(Elk Horn, IA) – If you want to talk about a team that won’t back down from a fight, then I’ve got the conversation starter for you as Riverside continued to battle all night long in their loss to Exira-EHK 75-64. Despite a poor first half of shooting for Riverside, the boys recollected themselves and hung with the Spartans throughout the second half as they came within four points after being down by 15 at the half.
Head Coach Nick Kroon was more than impressed with the talent that Exira-EHK had on the floor and was proud of his boys for sticking with one of the top teams in the region.
One player who made not only an impact tonight but throughout all four years of his career was Grady Jeppesen. The senior had 21 points in his final game in a Bulldog uniform and worked hard to keep his team in the game all night long. Coach Kroon couldn’t have asked for anybody better to lead his Bulldogs all season, “He’s the best basketball player that I’ve ever coached.”
Grady Jeppesen is a player who helped bring the Riverside boy’s basketball program back to what it was in 2013, where the wins continued to come down the line.
Jeppesen was not only leading in every category from points to steals, but he was also an essential team leader. This young Bulldogs team has so much to follow in his footsteps for the future of the program.
Looking at that future, the Bulldogs were led on the night by Cole Jeppesen with 18 points, 10 of which came in the second half of action. Mason McCready got 10 points in his final game as a Bulldog as he was a key in helping the Bulldogs all season. Dawson Hendeson finished with seven points while Owen Fenner, Peyton Amdor, and Wyatt Bell all finished off the night with three points.
The future is bright for Riverside basketball, and Grady is one player who helped to build that future.
(Click below to listen to this article)
