The West Fork girls and boys basketball teams will celebrate their senior players in the final home games of the year when they host rival North Butler in a Top of Iowa Conference East rematch on Tuesday. The West Fork girls won 52-23 and the North Butler boys won 45-38 in the first meeting on January 7.
The West Fork girls (14-3, 9-1 TIC-East) have won two games in a row and claimed sole possession of first place in the Top of Iowa Conference East with a 59-43 upset of #13 (1A) Saint Ansgar on Friday. The Warhawks keep opponents on the run with 17 steals per game. Leah Weaver has helped the team soar with 16 points and Nehir Kanat adds 10 points per game for the Warhawks.
Warhawks Head Coach Rodney Huber on opportunity to recognize eight seniors.
“They’re a special group. Leah Weaver’s played all four years, she’s been in the varsity lineup and given substantial minutes. Her and Karma McMorris were part of the state tournament run, and played a lot of minutes for us as sophomores. There was a couple other girls, Brylee Dickman, Brylie Hubka and Ava Huff would have all been on that roster as well, I believe,” says Huber. “We won’t be able to start everyone like we usually do, they will all get to contribute at some point during the game. I think that’s great for our program. The girls appreciate that they get time on the floor in front of their classmates and parents. It’s a great way to recognize them and the hard work that they’ve given the program.”
The North Butler girls (3-14, 2-9 TIC-East) have lost three straight games, including a 59-10 non-conference loss at Iowa Falls-Alden on Thursday. The Bearcats last week were challenged by ongoing illness and injury for the team including the absence of starters Jady Thorne and Eden Wix from the lineup.
Bearcats Head Coach Jordan Nolz on working back from those challenges.
“I’m looking forward to getting back into conference play and hopefully getting a full roster back with us,” says Nolz. “I’ve been talking to a bunch of our girls that have been sick. Jady Thorne’s been sick on and off the past two weeks and she’s just itching to get back. Eden Wix has been sick for a week, she’s ready to get back. A couple other varsity girls are injured and gonna have to rest up. We’re looking forward to Monday to possibly have a full roster of kids that have played varsity.”
Zoey Thompson leads the way with 10 points and 7.5 rebounds per game.
West Fork boys (7-9, 4-6 TIC-East) have won three straight games including a 58-51 win over Saint Ansgar on Friday. The Warhawks are at their best when they keep the ball distributed with 12.7 assists per game. Ashyr Wiseman and Xavier Haller collaborate as the top scorers with 15.9 and 12.8 points per game respectively.
North Butler boys (6-12, 4-7 TIC-East) will play their first game in a week, following a 71-27 loss to Osage on January 28. The Bearcats offensive production runs through inside perimeter play, shooting at 39.6 percent. Ryan Austin leads with 10.9 points and 7.3 rebounds per game.
Action will begin at 6:00 p.m. in Sheffield.
