Two Southeast Iowa Superconference rivals are set to square off in a hoops doubleheader Friday night in Columbus Junction when the home Wildcats entertain the Hillcrest Academy Ravens. The Columbus girls enter the contest with a 9-3 record. They are tied for the Superconference lead with a 7-1 mark. Columbus was stopped Thursday by Van Buren 44-40. On the year, the Wildcats score 49 points per game and give up 37, shooting 28% from the floor, 19% from three and 52% at the line with 36 rebounds, 12 assists, 17 steals and 14 turnovers per game. Individual leaders include, Adriana Vergara and Lily Coil each at 15 points per night. Coil also goes for 10 boards, six steals and four assists per game.
Hillcrest Academy is 4-8 this season after a 56-48 win over Winfield-Mt. Union in Kalona. The Ravens are 1-8 in league play. This season, they score 41 points per night and give up 42, shooting 29% from the floor, 30% from distance and 50% at the line with 33 rebounds, 10 assists, 13 steals and 20 turnovers per game. Individual leaders include, Claire Withrow at 16 points per night. Malia Yoder averages four steals and three assists and Delaney Shaw 10 rebounds. These two teams met on November 21st with the Wildcats scoring a 39-24 win led by a 14 point 13 rebound double double for Vergara. Withrow had 13 points for Hillcrest. The Wildcats have won the last five in the series.
The Wildcat boys are 2-8 this year, 2-6 in Superconference play after handing Highland a 55-47 loss on Tuesday. The Wildcats average 46 points per game and give up 66, shooting 33% from the field, 28% from downtown and 57% at the line with 28 rebounds, nine assists, six steals and 21 turnovers per night. Individual leaders include, Tim Hills-Carrier at 18 points, eight boards and two steals per night. He and Ellis Hills-Carrier each post two assists per game.
The Hillcrest boys are 8-3 this year, 5-3 in the conference after a 72-35 setback in Kalona against No. 6 Winfield-Mt. Union on Tuesday. This season the Ravens average 53 points per game and give up 45, shooting 45% from the floor, 34% from three and 60% at the line with 26 boards, 17 assists, 10 steals and 13 turnovers per game. Individual leaders include, Seth Ours with 16 points per night, Mason Bender at five boards per game, and Rowan Miller at five assists and two steals per outing. This is the first meeting of the year between the two teams. The Ravens swept both contests last year and have won 29 in a row over the Wildcats.
Action starts tonight at 6p.m. at Columbus High School.