The Hampton-Dumont-CAL and North Butler girls and boys basketball teams will meet to begin their 2026 schedule in non-conference play on Monday. It will air on 104.9 KLMJ.
The Hampton-Dumont-CAL girls (2-6) will look to halt a three-game slide in their return from the holiday break. The Bulldogs have limited opponents’ extra scoring chances with 21.4 defensive rebounds per game (second most in the NCC). MacKenzy Valley leads the team with 11 points, seven rebounds and two assists per game. Head Coach Miranda Stafford highlights what she would like to see from the team in return game action.
“They’re in the same boat record wise as what we are. They’re going to be hungry. They’re going to be looking for a couple of wins as well,” says Stafford. “We have just got to go out and play hard. That’s what we’ve talked about, is play hard every single game. If the ball goes in the basket, good things are going to happen. Play hard on the defensive end and make some things happen on the offensive end.”
The North Butler girls (3-5) fell 54-25 at home to Nashua-Plainfield in their final game before break on December 22. The Bearcats have produced a balanced offense through 10.8 assists per game (second most in the TIC-East). Eden Wix leads the team with 10.7 points and eight rebounds per game. Head Coach Jordan Nolz says each player took time to work on skills during break.
“We’re looking at little pieces for everybody to focus on and grow with, to take away some of our weaknesses and add a strength,” says Nolz. “Each kid’s done something individually to improve their skills. A couple girls struggled shooting, some decision-making stuff. Really all around each and every player is grown in a different way.”
The Hampton-Dumont-CAL boys (2-4) will look to bounce back from a three-game slide in their return from the holiday break. The Bulldogs keep the ball moving offensively with 14.3 assists per game (third most in the NCC). Brady Harr sets the tone by averaging a double-double with 18.7 points and 11.2 rebounds per game.
The North Butler boys (3-3) fell 54-49 at home to Nashua-Plainfield in their final game before break on December 22. The Bearcats defense holds opponents to an average of 48.5 points per game (second least in the TIC-East). Jarrett Shear establishes a post presence with 17.5 points per game.
Pregame coverage will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by the tip off at 6:15 p.m. in Greene.
