It’s an All-KCII area battle Tuesday night in Columbus Junction on the KCII Area Game of the Week when the Columbus Wildcats host the Lone Tree Lions in a Southeast Iowa Superconference doubleheader. The girls game features last year’s league champion Wildcats against the runners-up from Lone Tree. So far in 2025, each are trying to find their footing as they come into tonight under .500. The Lady Lions are 1-2 on the season with a win over Iowa Valley and losses to Keota and Highland. Last time out, they fell to the Huskies 50-29. On the year, Lone Tree averages 44 points per game and gives up 43 on 29% shooting, 23% from three and 46% at the line with 33 rebounds, 10 steals, eight assists and 15 turnovers per game. Individually, Finley Jacque has a team best 15 points per night, Harper Kuboushek eight rebounds, Ava Christofferson three steals and Dalanie Graap two assists.

Columbus is 0-1 this year after a 62-48 loss to Louisa-Muscatine a week ago. The Wildcats shot 34% in the game, hitting eight threes and 50% at the line winning rebounds 45-39 and assists 16-12, but were bitten by 39 turnovers. Ellie Sanders led with 11 points, Naveiah Garza had 13 rebounds and Iris Garza four assists. Lone Tree has won 21 of the last 32 in the series, and 10 of 13. The two schools have split their last four and Columbus swept both meetings a season ago.

This is the start of a new season for both boys programs. The Lone Tree boys were 7-14 last year, finishing 5-11 in conference play for sixth place in the Superconference North. The Lions averaged 55 points per game and gave up 62, shooting 41% from the field, 29% from three and 58% at the line with 26 rebounds, 13 assists, 10 steals and 15 turnovers per game. Reece Holbrook is back for Lions after an All-Conference season last year with 12 points and a team best seven rebounds and two steals. Domonic Garcia is the leader back after averaging two assists per game.

Columbus was 6-16 last year, finishing 4-12 in conference and one spot behind Lone Tree. The Wildcats scored 49 points per game and gave up 65 on 33% shooting, 26% from three and 52% at the line with 31 rebounds, 11 assists, eight steals and 20 turnovers per game. All-Conference choice from a year ago Ellis Hills-Carrier is back after a sophomore season where he led the Wildcats at 16 points and three assists per game. He is also the leading rebounder back at five per contest. Drake Marin also returns after scoring eight per night a year ago. Lone Tree has won 24 of the last 31 in the series, but the two teams have split the last 14, including last year where each won on their home floor.

You can hear all of the action from the Columbus/Lone Tree doubleheader live tonight on AM 1380, FM 102.5, the KCII2 App and KCIIradio.com, beginning with the Area Game of the Week Pregame Show at 5:30p.m., tip of the girls game at six with the boys to follow from Columbus High School.