STORY CITY, Ia. — The Roland-Story Norsemen basketball teams returned to action on Friday night, as they hosted the Saydel Eagles in Heart of Iowa Conference action at Roland-Story High School. The Norse girls entered at 7-2, while the Norsemen entered at 8-1.
Roland-Story’s girls would get off to a slow start offensively, but still led Saydel 12-2 after the first quarter, a lead that grew to 26-7 at halftime. The 3rd quarter saw the Norse offense spring to life with a 23-point frame, helping propel Roland-Story to a 61-15 victory.
The KQWC Player of the Game was senior Cam Thoreson, who finished with 16 points and 4 three-pointers, as Riley Johnson added 15 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 8 steals.
A pivotal game in the HOIAC boys title race followed with the Norsemen and Eagles battled to stay in a tie for first in the conference, as Saydel jumped on the Norsemen early, leading 15-6 after the first. That lead would hold serve at halftime with the Eagles leading 27-18 at the halftime break. The 2nd half saw the Norsemen flip the switch, dominating the 3rd quarter to take a 41-36 lead into the 4th, as both teams traded runs in the 4th, but it was Roland-Story who would seal a 52-47 victory.
The KQWC Player of the Game was junior Eli Van Hove, who led the Norsemen with 19 points, 7 rebounds and a block, while Luke Thoreson had 18 points and 8 rebounds, scoring 15 of his 18 in the 2nd half. Nathan Walterbach led Saydel with 12 points.
Roland-Story girls basketball returns to action on Monday, when they travel up I-35 to take on the (3A) #14 Clear Lake Lions in non-conference action at 7 PM. Norsemen boys basketball returns to action on Tuesday, when they host Grand View Christian in Heart of Iowa Conference action with tipoff at 7:30 PM.