Eagles’ Stout cans 39 in regular season final

With the small school postseason approaching, there was limited play last week.

Keota 77, Wapello 61

Friday's nonconference home game saw JD Stout pour in 39 points on 14-of-21 shooting and go 8-for-11 at the foul line. Carson Sprouse added six assists and 15 points, going 5-of-10 from the field while Luke Hammen produced 13 points, six rebounds and five assists. Wyatt Sieren pulled down nine rebounds.

Keota led 18-13 after the first quarter and 44-32 at halftime. The visiting Indians outscored Keota 18-12 in the third quarter to close to within 56-50, but a 21-10 Keota advantage in the final frame closed out the visitors.

The Eagles will open postseason play at home Thursday.

Hillcrest 69, HLV 37

The Ravens closed the regular season Friday with a decisive nonconference win on the road at HLV. The Ravens jumped to a 21-6 lead after 5 minutes and held a 26-10 lead after one quarter. Hillcrest kept things going through the second period to lead 46-18 at the half. The margin grew to 57-23 four minutes into the second half and everyone saw action down the stretch.

Hillcrest received balanced scoring on the evening, as Eli Ours scored 13 points, Noah Miller tallied 12 and London Schrock had 11 points. Ours connected on three treys and Miller had one. Kobe Borntrager was right behind with nine points and Drew Blauvelt scored eight. John Hughes scored six points, Luke Schrock added a triple, and Aaron Hershberger and Aidan Yoder also scored three points. Grant Bender completed the scoring with a free throw. Ours and Blauvelt had five assists apiece, Miller recorded four steals and Hershberger had a team-high five rebounds.

'Our execution was solid and our pressure had an effect,” Ravens coach Dwight Gingerich said. 'Our guys have improved tremendously through the season, and I'm proud of the growth they have made.”

The victory clinches a winning season for the Ravens, as the Hillcrest mark is now 11-9 overall. The Ravens finished 9-7 in Southeast Iowa Super Conference North Division play, good for fourth place, behind Pekin, Highland and Lone Tree.

Hillcrest opens Class 1A District 7 Tournament action Thursday at Highland at 7 p.m.