January 07, 2026
Local NewsState & National

Comebacks signal growth despite close losses

Boys come up just short in 2026 games

By Ryan Stonebraker
Nodaway Valley seniors Titus Hamer (left) and Parker Schneider (50) box out Central Decatur's Paxton Applegate on a free throw attempt in last Friday night's game.

Nodaway Valley seniors Titus Hamer (left) and Parker Schneider (50) box out Central Decatur's Paxton Applegate on a free throw attempt in last Friday night's game. (Caleb Nelson)

There is little doubt the Nodaway Valley boys basketball team has taken a step forward from last season.

The Wolverines are scoring more consistently, competing better on the road and staying within reach late in games. That progress showed during two competitive losses last week, when Nodaway Valley remained in contention until the final minutes in both contests.

In a nonconference home game Monday against West Central Valley, Nodaway Valley trailed 14-11 after the first quarter following a 3-pointer by WCV’s Garrett Wolfe. The teams were tied 22-22 at halftime, and the Wolverines cut the deficit to 42-40 heading into the fourth quarter on a basket by Titus Hamer.

With 2:17 remaining, Ty Rardin was fouled while making a 3-pointer and completed the four-point play to pull Nodaway Valley within one, 54-53. West Central Valley made enough defensive stops down the stretch to secure the win.

Rardin led the Wolverines with 12 points in a 59-55 loss. Titan Foster, Hamer and Jack Berg each scored 10. For West Central Valley, Kade Wilson finished with 20 points, Colton Lindsay added 17 and Wolfe scored 15.

Last Friday, Nodaway Valley opened the 2026 portion of its schedule with a road game at Central Decatur, rallying from a double-digit halftime deficit before falling 45-40. The loss marked the team’s third this season by five points or fewer.

Central Decatur entered the game having won four of its previous five contests, while Nodaway Valley was coming off four straight losses. The Cardinals took a 14-9 lead after the first quarter and closed the second period with an 11-0 run to carry a 28-14 advantage into halftime.

Trailing 40-26 after three quarters, Nodaway Valley outscored Central Decatur 14-9 in the fourth. The Wolverines cut the margin to two points with three minutes remaining and to three in the final minute but were unable to regain the lead.

The game marked the seventh time this season Nodaway Valley has reached the 40-point mark.

Hamer led the Wolverines with a career-high 16 points, including 11 in the second half. Central Decatur limited Rardin, Nodaway Valley’s leading scorer at 16.3 points per game, to seven points. Berg was also held to seven, below his season average of 11.0. Jacob Fry and sophomore Evan Meisenheimer provided key minutes off the bench as several starters dealt with foul trouble.

For Central Decatur, Blake Boyd scored 11 points, including two 3-pointers. Francesco Lacolare added 11 points, six rebounds, four steals and three assists off the bench.

After hosting West Central Valley, Nodaway Valley was scheduled to play at Southwest Valley on Tuesday. The Wolverines face a busy stretch next week with road games Jan. 12 at East Union, Jan. 13 at Mount Ayr and Jan. 16 at Wayne, along with a home game Jan. 15 against Panorama.