~by Taylor Teays for The Scranton Journal
The Greene County boys went 1-1 in their last week of regular season play, topping Southeast Valley before falling to Perry ahead of the first round of district play on Feb. 12.
The Rams ended the regular season 2-19 overall and 1-13 in Heart of Iowa Conference play, finishing last in the conference and sixth seed in the bracket. They played 15-7, third seed Manson Northwest Webster on Monday on the Cougars’ home court with the winner advancing to play second seed 17-4 East Sac County on Feb. 15.
On Feb. 5, the Rams found their way to a second season win, topping the Southeast Valley Jaguars 69-55 after winning each frame by at least 11 points. Gabe Ebersole netted 26 points in the game, with Brynley Ruzicka putting 17 on the board and Nathan Behne another 10. Behne led in rebounds with seven, Broc Stream added six and Ruzicka was credited with five. Ruzicka also led in assists with seven.
Team stats: FG 27/59; 3PT 6/20; Effective field goal percentage 50.8%; FT 9/19; Rebounds 31; Assists 20; Steals 15; Blocks 1; Turnovers 15; Fouls 21.
Tuesday brought a 72-64 loss for the Rams, falling to the Perry Bluejays. Trailing 40-27 at halftime, the Rams rallied in the fourth but came up short. Ruzicka put up an impressive 32 points, with Behne and Isaac Carman each credited with six boards, but it wasn’t enough to pull ahead of the Bluejays for the second loss to Perry in a week.
Team stats: FG 23/63; 3PT 10/28; Effective field goal percentage 44.4%; FT 8/10; Rebounds 29; Assists 3; Steals 7; Blocks 1; Turnovers 17; Fouls 18.
Final standings, HOIAC boys basketball, 2023-24 — Nevada, 13-1 in conference, 16-4 overall; Roland-Story, 12-2, 17-3; South Hamilton, 11-3, 16-4; PCM, 6-8, 9-12; Saydel, 6-8, 12-8; Perry, 4-10, 9-13; West Marshall, 3-11, 5-15; Greene County, 1-13, 2-19.
