The Hillcrest Academy Raven boys basketball team begins their postseason push tonight hosting the Central City Wildcats in the first round of the 1A District Tournament. Hillcrest is 19-3 this season after a 77-36 Senior Night win over Rivermont Collegiate last week where Seth Ours led with 20 points. They finished 14-2 in conference play, winning the North Division of the Southeast Iowa Superconference. On the year, the Ravens average 65 points per game and give up 42, shooting 51% from the floor, 34% from three and 61% at the line with 27 rebounds, 18 assists, 11 steals and 10 turnovers per game. Individually, Ours is best at 15 points per night, Mason Bender averages seven boards and Rowan Miller adds six assists and two steals.

Central City is 7-14 on the season and 4-10, fifth in the Tri-Rivers West Conference. They beat Starmont 64-47 in their final regular season contest with Matthew Klosterman scoring 25. On the year, the Wildcats average 55 points per game and give up 60 on 43% shooting, 25% from three and 58% at the line with 31 rebounds, 13 assists, nine steals and 17 turnovers per game. Individually, Klosterman is the leader at 21 points and two steals, Jason Rose has seven rebounds and Max Arthur three assists per game. This week, Raven head coach Dwight Gingerich joined the KCII Radio Coaches Corner to talk about the keys against the Wildcats and what he wants to see from his team.

Gingerich said, “Their point guard is a 450-point scorer this year. They have a big kid, 6’4″, 6’5″ who dunks with ease in transition.  Then they have other plays that play their roles well. They are a balanced team. I feel like it’s a team that we have to be as prepared as possible for. We have to take care of the ball, something we didn’t do as well against West Burlington. We have to rebound, move well without the ball, and defensively, all be on the same page, work well in what we have been doing and what’s been successful.”

These teams have not met since 2009, a 62-51 Hillcrest playoff win. Action starts tonight at 7p.m. At Dwight Gingerich Court at Hillcrest Union in Kalona.