A pair of season opening basketball games are scheduled for tonight at Keota High School. The Eagles girls’ and boys’ basketball teams will begin their season in front of their home fans as they welcome the Lone Tree Lions to town for a non-conference double header.

The Keota girls’ basketball season was originally scheduled to commence on November 21 against the Highland Huskies in rural Riverside. However, a snow storm brought several inches of powder to the area, postponing the game to December 21. Tonight’s game marks the beginning of the Jeff Sprouse era, who took over the Eagles girls’ basketball program in the offseason from Jenny Hobbs. Sprouse will be in charge of leading a team who is replacing seven seniors, including its top four leading scorers.

The Lone Tree Lions girls’ basketball team already has two games under their belt, winning their season opener versus the Danville Bears before falling the next day in their conference opener against the Pekin Panthers.

The Keota Eagles boys’ basketball team brings back several players who played key roles in last year’s 12-10 campaign. Senior Zach Mousel returns as the team’s leading scorer, recording 13.5 points per game last season. Junior Jacob Wickencamp grabbed down 100 rebounds last season, most of any returning Eagle player. The Eagles will have to fill the hole left by Nate Owen, a first team all-conference performer who led the squad in points, rebounds, and assists.

The Lone Tree Lions have significant holes to fill off last season’s 19-5 year. The Lions lost five of their top six scorers to graduation, all of whom scored more than 50 points for the team. Junior Jovonte Squires returns as Lone Tree’s leading scorer, averaging 13.3 points a contest a season ago. Junior Michael Schmidt recorded the most rebounds of any returning Lions player, securing 77 possessions for Lone Tree last season.

It’s a pair of season openers tonight in Keota as the Eagles basketball teams play host to the Lone Tree Lions. Tip of the varsity girls game is scheduled for 6 p.m. with the boys’ to follow at the Eagles Nest in Keota.