The West Fork girls and boys basketball teams will look to end Newman Catholic’s undefeated season when the programs face off in a Top of Iowa Conference East doubleheader on Friday in Mason City and will air on 104.9 KLMJ.
The West Fork girls (4-1, 1-0 TIC-East) ran past Northwood-Kensett 65-10 in conference opening win on Tuesday. The Warhawks ability to bring pressure remains potent after forcing 39 Viking turnovers in the win. Leah Weaver is averaging 19 points and five rebounds per game and Nehir Kanat adds 8.8 points per game to lead the Warhawks.
Head Coach Rodney Huber on the Knights guard play and making the most of Warhawks size and depth.
“Newman’s got some good guard play. Teams that have multiple ball handlers can handle our pressure a little bit better than others that maybe rely on one point guard,” says Huber. “We’re going to probably do what we do, but I think they don’t have a lot of size, so we’re going to try to emphasize getting the ball to the hoop a little bit more regularly, not relying on the outside shot as much. Again, hopefully depth will prevail and we’ll be able to tire them out when going away. That’s kind of the goal there.”
The Newman Catholic girls (4-0, 3-0 TIC-East) won 51-42 at Nashua-Plainfield on Tuesday. The Knights also like to bring on-ball pressure averaging 20.8 steals per game. Sami Kruckenberg leads with 22.8 points per game at 38.4% from the field.
The West Fork boys (1-1, 0-1 TIC East) lost to Northwood-Kensett 66-55 in their conference opener on Tuesday. The Warhawks have got after offensive boards with 9.5 per game. Ashyr Wiseman is averaging 19 points per game and Xavier Baptiste has knocked down the three ball at 44.4% and is the team’s top rebounder at 11.5 per game.
Head Coach Abe Maske on the seniors’ understanding of the game and the mentorship they provide for the team.
“Leaders aren’t always seniors, but this particular senior group has really stepped up. They understand what it takes, the work that it takes, the effort, and what is needed,” says Maske. “This particular senior group has really stepped up because they know that a lot of players that are coming off the bench to assist and help in these games are underclassman. Being leaders, being vocal, pushing, supporting, and then really stressing the fact that you may have missed a shot now, you can’t focus on it. You got to go to the next play, and then the next play, and the next play. Leaders have done a good job of really helping that.”
The Newman Catholic boys (4-0, 3-0 TIC-East) won 74-56 at Nashua-Plainfield on Tuesday. The Knights keep the ball moving with 18 assists per game. Westley Cole leads the Knights with 20.8 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.
Coverage on 104.9 KLMJ will begin at 6:05 p.m. followed by the opening tip at 6:15 p.m. in Mason City.
