The Hillcrest Academy boys basketball team draws a tough assignment Thursday in the second round of district play when they travel to Troy Mills to take on North Linn. The Ravens are 13-7 on the season after a 41-37 win on Monday in Kalona over Iowa Valley to open the tournament. Three Ravens got to double figures in the win, led by senior guard Eli Ours with 12 points, John Hughes and Grant Bender each had 11. On the season, Hillcrest is paced by Ours at 17 points, four assists and three steals per game. Hughes leads the Ravens on the glass with five boards a night.

North Linn is a perfect 22-0 on the season. They are ranked No. 1 in class 1A in the latest poll from the Iowa Associated Press. Last year’s state runners-up opened districts Monday with a 110-21 victory over Cedar Valley Christian. Five Lynx players got to double figures led by 24 points from Dylan Kurt, 21 points and 15 assists for Austin Hilmer, 17 for Tate Haughenbury, 13 for Gunner Vanourney and 12 for Kaleb Kurt. On the season, North Linn is led by Hilmer at 20 points, eight assists and four steals per game. Haughenbury averages six rebounds per night. This week, Hillcrest head coach Dwight Gingerich talked about his team’s recent play and preparing for the Lynx. “We talked after the Iowa Valley win in the locker room. Celebrated each guys contribution to the win from the starters to the bench and talked about the team aspect. We needed everybody in that one. Reminding them that its about us, together as a team. This time of year it’s about living to play again. We get North Linn, the number one team in the state. We have a couple of days to prepare, get better and get ready.”

The winner of this contest advances to the class 1A district nine championship game Tuesday at Vinton-Shellsburg High School against the winner of Alburnett and Belle Plaine. You can hear all of the action live tonight between the Ravens and the Lynx on FM 106.1 KCII, beginning with the Washington HyVee pregame show at 6:30 and tip off at 7p.m.