The Roland-Story Norsemen basketball team made the trip up I-35 and over on Highway 20 on Tuesday night, to take on the Cadets of Iowa Falls-Alden in non-conference action. The Norsemen girls entered with a 6-1 record and ranked #13 in Class 3A, while the Norsemen boys entered at 6-0 and ranked #3 in Class 2A.
The girls game led things off and from the start, the Norsemen were unable to muster consistent offense, trailing 10-8 after the first, which was then extended to a 23-18 deficit at halftime. Roland-Story started the 2nd half fast, quickly tying the game, but IF-A was able to reclaim a four-point lead going into the 4th quarter. The Cadets were able to pull away late, behind Roland-Story foul trouble and timely makes at the free throw line to claim a 44-37 upset of the 13th-ranked Norsemen. Alyssa Jones was the Jewell Market Player of the Game with 11 points to lead Roland-Story.
Roland-Story’s boys would follow and would have no problem getting off to a quick start, using their stifling defense to open a 16-3 lead after the first quarter. The Cadets would evenly match wits with the Norsemen over the next two quarter, with Roland-Story holding a 45-27 advantage going into the 4th. That was when the Norsemen offense came to life, as Isaiah Naylor found his shot, burying 3, three-pointers to allow the Norsemen to pull away for a 70-41 win. Jonovan Wilkinson was the Jewell Market Player of the Game, as he poured in a game-high 21 points.
Roland-Story returns to action on Friday, when they host West Marshall in Heart of Iowa Conference action at Roland-Story High School.