By Mark Schafer | The News-Review
Boys basketball:
EV caps off week with first win over Keota since 2022
The last time the English Valleys boys won a basketball game against Keota, it was a nail-biting 64-62 win. That victory came on Feb. 1 2022.
Friday night the Bears added another win over the Eagles as they were able to win 55-49 over their rivals to the south.
Both teams were tied at 17 after the first quarter, but English Valleys took a one point lead into halftime. They kept extending the lead throughout the second half, eventually grabbing a six-point win.
Kane Axmear led the Bears with 20 points and nine rebounds. Another 18 points came from Christian Tripses. Everett Bender scored eight points.
Keota was led by Jackson Vittetoe with 16 points. Ayden Galindo scored 10 points and Chase Haifley ended with eight points.
The Bears improve to 8-5 on the season while Keota falls to 9-4.
Bears best Belle Plaine, fall to Lone Tree
Overall it was a successful week for the English Valleys boys team. Tuesday night they bested Belle Plaine 55-43. In that game a 26-point first half helped give them the lead. They sealed off the win with 20 points scored in the fourth quarter.
Everett Bender led the scoring with 20 points. Kane Axmear added 12 points with five rebounds. Ben Axmear added eight points.
Against Lone Tree the Bears fell 70-49.
Although they trailed 30-26 at halftime, a 29-point third quarter by Lone Tree put the game out of reach for the Bears.
Everett Bender scored 19 points. Kane Axmear added 10 points and Ben Axmear scored eight points for the Bears.
Keota downs Iowa Valley, Moulton-Udell
The Eagles had two successful games earlier in the week.
In a Tuesday night game the Eagles bested Iowa Valley 69-48. Keota led from the first quarter on in that contest, despite Iowa Valley putting up a charge in the second half.
Chase Haifley led the way with 17 points for the Eagles. Both Brennan McGuire and Jackson Vittetoe added 14 points each in the victory. Ayden Galindo was able to score 12 points.
In their 74-33 victory over Moulton-Udell the Eagles never trailed and held a large lead at halftime. They allowed just one point scored in the fourth quarter.
Chase Haifley led the scoring with 19 points. Porter Cave added 13 points and Brennan McGuire added 10 points.
Girls basketball:
Bears hang on for victory over Keota
NORTH ENGLISH – At first it seemed the momentum was firmly on the side of Keota as they led through the early portion of the game.
Late in the second quarter the English Valleys team seemed to gain their momentum as they would surge back to tie the game at 22 at halftime.
The second half was a nail-biter, but English Valleys was able to score 30 points, while limiting Keota to 26 points, giving the Bears the victory.
Addison Achenbach scored 15 points in the win. Anna Luers added another 11 points and Aubrey Achenbach added 11 points.
Keota was led by Cameron Haifley who had 15 points. Emily Conger added eight points while Jessalyn Aller finished with seven points. Dakota Dodd added another six points.
The Bears improve to 9-4 on the season. Keota stands at 11-4 overall.
