The Columbus boys basketball team opens the new year tonight when they host the Van Buren Warriors.

The Wildcats are coming off of a 2-20 season a year ago. Columbus has to replace seven seniors lost from last year’s team to graduation including Carter Colby who finished as the team leader and ninth in the Southeast Iowa Superconference North Division at 13 points per game. The Wildcats also lost senior Ruben Paz who had the team lead and was ninth in the Superconference with 74 assists and 51 steals. Columbus does return their leading rebounder from a season ago with Tommy Pretz pulling down 105 boards. Pretz is joined by fellow seniors Bryan Solis, Abel Mena and Marshall Meade to make up a veteran core for the Wildcats.

Van Buren enters play tonight off of a 6-16 season last year. The Warriors return their leading scorer from last season’s team in Jaden Gerig who was 10th in the Superconference South Division at 14 points per game. The Warriors also have their assist leader Brycen Starnes back. He finished fifth in the south last year with 75. The Warriors also bring back their leading rebounder with Mason McDonough pulling down 153 boards last year, good for fourth in the South.

These two teams met last year to open the season with the Warriors scoring a 51-38 win. McDonough led the way with a double double 16 points and 13 boards for Van Buren. Tipoff is set for 7p.m. in Columbus Junction.