The North Butler girls and boys basketball teams will host New Hampton for a non-conference doubleheader on Monday to lead off a back to back to start the week. This will be the first ever meeting between the programs in the Bound era.
The North Butler boys (6-10) are in the midst of a three game winning streak, including wins over Clarksville, Central Springs and Saint Ansgar last week. During the win streak, the Bearcats have held opponents to 45 points or less. The motor of the Bearcats offense has been inside the perimeter this season, shooting at 40.6 percent from the field. Ryan Austin leads with 11 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
Bearcats Head Coach Austin Guerrero on what guides offensive rhythm and first meeting with Chickasaws.
“When we can work the ball through the inside, it just opens up all assets of our game. Our guards are working, relocating after an entry pass and getting good step in three point shots and driving opportunities off that. It’s nice to see us come together closer as a unit,” says Guerrero. “I know they play an up and down style, high paced play, and they’ll mix it up defensively with some full court man defense and pressing. They fall back into several different zones throughout the game just to give a different look. It’s a game that we like to get up and down as well. I could see it being fast paced and the team that handles the ball better, limits their turnovers and gets the best shot opportunities is probably gonna come away on that night.”
The New Hampton boys (2-12) have lost four straight including a loss to #3 (3A) Decorah 74-30 on Friday. The Chickasaws rally behind two double figure scorers in Caden Rochford and Adam Ewert with 11 and 10 points per game respectively.
The North Butler girls (3-12) lost 66-27 to #15 (1A) Saint Ansgar in conference on Friday. The Bearcats earn extra possessions with 10 steals per game. Zoey Thompson leads scoring with 10.7 points per game at 32.2 percent from the field. Eden Wix defends the boards with 8.4 rebounds per game.
The New Hampton girls (2-13) have lost six in a row including a 66-47 loss to Spring Grove, Minnesota in a neutral site game at Luther College on Saturday. Ava Leichtman is the Chickasaws only double figure scorer with 15 points per game, and can knock down the three at 30.4 percent.
Action begins at 6:15 p.m. in Greene.
