The West Fork girls and boys basketball team will play their only home games this week as they take on Northwood-Kensett in a Top of Iowa Conference East doubleheader on Tuesday.
The West Fork girls (3-1) enters off back-to-back wins over Garner Hayfield Ventura and St. Edmond last week. The Warhawks have challenged opponents with 15 steals per game. Leah Weaver is the team’s top scorer and rebounder with 19 points per game and five rebounds per game. Nehir (ne-hear) Kanat (ka-not) provides a three point threat shooting at 31.2% from beyond the arc.
Head Coach Rodney Huber on utilizing experience against a young Vikings team.
“I like our chances in the game, I think our pressure and the ability for us to get out and run, can wear them down and will be the difference in the game,” says Huber. “They’re a pretty inexperienced team. They had a big senior class that graduated last year, so they’re still trying to figure things out. We have some good experience on our team. I think that will kind of be the difference is experience versus non experience.”
The Northwood-Kensett girls (0-3) lost 59-21 to Nashua-Plainfield in conference play on Friday. The Vikings have struggled with turnovers averaging 27 per game. Hallie Hanson leads averaging nine points and seven rebounds per game.
The West Fork boys (1-0) won Head Coach Abe Maske’s debut and season opener 52-39 over Garner Hayfield Ventura on Thursday. The Warhawks, in win, were balanced offensively with 15 assists. Ashyr Wiseman led with 16 points and Zander Hansen added 11, shooting at a 50% clip in the win over Cardinals.
Maske on the developing identity of the team in early games.
“They don’t quit, they keep going and they’re willing to fight through adversity. They’re willing to continue to put the effort, the blood, sweat and tears so to speak into it to get there,” says Maske. “They need to learn to relax to start a game. Our identity eventually is going to be a very strong, tough defensive presence on the floor that’s going to make it very tough for our opponents.”
The Northwood-Kensett boys (2-0) won 64-58 over Nashua-Plainfield in conference play on Friday. The Vikings’ difference maker has been winning the boards with 10.5 offensive rebounds per game. Colby Eskildsen is the leading scorer with 20.5 points per game on 46.4% shooting from the field.
Action will begin at 6:15 p.m. in Sheffield.
