Redhawk junior forward Kruiz Ewoldt shoots from behind the arc on Monday, Dec. 2, during the first half of the Redhawks season opener against the Belle Plaine Plainsmen in Traer. Ewoldt was a dominating force on the court that evening, scoring a game-high 20 points including four 3-pointers and notching seven rebounds. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER – Both the girls and boys North Tama basketball teams marked their respective season openers on Monday, Dec. 2, by beating Belle Plaine at home in the Redhawks Nest with the girls blitzing the Plainsmen 51-31 and the boys winning 55-44.

Redhawk girls

After taking turns with the lead for much of the first quarter, the Redhawk girls began to dominate the Plainsmen in the second quarter thanks to a relentless full court press and strong performances from senior guard Ava Breakenrige and junior forward Kruiz Ewoldt who together accounted for 39 of the team’s points and nearly 40% of the rebounds.

Against Belle Plaine, the 5-foot-nine Ewoldt led the offense with 20 points including four 3-pointers and two assists. Breakenridge scored 19 points including a trio of 3-pointers while recording seven assists. Sophomore standout Delanie Taylor racked up six points off the bench including a pair of 3-pointers plus an assist, while freshman Lily Sell added another two points and senior Gabby Velasco contributed a 3-pointer and an assist. Freshman Shawna Cibula made one free throw off the bench.

Ewoldt, Breakenridge, and Sell were equally as dominant on defense with all three players racking up seven rebounds apiece. Breakenridge also had five steals while Ewoldt and Sell each had two. Velasco had five rebounds and three steals.

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The next night, the Redhawks collected another victory at home, drubbing Colo-NESCO, 52-27, for the conference win before losing, 52-37, to Baxter on the road Friday.

Redhawk boys

The North Tama boys notched a win last Friday over the non-conference Plainsmen for the first time since 2022. The Redhawks offense was led by junior guard Kayler Morris who scored 18 points including a trio of 3-pointers and contributed a pair of assists.

Sophomore Brayton Cibula scored a dozen points, senior Josh Dostal had 10, and sophomore Kayvin Morris had nine plus an assist. Senior Tyrus Luker added a field goal while junior Clayton Williams added four points off the bench.

On defense, Dostal led the defense with 11 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. He was assisted by Cibula who had seven rebounds and a steal, while Luker tallied five rebounds.

North Tama center Lily Sell breaks toward the basket after stealing from the Plainsmen during the first half of the Redhawks season opener in Traer on Dec. 2. Sell, a freshman, helped lead the defense against Belle Plaine with seven rebounds and two steals. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The next night, North Tama collected another win at home, beating Colo-NESCO, 55-47, before dropping a road game to Baxter on Friday, Dec. 6, in what amounted to an intense matchup featuring multiple instances of unsportsmanlike conduct from the opposing team.

After facing GMG at home this Tuesday, both teams are scheduled to play Collins-Maxwell on the road tonight, Friday, Dec. 13, before taking on non-conference Gladbrook-Reinbeck on Monday, Dec. 16, in Traer.

North Tama senior guard Gabby Velasco (23) defends against Belle Plaine senior Layne McLeod (1) on Monday, Dec. 2, during the Redhawks season opener in Traer. North Tama won the non-conference game, 51-31, over the Plainsmen. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER