Interim coach Madi Meier leads Kennedy into the girls’ basketball postseason fray

Madi Meier isn’t an overwhelmed, overmatched rookie coach.

She had served as a head JV and assistant varsity girls’ basketball coach in the winter, a club coach in the offseason.

This, though, is a different beast. Particularly this time of year.

“Now I understand why Andy (Courtney) stays up late at night,” Meier said.

Meier was thrust into the spotlight at Cedar Rapids Kennedy when Courtney was hospitalized; he underwent emergency cardiac surgery nearly two weeks ago. Meier continues as interim head coach as the Cougars (11-10) begin their postseason march Wednesday; they’ll host Urbandale (5-16) in a Class 5A regional quarterfinal.

Tipoff is 7 p.m. at Kennedy.

“Andy was good about giving me responsibility,” said Meier, a 2014 Kennedy graduate. “Putting together scouting reports, that was kind of my thing. The big difference for me is standing up on the sideline during games.”

One theme for Kennedy all season has been its penchant for playing close games. Eighteen of the Cougars’ 21 contests have been decided by 13 points or less.

“We are competing. We are battling,” Meier said. “The girls are playing for Courtney, and they are playing for each other.

“Our last five games were against state-tournament-level competition. We were right there for 3 1/2 quarters, but couldn’t finish. We were able to finish in our last game (against Marion).”

Kennedy boasts a Division-I prospect in junior Kaliyah Sain, who averages 19.6 points and 9.0 rebounds per game. Senior Tori Knight adds 10.6 points per contest.

The Cougars are favored to advance Wednesday, but, Meier said, “Urbandale’s record might not be the best. But they’re playing a lot of those top teams in the CIML, and they’re playing them twice.

“We’re hoping we can get out and pressure them, get out and run in transition.”

Iowa City Liberty (11-10) is hoping to regain its mojo after dropping its last four regular-season games. The Lightning have a challenge at home against surging Davenport North (11-10).

“We’re not shooting as well as we were earlier this season,” Lightning Coach Jaime Brandt said. “It’s part of the learning and growing process.

“I’ll say this — this season is the most fun I’ve had since I’ve been at Liberty. We’ve come a long ways, but we still have a long ways to go.”

Cedar Rapids Jefferson is the only other Metro/Iowa City 5A team in action; the J-Hawks (6-15) are at Cedar Falls (14-7). Marion (12-9) welcomes Mason City (8-13) in a 4A encounter.

Wednesday also features 3A regional semifinals. Among area ranked teams, No. 6 Center Point-Urbana (19-3) hosts West Delaware (10-12), No. 7 West Liberty (18-4) welcomes Davenport Assumption (13-9) and No. 13 Vinton-Shellsburg (14-8) hosts Dubuque Wahlert (9-13).

Wednesday’s Class 5A Regional Quarterfinals

(All games, 7 p.m.)

REGION 4

Davenport Central (11-10) at Bettendorf (14-7)

REGION 5

Urbandale (5-16) at Cedar Rapids Kennedy (11-10)

REGION 6

Dubuque Hempstead (8-13) at Dubuque Senior (11-10)

REGION 7

Davenport North (11-10) at Iowa City Liberty (11-10)

REGION 8

Cedar Rapids Jefferson (6-15) at Cedar Falls (14-7)

Wednesday’s Class 4A Regional Quarterfinals

(All games, 7 p.m.)

REGION 2

Mason City (8-13) at Marion (12-9)

Mount Pleasant (11-10) at Fort Madison (15-4)

REGION 3

Western Dubuque (2-19) at Maquoketa (9-12)

Clinton (1-21) at North Scott (12-8)

REGION 4

Waterloo East (3-18) at Pella (12-9)

Burlington (0-18) at Solon (13-7)

REGION 6

Carlisle (7-14) at Knoxville (10-11)

Charles City (0-19) at Decorah (14-6)

Wednesday’s Class 3A Regional Semifinals

(All games, 7 p.m.)

REGION 2

Hampton-Dumont/CAL (16-6) at Estherville ELC (21-2)

North Fayette Valley (16-6) at Clear Lake (17-4)

REGION 3

West Delaware (10-12) at Center Point-Urbana (19-3)

Dubuque Wahlert (9-13) at Vinton-Shellsburg (14-8)

REGION 4

Davenport Assumption (13-9) at West Liberty (18-4)

West Burlington (16-6) at Mid-Prairie (14-8)

REGION 5

Mount Vernon (12-10) at Roland-Story (17-5)

Williamsburg (13-9) at West Marshall (21-2)

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com