Some good things to remember about 2020

The Clear Creek Amana varsity boys’ basketball team holds up its WaMaC West Class 3A state tournament third-place trophy March 13, 2020, at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. It was the program’s first state tournament appearance since 1993. (photo by John Navara)

JOHNSON COUNTY– 2020 will of course be remembered as a year where many activities were cancelled due to the pandemic, including the entire high school spring sports season. However, winter sports wrapped up just in time, and a successful summer season led to the approval of fall sports.
For Clear Creek Amana (CCA) the 2019-2020 season brought two firsts: the first-ever girls state basketball tournament appearance, and the first boys state basketball tournament since 1993. The Creek Girls fell 63-43 to first-ranked North Scott in the quarterfinal round while the boys knocked off WaMaC East rival Mount Vernon 59-45 in their Class 3A quarterfinal game, but fell in the semifinals 55-46 to Sergeant Bluff-Luton. The Clippers bombed the Bombers of Ballard 76-73 in overtime in the consolation bracket for third place.
Liberty High’s varsity volleyball team also posted a first in its still-young school’s history as they followed up from their first state volleyball tournament appearance in 2019 with their first Class 5A finals match appearance. The Lightning zapped West Des Moines Valley 3-1 in the quarterfinals and upset top-seeded West Des Moines Dowling Catholic 3-2 in the Bolts’ first five-set match of the season. Unfortunately, Ankeny foiled their championship hopes with a 3-1 loss.
Here’s to a happy, safe, and successful 2021 for CCA and Liberty’s student athletes from the staff of the North Liberty Leader.