Ruggles tops 1,000 career points in Raiders’ win over Nodaway Valley

The Nodaway Valley boys basketball team fell behind early in their season opener at home Tuesday, Dec. 2 against the team that many are picking to win the POI this season: the Mount Ayr Raiders.

Mount Ayr used a 21-8 first quarter run to take control of the game in a 69-44 victory.

Mount Ayr won for the sixth time in games between the two schools since the 2023 season. The two teams will play again this season in Mount Ayr Jan. 13.

The Wolverines shot 28% for the game, making seven 3-pointers and 9 of 13 free throw attempts.

Jack Berg led Wolverine scorers with nine points and four rebounds. Titus Hamer and Cassius Burnside each added eight points and combined for four of the seven made NV 3-pointers. Mount Ayr had three players score in double figures in the game. Jackson Ruggles led with 21 points, going over the 1,000 career points milestone, while Hayes Stogdill and Tate Dugan added 16 and 15 points. Dugan had a double-double with 12 rebounds while Stogdill was 4-for-6 from the three-point line.

Trailing by 13 going to the second quarter, the Wolverines made the most headway in that quarter, but Mount Ayr led 43-24 going to halftime. The Raiders extended their lead to 59-35 going to the final quarter.

Nodaway Valley played at Griswold Monday, Dec. 8 and traveled to Lenox Tuesday, Dec. 8. The three-game week concludes Friday at home against Martensdale-St. Marys.