The West Fork girls and boys basketball teams will play the first of back to back Top of Iowa Conference East matchups as they host Osage for a doubleheader on Monday. The Warhawks will have a quick turnaround as they play at North Butler on Tuesday.
The West Fork girls (6-2, 2-1 TIC-East) opened the new year with a 59-43 non-conference win at Iowa Falls-Alden on Friday. The Warhawks defense has helped the team get out on the right foot with 15.8 steals per game and allowing an average of 39.5 points or less to opponents. Nehir Kanat had 18 points, Brylie Hubka added 13 points and eight boards in their win over the Cadets.
West Fork Head Coach Rodney Huber on using experience to advantage and continuing to bring A game.
“They are a pretty young team. Especially teams that aren’t very experienced, they have a tough time going against some of the stuff that we show them, especially when they haven’t played against it in the past. I think that can give them some problems,” says Huber. “They play a lot of zone, they can get hot at times and they have a pretty decent post player down low. We have to bring our A game for sure. All the conference games are a little bit different level because the coaches are a little bit more familiar with each other and things like. You can’t overlook anybody. We have just got to keep playing at a high level high of effort and all that type of stuff.”
The Osage girls (3-4, 1-3 TIC-East) in their last time out rallied for a 35-33 non-conference win over Wapsie Valley on Saturday, December 21. The Green Devils have struggled with turnovers averaging 21.7 per game. Addison Marcks leads with 15 points and 10 rebounds per game.
The West Fork boys (3-3, 2-1 TIC-East) lost a competitive new year opener at Iowa Falls-Alden 59-52 on Friday. The Warhawks are a dangerous three point shooting team at 37.3 percent. Ashyr Wiseman is the top scorer with 19 points per game. Xavier Baptiste is the leading rebounder with nine per game.
Warhawk Head Coach Abe Maske on playing a back to back and further developing depth.
“Knowing that the bulk of our games are in the second half of the season, we know we’re going to have a lot of back-to-back games. I think our depth and our conditioning that we go through in practice has really play a positive role for us. I think we’re primed and ready,” says Maske. “That’s what we’re really trying to work on, is really building that deep bench, getting the kids to see the importance of their role and to step up when needed.”
The Osage boys (6-1, 3-1 TIC-East) have won six straight games and to close 2024 held on for a 55-54 non-conference win over Alburnett on Saturday, December 21. The Green Devils have contained opponents to an average of 45.4 points per game. Madden Uhlenhopp has 18 points and Quinn Street adds 17 per game.
Action begins at 6:15 p.m. in Sheffield.
