The #9 (2A) Aplington-Parkersburg boys basketball team is back in another district final, and will take on North Fayette Valley Tuesday at Waterloo East. It’ll air on 104.9 KLMJ.
The Falcons (20-2) are coming off Thursday’s 70-50 home win over Waukon, where they won comfortably despite shooting only 34 percent.
“We did not shoot the three very well the other night, only 4 for 23,” Thomas says. “So we have to be able to make some more perimeter shots without a doubt. So we’ll spend some time just making sure we’re getting inside out and the threes we want. My guess is we could see some more defense, like every time Benny touched it, they doubled him. So we’ve just got to work on a couple of those things, just sure it up. But we’ve got to be confident, come in loose and just ready to go out and compete and play our kind of game.”
Junior Benny Waller will look to get back to his usual form after being held to seven points, all on free throws, while being saddled with foul trouble. However, the defensive intensity has also helped carry the team to wins.
North Fayette Valley is undefeated at 22-0, though they have the third easiest strength of schedule in Class 2A in the BCMoore power rankings. Thomas says they’ll have to contend with Cael Reichter, a 6’8” forward who leads with 29.7 points and 15.4 rebounds per game on 62 percent shooting. Reichter is second in 2A and fourth overall in points per game, and leads Iowa in rebounds per game.
“He scores a lot for them, puts up big numbers rebounding and scoring. He had 20 of their 34 rebounds and took a third of their shots from the field, and got to the free throw line. We’re going to have to be cognizant of him as we’re able to watch more tape here and prepare, we’ll come up with how to try to limit him. And then I think it’s always a matter of not letting other guys have career nights as well when you play against them. So we know it’s going to be a heck of a ball game. It should be a great atmosphere at East High.”
Coverage will start at 6:40 p.m., followed by the tipoff at 7:00. The winner will advance to Saturday’s substate final against either #8 (2A) Cascade or Jesup.
