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North Mahaska Again Leads the Way for Ranked Girls’ Basketball Teams

The latest rankings from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union have been released for girls’ basketball and four area teams remain in the rankings.

North Mahaska continues to be the highest ranked team in the area, as they continue to sit at #3 for the second straight week in Class 1A. The Warhawks already have wins over Lynnville-Sully and Montezuma, their two toughest opponents in the South Iowa Cedar League. NM is 7-0 to start the year.

Speaking of Montezuma, the Bravettes and first year Head Coach Janel Burgess are off to a great start at 7-1 and are at #9 this week. That is down one spot from their #8 ranking last week.

Two Little Hawkeye Conference teams are in the poll in Class 4A. Grinnell continues to be ranked 4th in the state with a 6-0 record including a big win over Pella. The Lady Dutch are #12 in Class 4A after falling out of the rankings the previous week. Pella is 4-2.

The next rankings from the IGHSAU will be released next Thursday night.

North Mahaska Leads the Way As Six Area Girls Teams Ranked

The latest poll from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union came out late last week and a half-dozen schools in the area are ranked in girls basketball.

In Class 1A, North Mahaska continues to lead the charge at #4 after a strong start. Their biggest test of the early portion of the season will be this Friday on the Game of the Week on 104.9 FM KBOE. The Warhawks will be hosting the Bravettes of Montezuma, who are ranked #9 for the second straight week. Both teams already boast early season wins over Lynnville-Sully, who is still in the rankings at #13.

Pekin joins the fray in Class 2A as the Panthers are #14 in the latest poll. Pekin has won three of their first four games, all of which came on the road. Their lone loss was at #13 Mediapolis.

In Class 4A, Grinnell and Pella are still representing the tough Little Hawkeye Conference. Grinnell is still in the #4 slot while Pella dropped three spots down to #13. Both teams are starting to get into the thick Little Hawkeye Conference.

The next rankings from the IGHSAU will come out later this week.

Oskaloosa Boys Win, Girls Fall at Fairfield

The Oskaloosa boys and girls participated in their first doubleheader on the hardwood this season on the road against Fairfield. The boys picked up a big 64-52 win and the girls struggled to a 55-28 defeat. 

The girls led off the double-dip with a very fresh young group leading the charge. No senior played in the game. That inexperience showed as the Indians committed 23 first half turnovers and scored only six points through the first two quarters. At the break, it was all Fairfield, 34-6. 

Things got better as the game wore on, however, as the ball-handling improved with only four giveaways in the second half. The Indians would outscore the Trojans 22-21 in the last two quarters, the second straight game Osky would better their opponent down the stretch.  

Sophomore Mary Nelson led the way in scoring for the Indians with 11 points. Junior Marleigh Denburger just missed on a double-double with nine points and 11 rebounds. Freshman Kaylee Johnson pulled down a team-high seven rebounds and snagged three steals. 

“I like the fight in my girls,” Head Coach Jacie White said after the game. “We just have to find a way to fight earlier in games and stay in them.” 

The boys would be tested for the entire first half. The first quarter showcased both teams’ defensive abilities as neither side was able to put a run together. Fairfield would have a small 12-9 lead after the first period. The second stanza would see the Indians put together more offense with great ball movement. Osky outscored the Trojans in the second 22-14 and had a 31-26 lead at the half. 

In the second half, Osky would increase the lead with great defense and some solid offensive work. They would eventually cruise to the twelve-point win.  

Senior Jarad Kruse did a lot of the work for Osky with a mammoth double-double, netting 21 points and 12 boards. He also added two assists and four steals. Junior Cole Henry also had double figures in points and rebounds as he put up 14 and 11 with a team-high five assists. Tanner DeKock would also have five assists. Highly touted sophomore Xavier Foster would score 16 points for the Indians. 

“I thought we played well at times,” Head Coach Ryan Parker said. “But we need to clean up a few areas. Rebounding and effort need to improve and we will figure that out.” 

“We are going to get everyone’s best shot every single night,” Parker continued. “We have to be ready every night and play at a high level. It’s different being the hunted instead of the hunter and we need to go through experiences like tonight.” 

Both teams will be back in action on Friday night in their home openers. They will face Pella Christian to kick off Little Hawkeye Conference play. The girls will start things off at 6:15 PM at the Oskaloosa High School Gymnasium. 

You can hear the live broadcast on 99.5 FM/740 AM KMZN and check out a live video stream on radiokmzn.com and MCG Channel 7 with the pregame show starting at 6 PM. 

North Mahaska, Grinnell Highlight Area Girls’ Basketball Teams in First Rankings

Basketball season is getting underway in the coming days for the girls and there are a handful of teams from the listening area that are in the initial rankings from the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union.

In Class 1A, three teams from the South Iowa Cedar League were named. North Mahaska is a big surprise at #4 after a stellar 16-7 season last year with mostly freshman leading the way. Head Coach L.E. Moore and the Warhawks have state tournament experience but after a few down years, this year’s team will have high expectations to try to make it back with still a young core learning together.

Also in the Class 1A rankings are Montezuma and Lynnville-Sully. Montezuma went 17-7 last season under Cory Nikkel and will start this season at #9 under new Head Coach Janel Burgess. Their rivals from Lynnville-Sully had a great year last year, finishing 21-3. The Hawks start the year ranked #12.

In Class 4A, a couple of Little Hawkeye Conference teams made the list. Grinnell will start the year ranked 4th after a 19-5 season. The Tigers return several key players to that team for Head Coach Trent Edsen. Pella will also be a factor in the LHC, as they are ranked 10th after finishing 20-5 last season. Head Coach Jerod Garland will have to replace a couple of senior leaders, but there’s still plenty of talent for the Lady Dutch.

There are no area teams ranked in Class 2A, 3A, or 4A.

The No Coast Network will be releasing a full Game of the Week schedule later this week for the basketball season. The Game of the Week will air on 104.9 FM KBOE and kboeradio.com on Fridays throughout the season. Oskaloosa Basketball will be on 99.5 FM/740 AM KMZN and radiokmzn.com with video on MCG Channel 7 for most games, beginning on November 28 as the Indians travel to play Fairfield with the broadcast starting at 6 PM.

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