The North Butler boys basketball team will take on fellow Top of Iowa Conference East member Saint Ansgar in a Class 1A District 3 quarterfinal on Monday, it will air on 99 The Wave. This will be their third meeting of the season, the Bearcats and Saints split the regular season series.
North Butler (12-8) concluded the regular season with a 49-40 loss at Gladbrook-Reinbeck on Thursday, February 12. The Bearcats defensively have challenged opponents by allowing an average of 45.3 points per game (leads the conference). Wrigley Endelman and Jarrett Shear set the tone for the Bearcats with 11 points per game apiece. Head Coach Austin Guerrero shares the team’s focus in preparation for their postseason opener.
“Getting our confidence level back up. Sometimes when you take a couple losses, maybe confidence level waivers a little bit and you have to deal with a little bit of that,” says Guerrero. “I’m just going to challenge our guys to continue to play together and help build each other’s confidence back up. We’ll be excited and chomping at the bit to get to our first round opponent.”
Saint Ansgar (13-8) concluded the regular season with a 77-38 win at Riceville on Tuesday, February 10. The Saints fuel their offense with 19 assists per game (leads the conference). Trey Johanns and Anthony Schnable lead the Saints averaging 12 points per game apiece.
Pregame coverage will begin at 6:45 p.m. followed by the opening tip at 7:00 p.m. in Greene. The winner will advance to a district semifinal against either Bishop Garrigan or Northwood-Kensett.
