A SEISC doubleheader is in store tonight in the Area Game of the Week between the Winfield-Mt. Union Wolves and the Lone Tree Lions.
The Lone Tree Lady Lions are looking to get back into the win column tonight after taking losses in the last two games to rival Highland, and most recently to Columbus on Tuesday. Cate Sexton and Ava Christofferson each had 10 points in the defeat against the Wildcats. Per game, the Lady Lions put up over 40 points, and give up over 43, shooting 29 percent from the field, 15.7 percent from three and 46.2 percent at the line. Lone Tree averages 28 boards, over six assists and more than nine steals a night, while being turned over 17 times.
The WMU Lady Wolves are also looking to get back on the winning side of things after a loss to Louisa-Muscatine Tuesday. Madisen Kellogg provided a team-high 16 points, while freshman Kynlee Buffington had a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds. Per game, WMU scores 47 points, and gives up over 33, shooting 31.3 percent from the field, 31.2 percent from three and 47.1 percent at the line. WMU averages over 35 rebounds, 10 assists, 11 steals and 5 blocked shots a contest. Buffington is top five in 1A with her 35 boards, 10 blocks, 18 made free throws and 32 free throw attempts.
Lone Tree Head Coach Ryan Shelman talked with KCII Sports after their victory over the Iowa Valley Tigers in the Four Corners Shootout to get his thoughts on what his team did well. “We did a really good job of getting hands and fingertips on basketballs, and that led to turnovers and runout situations for us,” Shelman said.
After thinking back to last season, WMU Head Coach Mendy McCreight shared her hopes for this year’s team with KCII Sports. “I thought we did a really good job of just bonding together as a team, and being very connected in that sense of play. I’m anxious to see what we’ll bring to the team this year,” McCreight said.
In the Varsity Bound era, WMU leads the all-time series with Lone Tree 18-15 dating back to 2006. However, the Lady Lions have taken the last three contests, including a regional playoff victory over the Lady Wolves on February 8th by a final of 73-14.
The Lone Tree boys enter action after coming off their first loss of the young season last night to Keota by a final of 60-55. Emmett Burke led the way with 18, followed by Reece Holbrook’s 15. This season, Lone Tree puts up 63.5 points-per-game, and gives up 53, shooting 59.1 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from downtown and 58.6 percent at the line. The Lions collect 34 boards, 13 assists and 15 steals a contest.
After reaching the state semifinals last season, Klay Edwards’ WMU boys opened the season with a narrow 40-38 victory at Louisa-Muscatine Tuesday. Senior star Jake Edwards was the leader with 22 points and 10 rebounds for his first double-double of the season. Nicholas Sparrow had three assists, while Lane Genkinger had two steals. Against the Falcons, WMU shot 32.7 percent from the field, 20.8 percent from three and 33.3 percent at the charity stripe. The Wolves collected 24 boards, 10 assists, 11 steals and three blocks, committing 13 turnovers.
Lone Tree Head Coach Jonathan Chaney joined KCII Sports on the Area Game of the Week postgame show after last night’s loss to Keota. “Tonight we struggled on rebounding, so we know against a team that’s physical and big like them the game’s going to probably be won and lost on the rebounding factor too,” Chaney said.
WMU Head Coach Klay Edwards gave a preview of his team with KCII Sports. “Looking at the roster, I think we’ll actually be bigger this year than we were last year, which is kind of surprising. I think as the season goes along, we’ll see a lot of growth. So, really the main goal is just to be playing our best,” Edwards said.
In the Varsity Bound era, the Lions lead the all-time series with the Wolves 21-12 dating back to 2009. WMU took the latest contest on February 6th by a 63-38 final score.
You can hear tonight’s doubleheader between WMU and Lone Tree streaming exclusively online at KCIIRadio.com on the KCII3 Stream, beginning with pregame coverage of the girls game at 5:30, tipoff at 6, and coverage of the boys game to follow from Lone Tree High School.