The Nodaway Valley boys basketball team faced a challenging week, suffering two losses against competitive opponents. The Wolverines fell 59-55 to West Central Valley at home and then lost 71-56 in a road game at Southwest Valley, a team recognized as one of the top contenders in the Pride of Iowa conference this season. Despite these setbacks, the young and rebuilding program remains optimistic, with a current record of 1-8 and still in search of their first conference victory.
Nodaway Valley’s recent performances indicate that the program is progressing in its rebuild. Four of their losses have been by five points or fewer, suggesting that a turnaround may be on the horizon. The Wolverines are set to play four games this week, beginning with a match against East Union on January 15, followed by a game at Mount Ayr on January 16. They will host Panorama for their only home game of the week before concluding the stretch with a road matchup against Wayne on January 19.
In their recent clash with Southwest Valley, the Wolverines demonstrated resilience and competitiveness. The 56 points scored by Nodaway Valley marked the highest total that the Timberwolves had allowed through 11 games. This performance highlighted the Wolverines’ potential, as they matched Southwest Valley’s offensive output in the second quarter, narrowing the halftime deficit to 35-30. The teams entered the final quarter with the score at 52-47 after both scored 17 points in the third.
As the fourth quarter unfolded, Southwest Valley pulled away, executing a 14-9 run to secure the victory. Ty Rardin emerged as the leading scorer for Nodaway Valley, contributing 20 points and seven assists. Titan Foster achieved a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds, while Cassius Burnside added nine points off the bench.
On the opposing side, Cael Hogan and Walker Bissell led Southwest Valley with 22 points each. Hogan celebrated a significant milestone during the game, surpassing the 1,000-point mark for his career.
The Wolverines will have an opportunity for redemption when they face Southwest Valley again on January 27 in Greenfield. With the continued support of their community and a focus on development, Nodaway Valley looks to build on their recent performances as they strive for success in the remainder of the season.
