WOODWARD, Iowa — The Woodward-Granger girls cagers open their season tonight with a trip to Collins-Maxwell and the Hawks will be seeking to avenge an opening loss from last year.
W-G’s 2020-2021 squad was hurt by having two key pieces from an 18-5 season the year before leaving the district, forcing the Hawks to adjust to a new combination of players.
The Hawks finished 5-16 overall and 4-11 in the WCAC. They allowed 47.6 points per game while scoring 32.3, and will be looking to lower the former rate and raise the latter.
Head coach Gary Dresback’s cagers will need to shoot better if they are to improve their overall record.
W-G shot just 29 percent from the floor, including 24 percent on 3-pointers. They were 53 percent accurate at the free throw line.
Senior Darby Nixon and junior Grace Deputy are the leading returning scorers, each having averaged 8.8 points per outing last year. Deputy added 183 rebounds to her 185 points and Nixon 96 boards to her 184 points.
Nixon also tallied 40 assists and 60 steals while sinking 29-of-98 3-pointers, a 30 percent clip. Deputy chipped in 22 steals and seven assists.
Senior Rian Jamison finished with 52 points and 81 rebounds while recording 18 assists and 13 steals.
Fellow senior Kenzie Dresback had 35 points and 41 caroms to go along with 20 thefts and 14 assists.
W-G hosts Des Moines Hoover Tuesday before entertaining Martensdale-St. Marys Dec. 2 while visiting AC/GC Dec. 3.
