It wasn't on the origial season schedule, but with mid-season tournaments cancelled and other Covid changes, Valley Falls and Riverside meet for a non-league double-header Friday night in Elwood. The Cyclones spun to a couple convincing victories! 

GIRLS = Riverside 46, Valley Falls 30

Riverside led and outscored the Dragons in all four quarters while forcing 23 turnovers in posting their second straight win. Standout freshman Taylor Weishaar scored 24 points and seven other Cyclones contributed in the scoring column as freshman accounted for 33 of the teams 46 points. Riverside overcame 17 turnovers and just 13-26 free throw shooting to improve to 2-8 on the season. 

Valley Falls came in 3-1 in the month of January but struggled offensively all night. Korie Kirkwood had nine points and Renay Myers added eight, but the Dragons made only 6-17 foul shots and did not make a trey all night while dropping to a record of 3-6 on the season.  

BOYS = Riverside 70, Valley Falls 35

This NEKL versus Big 7 matchup and potential 2A Sub-State preview was encouraged by boys coaches Caleb Gatzemeyer and Tyler Herbster who remain great friends after playing as high school teammates at Valley Falls 20 years ago. Both teams came in with an impressive start to their season, but Herbster won bragging rights in their first meeting with a dominating win. 

Riverside led 7-0 nearly four minutes into the game and never allowed the Dragons back in it. Valley's missed shots would continue and trailing 17-9 entering the second quarter, the Cyclones posted a dominant 20-0 eight minute stretch in which their transition offense was phenominal. After 25-point outburst in the third period pushed the lead over 30 and forced a running clock for the final frame. 

Bray Davies scored 23 points to led Riverside while Nehemiah Byrd added 13. The Cyclones improved to 7-3 on the season. Valley Falls is now 7-2 and followed their 99-point highest scoring effort of the year by posting their lowest total of 35 the following game. Avery Gatzemeyer scored 13 of his 18 points in the second half and no other Dragon had more than seven points. 

Citizens State Bank and Trust Company of Hiawatha "Players to Bank On:"

Taylor Weishaar and Bray Davies of Riverside