Pride the first weekend of June, with a diversity march, main stage acts, vendor booths, food trucks, story times and more. Saturday night, all events are 21+.

When: 7 p.m. on June 5, 5 p.m. on June 6 and 11 a.m. on June 7

Where: Virginia and Fourth Street, Sioux City on June 5 and 6, Sioux City Convention Center on June 7

Quad Cities Pride Festival

The Quad Cities are bringing a weekend packed with entertainment. From a Pride Choir and dance party, to DJs and drag queens, or vendors and activities, they’ll have it all. Passes start at $10 for daily admission.

When: 4 p.m. on June 6, 12 p.m. on June 7

Where: Schwiebert Riverfront Park, Rock Island, Illinois

Capital City PrideFest

Capital City Pride is celebrating it 46th PrideFest in Des Moines. The three-day event is hosted in the heart of the Historic East Village and will feature local drag queens, DJ performances, full festival activities like games and vendors and much more.

When: 5 p.m. on June 6, 9 a.m. on June 7, 10 a.m. on June 8

Where: East Village of Des Moines

Dubuque Pride Festival

Dubuque is celebrating the LGBTQ+ community with performances, local vendors, food trucks and plenty of family-friendly fun at their festival. The event is free, and welcomes all ages.

When: 12-5 p.m. on June 7

Where: Town Clock Plaza, downtown Dubuque

Annual Ottumwa Pride Block Party

Celebrating its fifth year, the Ottomwa Pride Block Party is switching things up for an afternoon of fun in the sun. Soak in the pool and positive energy and celebrate love and inclusivity.

When: 4-10 p.m. on June 7
Where: The Beach Ottumwa

Bi-State Unity Pride Parade

The annual Quad City Unity Pride Parade is back. The parade links Iowa and Illinois by crossing the Mississippi River using the Centennial Bridge.

When: 11 a.m., June 14
Where: Starts at Chill Ice Cream & Eats (421 River Drive, Davenport)

Let Love Fly

Kites will soar over North Liberty in honor of Pride. There will also be activities and giveaways from community groups. All ages are welcome.

When: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. on June 14
Where: Centennial Park, North Liberty

Des Moines People’s Pride

A community-based and centered event, Des Moines People’s Pride is back for its third year and will consist of local vendors, artists and performers. “The purpose of DSM People’s Pride is to be a safe, inclusive event for all people in our community, which means maintaining a cop-free space and requiring masking,” according to its website.

When: Noon – 4 p.m., June 14
Where: Water Works Park (2201 George Flagg Parkway, Des Moines)

Burlington Pride in the Park

With more than 60 vendors, Burlington Pride in the Park is back and bigger than ever. There’s entertainment scheduled, a parade and pet parade and of course plenty of drag shows.

When: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on June 21
Where: Crapo Park

Iowa City Pride and Parade

Iowa City’s Annual Pride Festival is back to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. Join for vendors, activities, drag shows, a parade and more.

When: Noon-10 p.m. on June 21
Where: Downtown Iowa City

Oskaloosa Pride in the Alley

Oskaloosa is hosting Pride in the Alley. Join for a photo booth, puppets, vendors and more.

When: 1-6 p.m. on June 21
Where: 109 South Market Street, Oskaloosa

Ankeny Pride

Ankeny is celebrating its fourth annual pride at the end of the month with a talent show, rainbow run, pet parade and plenty of vendors. Find out more at ankenypride.org.

When: 4-9 p.m., June 21
Where: Southview Middle School (1020 Southwest Cherry Street, Ankeny)

Burlington Pride on the Riverfront

Burlington is also hosting a day full of community and support at the end of June. There will be mindfulness yoga, a parade, main stage entertainment and more.

When: 8 a.m. on June 28, 9 a.m. on June 29
Where: Burlington’s Great River Bridge riverfront

Valley Junction Pride

Valley Junction is hosting its second-ever Pride celebration this year, which will include a pet parade by Bone-A-Patreat, drag story time, a maker’s market, entertainment and plenty more.

When: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., June 29
Where: 137 Fifth Street, West Des Moines

Know of an event we missed? Email iowaconnect@gannett.com for consideration.

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.

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