(Greenfield, IA) — Its opening night of the basketball season for both girls and boys at Nodaway Valley as they host Mount Ayr, coverage of both games on KSOM.
The girls are coming off a disappointing 8-15 season that included the leading scorer in the state of Iowa Izzy Eisbach (31.9 ppg) and they lose 4 starters. However, Nodaway Valley has some players that moved into the school district from the now defunct Orient Macksburg team like Senior Emma Boswell (18.0 ppg) who will join Eisbach who is now a Senior. Head Coach Brian Eisbach says that the two players have come together quickly
Sophomores Ella Boswell and Mattison Thompson also come from O-M and could move instantly into the starting line up and provide outside shooting. Seniors Lea Stonebraker, Kacie Ford, Caroline Britten and Kynnady Van Eaton will vie for playing time. Eisbach feels like this team can go a long way
Mount Ayr girls went 21-2 last season and won the Pride of Iowa conference but got upset by Lenox in the 2nd round of regionals. They lose 2 starters but return leading scorer Senior Izzy Gilbertson (14.7 ppg) plus Juniors Jaylee Schaffer (5.1 ppg) and Dannie Stewart (9.0 ppg)
On the boys side, Nodaway Valley opens their season after going 4-20. Head Coach Mick Long, however, has reasons for optimism — he has seen dramatic improvement in his team going into 2025
The Wolverines return leading scorer Sophomore Ty Rardin (8.7 ppg). Sophomore Titan Foster (4.5 ppg) started 16 games last season and can also rebound. Sophomore Jack Berg played every game last year and has made strides. Senior Jaxson Stringer is much improved as an inside player says Long. Seniors Titus Hamer, Dyllan Shannon, Parker Schneider all provide experience. Long would like to put together a full court press defense
Nodaway Valley faces Mount Ayr tonight which tied for first with Southeast Warren in the Pride of Iowa and went 20-4 overall. The Raiders return three starters including leading scorer Senior Jackson Ruggles (19.9 ppg) who shot 42 percent from three point land last season.
Girls Boys doubleheader tonight starts at 6 pm, 5:45 for the pre game, coverage on KSOM and video streamed at Western Iowa Today TV and You Tube.
