The Riverside Bulldogs boys basketball team is off and running in the 2024-25 season. Trying to replicate some of their success from a year ago when they finished third in the Western Iowa Conference, the Bulldogs will look a little different this year. After going 13-10 and making it to the second round of the playoffs, the Bulldogs graduated four seniors. However, head coach Nicholas Kroon says he is excited the season is underway and was happy with the work his team put in during the off-season.

The Bulldogs opened their season last week with a pair of games against Missouri Valley and IKM-Manning. In their season opener against the Big Reds, Riverside found themselves down 31-19 at the half. However, they responded in the second half scoring 50 points to win 69-59. Kroon said he was very pleased with how his team responded.

After pulling out the win last Tuesday, things did not go as well on Friday. Taking on a tough IKM-Manning team on the road, the Bulldogs led by three at halftime. However, the Wolves went on a run in the third quarter to pull away. Although things didn’t go as planned, Kroon was very pleased with his group’s effort.

This edition of the Bulldogs is a young group. Riverside has no seniors on the roster and is comprised of juniors and sophomores.  However, despite their youth, the young guns are producing in their new roles. Through their first two games sophomore Owen Fenner is leading the way with 19.5 points per game, including a 21-point outing in the season opener against Missouri Valley. Sophomore Payton isn’t far behind averaging 15.5 points per game games. He has also been the Bulldogs’ most efficient shooting, hitting 41.1% of his field goals. Kroon has been thrilled with the way his players have adapted and excelled in the early going.

Looking ahead for the Bulldogs, they have most of the week off before traveling to take on a 3-0 Tri-Center team on Friday. Kroon thinks rebounding will be one of the keys to walking away with a win.

Tip-off in Neola is scheduled for 7:30 pm.