(Sioux City, IA) — Riverside will try to go to the girls basketball state tournament for the first time in school history as they battle West Lyon in a Class 1A Regional Final tonight, coverage on KSOM.
No Riverside team in the current configuration has ever been to girls basketball state although the old Oakland High School went to six state tournaments between 1949 and 1956. West Lyon has been to state six times in school history, the last being in 2022.
Riverside is 20-3 and has beaten Missouri Valley 48-28 and won over AHSTW 52-31. The Bulldogs have lived by their defense — they have only allowed 29.7 points a game. One big match up will be in the paint — both teams leaders play inside with Junior Sydney Somers of the Bulldogs leading the team with 13.5 points per game and West Lyon’s Sophomore Taya Christie averaging 13.9 points per game. Bulldogs Head Coach Mark Jeppesen believes Somers will be up for the challenge
Jeppesen says the Wildcats are also dangerous outside — Junior Ava Carolan is shooting 34 percent on her three pointers — 50 of 146 for the season and Jeppesen is afraid of her getting on a role
West Lyon is 16-7 and has beaten Manson NW Webster 61-29 and MMCRU 53-22 in the region and Head Coach Ryan Brasser wants to emphasize balance tonight
Brasser says Riverside’s pressure defense wrecks havoc and they will have to find a way to crack it
Riverside battles West Lyon tonight with a berth in the state tournament on the line, Tip off at 7 pm, Pre Game at 6:40 on 96.5 FM KSOM from Sioux City East High School.
Riverside Head Coach Mark Jeppesen
West Lyon Head Coach Ryan Brasser
