The North Butler boys basketball team will take on fellow Top of Iowa Conference East member Nashua-Plainfield for the second time in a week and third time this season in a Class 1A District 4 first round matchup on Monday. The Huskies won the first meeting 45-44 on December 21.
North Butler (7-14) concluded the regular season with a 53-48 senior night win over Nashua-Plainfield in the second meeting on Tuesday, February 11. The Bearcats difference makers in the meeting were shooting 50 percent from the field and outrebounding the Huskies 28-19. Ryan Austin leads with 10 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. Two Bearcats provide a three point threat, as Brody Wangsness and Jax Thorne are both shooting 33 percent from deep.
Bearcats Head Coach Austin Guerrero on tale of the tape in first two meetings with the Huskies and mindset entering the third meeting.
“The first night we felt like it got away from us, we lost a very close game. We had chances to put away and win the second meeting. We jumped out on them early and played more of our style of basketball. That’s where we feel confident and what we do well and look to continue to build off that. We tried to give it away again at times. I was proud of our guys resiliency to come together and battle,” says Guerrero. “Playing to the best of our ability, we’ll have one focus, one mindset and that’s how we’re gonna get the job done to beat Nashua. Our guys are gonna be excited to get that opportunity.”
Nashua-Plainfield (12-9) lost to the Bearcats in their regular season finale. The Huskies are at their best when they work as a pack with 15 assists per game. Jase Hansen and Matthew Malven are each averaging 15 points per game to lead the team. Jake Smith is the team’s active rebounder with 6.8 boards per game.
Action begins at 7:00 p.m. in Nashua.
