Redhawks freshman forward Briar Blake (23) heads vertical in a field goal attempt against the Colo-NESCO Royals last Friday night in Traer. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Both the North Tama girls’ and boys’ basketball teams had successful nights on the hardwood last Friday, Jan. 21, as the Redhawks hosted conference rival Colo-NESCO with the girls beating the Royals 59-46 and the boys repeating the feat, 85-71.

Girls’ results

The North Tama and Colo-NESCO girls’ teams entered the game with fairly even records on Friday – the Redhawks were 2-6 in conference play for the season (3-10 overall) while the Royals were 2-7 in conference play (4-10 overall).

Redhawks sophomore guard Izzy Hallett was the offensive leader for the night across both teams with 16 points – three of those from the 3-point line – while senior forward Mya Sierra contributed 10 points to North Tama’s total.

Sierra was also the rebound leader for the Redhawks with eight rebounds.

Colo-NESCO attempts to block Mya Sierra (11) as she sinks a basket for North Tama in the fourth quarter of last Friday’s game at home in the Redhawks Nest. The Redhawks beat the Royals 59-46. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Senior Redhawks point guard Aubree Monat dropped in seven points for the evening, five rebounds, six assists, and six steals, while senior Jules Breakenridge contributed six points and seven rebounds and freshman Ava Breakenridge dropped in two free throw points to round out the bulk of North Tama’s starting five stats.

After trailing in the first quarter, the Redhawks were up at the half 26-10 with the Redhawks defense keeping the Royals to just two additional points in the second quarter.

The Royals would not lead again for the rest of the game and eventually lost to North Tama 59-46.

Season leaders

North Tama’s Hallett has had an impressive scoring season for the Redhawks in her sophomore year with 117 points thus far. Hallett also leads in both 3-point accuracy and quantity – sinking 30 out of her 100 attempts.

North Tama’s Adam Greiner (23) heads vertical in a field goal attempt last Friday night in the Redhawks Nest as the Royals defense looks on. The Redhawks took down conference rival Colo-NESCO 85-71. Photos by Ruby F. Bodeker

Also showing promise this season for the Redhawks, freshman Ava Breakenridge – a member of the starting five – has amassed 92 points with 48 of those from the 3-point line.

Sierra and freshman Briar Blake lead the North Tama defense this season with Blake rebounding 83 times and Sierra 79 times.

The week ahead

North Tama was next set to see action on Tuesday, Jan. 25 on the road against Collins-Maxwell who were 6-3 for the conference heading into the game.

This Friday North Tama is scheduled to take on conference leader Baxter (8-0) at home beginning at 6:30 p.m. and then travel to Ackley on Saturday to face the AGWSR Cougars who were 8-6 for the season as they entered the week.

Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Tipoff in Ackley is set for 5:15 p.m. at AGWSR High School.

Boys’ results

North Tama’s game last Friday evening against Colo-NESCO started off fast right from the tipoff with Redhawks starting guard Devin McKinley stealing the ball less than a minute in only to be fouled on his breakaway layup attempt.

McKinley sunk both free throws to put the first points of the game on the scoreboard – unfortunately, those were McKinley’s only points of the night and he later fouled out in the second half.

After losing to the Royals earlier in the season 56-61, the Redhawks managed to pull off a win this time against their conference rival.

North Tama ended the first half up 30-26 and then sealed the deal in the fourth by scoring 23 points for the win, 69-51.

Senior Gabe Kopriva was the offensive leader for the Redhawks – as he’s been all season – scoring 26 points and sinking five out of nine 3-point attempts.

Starting Redhawks senior center Thomas Hulme had a great night on both ends of the court against the Royals, scoring 18 points and rebounding nine times.

Senior forward Adam Greiner also contributed nine rebounds – eight on defense – for the Redhawks and nine points.

North Tama sophomore guard Jared Dvorak came off the bench to put the Royals on notice with his assist skills by helping his teammates sink six baskets, the most for the team out of 14 assists total.

Redhawks starting guard Gabe Kopriva (1) sails toward a field goal against the Colo-NESCO Royals on Jan. 21 in Traer. Kopriva scored 26 points during Friday night’s game. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Season leaders

Kopriva has clearly been the offensive leader for the Redhawks this season with 325 points – 100+ points more than runners-up McKinley with 208 and Hulme with 206.

Kopriva’s 3-point skills have been a thing of beauty for fans all season and he puts them on display often – 171 of his 2021-2022 points have come from the 3-point line.

As of Tuesday, Jan. 25, Kopriva leads the state in 3-point attempts with 164 and ranks fourth in 3-points made with 57, not far behind Class 1A Martensdale-St Marys’ senior Hogan Franey with 62 3-pointers made.

The 6 foot five Hulme has been the Redhawks’ defensive leader thus far this season with 156 rebounds which adds up to almost a third of the team’s total.

Hulme ranks fifth in the state for offensive rebounds with 88 as of Tuesday, Jan. 25, and also boasts North Tama’s best field goal accuracy at over 64 percent.

McKinley leads the Redhawks in assists with 52 which equates to about a quarter of all of North Tama’s 2021-2022 assists.

The week ahead

Heading into the week, North Tama sits close to the top of the Iowa Star-South Conference leader board with seven wins and three losses, behind Baxter’s 9-0 conference record.

North Tama boys were scheduled to see conference action on Tuesday, Jan. 25 on the road against Collins-Maxwell who were 5-5 for the Iowa Star-South Conference heading into the game.

This Friday the Redhawks will take on conference leader Baxter (9-0) at home beginning at 7:45 p.m. and then travel to Ackley on Saturday to face the AGWSR Cougars who were 4-9 for the season as they entered the week.

Tipoff in Ackley is set for 6:45 p.m. at AGWSR High School following the girls’ game.

Redhawks starting guard Devin McKinley (5) weaves his way down the court at a rapid clip against Colo-NESCO’s defense last Friday night in Traer. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Gabe Kopriva (1) sinks a 3-pointer against the Colo-NESCO Royals on Jan. 21 in the Redhawks Nest. -Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

North Tama guards Jared Dvorak (left) and Gabe Kopriva (right) surround Colo-NESCO guard Bradley Thomas (14) as part of the Redhawks’ full court pressure on the Royals last Friday night in Traer. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

North Tama starting center Thomas Hulme is surrounded by the Royals’ defense as he looks to pass last Friday night as the Redhawks took on conference rival Colo-NESCO. Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker

Redhawks senior starting center Thomas Hulme (24) powers toward the basket after rebounding against the Royals’ defense on Jan. 21, 2022, in Traer. -Photo by Ruby F. Bodeker