The AGWSR boys and girls basketball teams will be on the hunt for their first conference wins of the season when they visit South Hardin in an NICL-West rematch on Tuesday. It will air on 99 The Wave. The Tigers swept the Cougars in their first meeting on December 19 in Ackley.
The AGWSR boys held on for a 70-66 win at North Tama on Monday. Bo Starr entered the week leading the team with 13.9 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. The Cougars are working to take strides defensively allowing 65.6 points per game. Head Coach Ryley Schipper reflects on the first meeting with the Tigers and how his team has prepared for the rematch.
“South Hardin has been playing really, really well. They just knocked off East Marshall, who had beat Wapsie Valley. Like you said, it’s the second time through. The first time we played South Hardin, we played really well for basically three and a half quarters. Then I think we just kind of ran out of gas,” says Schipper. “The guys have really dug into the scouting reports. I can see they’ve watched a ton of film. It’s gonna be another good stretch of games. I’m excited to continue to see our growth and to see where we can go.”
The South Hardin boys won 66-41 at rival Iowa Falls-Alden on Monday. Sam Benson entered the week leading the team with 14.3 points per game while shooting 45.2 percent from the field. The Tigers defense challenges opponents allowing 47.6 points and forcing 10.9 steals per game. Head Coach John Phillips shares areas of execution needed from the defense.
“Simple things like boxing out, making contact with that opposing player, and then going to get the rebound. Not trying to force a drive or force a pass if it’s not there. Know the scouting report, follow the scouting report. Know when to trap or when to play off your guy a little bit,” says Phillips. “Just the little things add up to big things. We’ll get back in the gym, we’ll watch some film, and then we’ll get back on the right track.”
The AGWSR girls fell 36-23 at North Tama on Monday. The Cougars are working to find their stride offensively, averaging 21 points per game. Natalie Sizemore entered the week leading the team with 5.5 points per game.
The South Hardin girls had won three in a row before a 62-41 loss at rival Iowa Falls-Alden on Monday. The Tigers earn second chances on offense with 17.6 offensive rebounds per game. Ayda Eller entered the week leading the team with 13 points and 2.3 assists per game.
Pregame coverage will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by the tipoff at 6:15 p.m.
