The Nodaway Valley boys basketball team demonstrated notable progress despite suffering narrow defeats in recent games. The Wolverines showcased their improved scoring and competitive spirit, staying in contention until the closing moments against both West Central Valley and Central Decatur last week.
In a home game on January 9, 2026, against West Central Valley, Nodaway Valley trailed 14-11 after the first quarter, following a three-pointer from Garrett Wolfe of West Central Valley. The teams entered halftime tied at 22-22, with the Wolverines narrowing the gap to 42-40 by the end of the third quarter, courtesy of a basket by Titus Hamer.
With just 2:17 left in the game, Ty Rardin was fouled while making a three-pointer, successfully completing a four-point play to pull the Wolverines within one point at 54-53. However, West Central Valley’s defense held strong, allowing them to secure a 59-55 victory. Rardin led Nodaway Valley with 12 points, while Titan Foster, Hamer, and Jack Berg each contributed 10 points. On the opposing side, Kade Wilson scored 20 points, with Colton Lindsay adding 17 and Wolfe finishing with 15.
Nodaway Valley continued its challenging stretch on January 12, 2026, against Central Decatur. Despite a strong comeback from a double-digit halftime deficit, the Wolverines fell short, losing 45-40. The defeat marked the third time this season that Nodaway Valley has lost by five points or fewer.
Central Decatur started strong, leading 14-9 after the first quarter and extending their advantage to 28-14 by halftime, thanks to an 11-0 run to close the second period. Facing a 40-26 deficit after three quarters, Nodaway Valley rallied in the fourth, outscoring Central Decatur 14-9. They managed to cut the margin to just two points with three minutes remaining and three points in the final minute but could not regain the lead. Hamer shone for the Wolverines, scoring a career-high 16 points, including 11 in the second half.
Nodaway Valley’s leading scorer, Rardin, who averages 16.3 points per game, was limited to just seven points in this contest. Jack Berg also struggled offensively, scoring seven points, below his season average of 11.0. Key contributions came from Jacob Fry and sophomore Evan Meisenheimer, who provided important minutes off the bench during critical moments.
Looking ahead, after facing West Central Valley, Nodaway Valley is scheduled to play at Southwest Valley on January 12, 2026. The Wolverines will have a busy week with road games on January 13 at Mount Ayr and January 16 at Wayne, along with a home game on January 15 against Panorama. The team remains focused on building upon its recent performances and continuing to develop throughout the season.
