The Keota Eagle boys basketball team gets the postseason underway tonight when they host Twin Cedars in the first round of the class 1A district tournament. This game was originally scheduled for Monday night but due to weather was pushed back by a day. The Eagles come into the contest with an 18-2 overall record, champions of the east division of the South Iowa Cedar League, and overall co-champions of the SICL. They are ranked ninth in this week’s class 1A poll from the Iowa Associated Press. Keota wrapped up the regular season with a 60-57 loss to Cardinal of Eldon on Friday. Carson Sprouse scored 26 and Luke Hammen 21 in the loss. On the season, the Eagles are led by Hammen and Sprouse both at 16 points and five rebounds per game. Sprouse has the team lead with three steals and Brady Duwa a team best three assists per night.

Twin Cedars is 7-9 on the season, they finished 2-6 in the Bluegrass Conference. Due to COVID concerns within the program, they have not played since a 62-46 loss to HLV on February 1st. In that game against the Warriors they were led by Devin Arkema’s 30 points. On the season the Sabers are led by Arkema’s 16 points per game. Dallas Clark pulls down a team best eight boards per contest. Keota head coach Dan Stout spoke on this week’s KCII Radio Coaches Corner about the mindset of his team entering the playoffs. “We have a group of seniors that know exactly what’s at stake this time of year. We have prepared for the postseason and we are ready to go.”

These two teams last met in 2015 with Twin Cedars scoring a 71-66 win. Action starts tonight at 7p.m. at Keota High School.