The holiday break didn't cool off the Hiawatha basketball teams as they opened 2026 with a pair on convincing wins against Holton to improve to a combined 13-1 record on the season. 

GIRLS = Hiawatha 52, Holton 36

This game was decided in the second quarter when Holton had nine turnovers and failed to make a field goal before trailing 28-16 at halftime. The game was close early thanks to a pair of treys by Olivia Doney and a hot start from Beka Lassey as Holton had a 13-12 advantage late in the first quarter. However, Wildcat leading scorer Lili Tanking picked up a second personal foul less than three minutes into the game and sit out the final 13-plus minutes of the first half.

The scrappy Redhawks were playing without their tallest player Claire Twombly (5'8), but forced more than 20 turnovers and was consistent with their scoring in every quarter. Kylie Nelson scored right on her season average of 22 points while Michaela Williams also scored her season average of 13 and the pair combined to go 6-8 at the foul line. Kenzie Nelson had six points and Pauly Rockey added a pair of three-pointers off the bench to help Hiawatha improve to 7-0 on the season. 

Holton was led by Beka Lassey who posted her third straight double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds to go along with five blocks. Tanking hit four triples and scored all 13 of her points in the second half and Doney added 8 points before Holton fell to 0-7 on the season. 

BOYS = Hiawatha 68, Holton 36

The Redhawks boys were dominant from start to finish including a 25-11 first quarter to set the tone. Leading 40-23 at halftime the Hiawatha boys posted an 18-5 third quarter to force a running clock throughout the final period. 

Braylen Siebenmorgen scored 22 points while Lane Kesler added 16. Ethan Morton chipped in 9, Leyton Moore had seven off the bench and Michael Jensen hit two of the six triples for the Hawks to finish with six points. Hiawatha improved to 6-1 on the season and will play Tuesday at Royal Valley in their first of three games next week.  

Holton was led by Kerrick DeDonder with 15 points but no other Wildcat had more than six with Easton Moulin hitting a pair of treys. The Wildcats dropped to 0-7 on the season and will host Riley County on Tuesday for winter royalty.