North Butler Basketball Meets Janesville in Postponed Matchup on Thursday
The North Butler basketball teams look to get back on track in the midst of the final stretch of regular season games, as they host Janesville for a long delayed doubleheader on Thursday. The Bearcats and Wildcats were originally scheduled to meet on December 14th, but the games were postponed due to illness at Janesville.
The North Butler girls are working through a nine game losing streak at 4-14 overall after a 49-35 loss at home to West Fork on Tuesday. The Bearcats have limited second chance scoring opportunities with 24 defensive rebounds per game, which is second in Top of Iowa East. Kaycee Wiebke (why-b-key) leads with 10.6 points and 12 boards per game. Head Coach Jordan Nolz says it was a tough situation with the postponement of the original meeting and says the Bearcats will need to do their jobs.
"With all the weather issues to have, it was a school sickness that kept us out of the game," says Nolz. "Last year we went out and beat them, played a really good game and strong the whole game. We're hoping to build off that and again we don't ever overlook a team. We're gonna have to come out ready to play and if we do our job properly, and we play like we showed we can then the result will be in our favor."
The Janesville girls are 6-12 overall. The Wildcats have also put in the work on the boards with 31.7 rebounds per game, which is the third most in Iowa Star North. Honor Hovenga leads with eight points per game, while shooting 30.1% from the field.
The Bearcats boys are looking to stop a two game slide at 5-12 overall after a 61-43 loss at home to West Fork on Tuesday. The Bearcats have knocked down the three ball at 30.2% efficiency, which is the third best in Top of Iowa East. Hunter Rademaker leads with 11.9 points and 7.9 rebounds per game. Head Coach Austin Guerrero says it will be a good battle against former team he coached for and it is a chance for the Bearcats to continue to improve ahead of postseason.
"Janesville is a place that I called home for three years as an assistant coach, so it'll be good to battle with a coach that I got to work with and excited for that opportunity," says Guerrero. "When it comes to the game, Janesville is gonna battle. They're gonna play man to man defense and play it solid and force you to make the right play. We want to put our best foot forward, especially towards the end of this regular season. You get to your last few games, you gotta iron out some details of what you really wanna be for that first round when it really matters and it's win or go home."
The Wildcats boys are 9-9 overall. The Wildcats stand with a solid scoring defense that allows 54.9 points per game, which is the third least in Iowa Star North. Talan Pletz leads a balanced scoring core with 13 points per game, while shooting 48.3% from the field.
Action begins at 6:30 p.m. in Greene.
