The Hillcrest Academy Raven girls and boys basketball teams draw the Pekin Panthers Friday night in a Southeast Iowa Superconference doubleheader in Packwood. The Raven girls are 4-3 overall this year, 2-3 in conference after their Tuesday comeback bid at home against WACO fell short, 45-38, despite Claire Withrow’s 20 points. This season Hillcrest scores 52 per game and gives up 47, shooting 33% from the floor, 27% from three and 45% at the line with 36 rebounds, 17 steals, 12 assists and 24 turnovers per game. Individually, Withrow’s 19 points leads, so do Delaney Shaw’s 10 boards and Malia Yoder’s six steals and four assists.

Pekin is 3-2 overall and in conference, dropping a Tuesday game to Lone Tree 64-52, despite Anna Hadley’s 16 points. This year, the Panthers score 47 per game and give up 45, shooting 34% from the floor, 26% from three and 29% at the line with 39 rebounds, 12 assists and steals each with 25 turnovers per game. Hadley is best with 13 points per night, Abby Guise is at 14 rebounds, four steals and three assists. The Panthers have won 25 straight in the series, with the last Raven win coming in 2010. This week, Hillcrest head coach Chris Nachtigal spoke with KCII Sports about what his team is doing well through the first handful of games.

Nachtigall said, “I think for us it’s about how we have executed in our half court offense. When we have done that, we have been successful. We have also been good when we have brought intensity on defense and played well within our assignments. It’s been about the little things and taking care of those.”

The Hillcrest boys are 5-1 on the year and 4-1 in the Superconference North after a tough 48-46 loss on Alumni Night to the WACO Warriors Tuesday where Bryce Bailey’s 11 points and 11 boards were best. This season, the Ravens score 65 per night and give up 37, shooting 52% from the field, 32% from three and 57% at the line with 28 rebounds, 17 assists, 12 steals and 11 turnovers per game. Seth Ours leads with 15 points and three steals per night, Mason Bender has six boards and Rowan Miller six assists.

Pekin is 3-2 this year, 3-1 in conference play after a 63-46 home win over Lone Tree Tuesday. The Panthers average 55 points per night and give up 52 on 40% shooting from the floor, 34% from three and 55% at the line. Individually, Cole Millikin puts up 15 points per night, Will Adam six rebounds and Henry Adam six assists and three steals. Raven head coach Dwight Gingerich spoke with KCII about the formula for success for his team early.

Gingerich said, “(Defensively) when we have played well, we have done a better job of keeping the ball out of the high post, playing with a purpose and pressure on defense to force turnovers. On offense, we have had success when we have been able to play with the blend of aggressive patience we are looking for. We have an unselfish team that gives a great group effort.”

These two teams have split their last 14 meetings and did so last year. Action starts tonight at 6p.m. With the girls game in Packwood.