The Hillcrest Academy Raven boys basketball team is ready to start the new year tonight when they welcome Mediapolis to Hillcrest Union and Dwight Gingerich Court. The Raven boys are coming off of a scrimmage Monday night against Keota. Hillcrest finished last season with an 11-10 overall record. They were 9-7 in The Superconference North Division, good for fourth place. The Ravens return leading scorer Eli Ours for his senior season after putting up 18 points per game a year ago. He was also last year’s leader at 3.7 assists per contest and 2.9 steals per game. On the glass, Hillcrest will need to replace Kobe Borntrager who led the team at 5.8 boards per game, John Hughes returns after grabbling 3.6 rebounds per tilt a season ago.

Mediapolis had a preseason tune-up a little over a week ago, dropping a Hall of Pride game to Mid-Prairie in Wellman 65-25. The Bulldogs enter the event off of a 9-14 campaign a season ago, finishing 8-9 in the Southeast Iowa Superconference South Division. The Bulldogs return leading scorer Drew Schroeder who averaged 14 points per game a season ago. He was also MEPO’s leading rebounder last year. The Bulldogs will have to replace Owen Timmerman, who led the way with three assists per game last season. This week, Hillcrest head coach Dwight Gingerich previewed this year’s edition of the Ravens. “It starts with Eli Ours at guard, he’s been a three year varsity starter for us going into his senior year, not something that we have really seen for a long time. He’s continuing to develop as an all-around player, he shoots the ball well, he’s defense is probably the most notable thing that continues to improve. He’s playing hard and setting a positive tone with our team. John Hughes has grown a little bit, he’s about 6’4″ now. His skill level has continued to improve. For a guy who didn’t play prior to his freshman year he has really progressed and it has been fun to watch. Another honorable mention all-conference player for us from last year was Noah Miller. He started as a sophomore. I think he has gotten a lot more comfortable and looks like a veteran. He provides a lot of leadership. He gives us a lot on the defensive ends, shoots the ball and drives it well. Those three are the returning all-conference players from last year. This group has me looking forward to this year because of their willingness to play and practice hard. Their execution is improving. I feel like we are going to be able to do some different things. There are multiple looks that we can give on both sides of the ball and we can move between things quickly with this group. The basketball IQ is high with this group. That along with their willingness to work hard will help us.”

These two teams split their pair of meetings a year ago with Hillcrest scoring a 49-38 win in Kalona and the Bulldogs defending their home court with a 56-52 victory. Action starts tonight at 7:30 at Hillcrest Academy.