KALONA

The transformation of Hillcrest Academy junior forward Grant Bender hit like a freight train the night of November 22.

Here the Ravens and Bender were, playing for the first time this season in a preseason scrimmage, going against the defending state champions in Class 1A.

By the time the Ravens could even catch their breath and blink, they were down 9-0 to fast-moving Montezuma.

Soon, Bender went inside to score his first basket of the game.

And a new journey had begun.

“I thought Grant continued to play hard through the night,” Hillcrest head coach Dwight Gingerich said.

The Ravens lost the half-game scrimmage by a 34-19 score, but grew throughout the game. Bender scored a team-high 11 poiints and the Ravens offense opened up as the night went longer. And that’s exactly the type of progress that Hillcrest fans can likely expect from the Ravens this season as they rebuild a team that lost 16-point scorer Eli Ours to graduation.

Bender was a 5-foot-8 freshman guard when he showed up two years ago.

Now he is six inches taller and battling for points in the paint. It’s a new game, really.

“He’s put on some pounds and put on a few inches from last year,” Gingerich said. “He cares a lot about the game and he’s worked hard to improve his skills. It’s been fun to see him grow in his game. He’s probably the guy that has been in the gym as much as anybody through the offseason.”

Bender, who is the most experienced returning Raven with 17 starts last year, figures to play a key role in what will be a historic hoops season on campus. Gingerich is on the verge of winning his 700^th career game as a head coach.

Aiden Krabill, a 6-1 forward, and Noah Miller, a 5-8 guard, are among three seniors. Those seniors and a group of talented underclassmen that includes junior guards Luke Schrock and Jace Kempel will work their magic around Bender.

“I think it’s going to take a little bit of time to figure out how we’re going to play, given what everybody can do,” Gingerich said. “We don’t have that other post presence and Grant’s really a pretty good player with the ball in his hands. We’re going to see how that’s going to work out for us. He’s clearly going to be an important piece of our puzzle.”

Bender averaged 5.6 points and 2.2 rebounds per game last year, but he was in a supporting role to Ours and the Ravens’ other two seniors last year. Miller started 16 games last year and played in 18. Schrock also played in 18 games.

Among the team’s freshmen is 5-10 guard Seth Ours, who is a younger brother of Eli.

“It’s going to come. It’s going to take a little time,” Gingerich said of Seth Ours. “He’s skilled, he’s smart. But the game is a lot faster than eighth grade. It’s a transition. He’s doing great in practice, as far as taking it all in.”

After opening the regular season Tuesday night at Mediapolis, the Ravens play their home opener Friday, December 3, against Wapello, a 16-win team and district finalist a year ago.

SCOUTING THE RAVENS

Head coach: Dwight Gingerich

2020-21 record: 13-8; lost to North Linn in Class 1A districts.

Top returner: Junior forward Grant Bender is the Raven’s top returning scorer from last year’s team. He started 17 games in his sophomore season and scored 118 points. At 6-2, he is the tallest on the Ravens roster and will power the team’s inside game.

Top newcomer: A group of three freshmen includes guard Seth Ours, a younger brother of 2021 Hillcrest graduate and leading scorer Eli Ours.

Seniors: Noah Miller,  G, 5-8; Aiden Krabill, F, 6-1; Alex Niemeyer, F, 6-1.

Juniors: Grant Bender, F, 6-2; Luke Schrock, G, 5-9; Jace Rempel, G, 5-8; Josiah Beachy, F, 6-1.

Freshmen: Seth Ours, G, 5-10; Bryce Bailey, F, 6-1; Mason Bender, F, 5-11.

SCHEDULE

Nov. 30: At Mediapolis

Dec. 3: WAPELLO

Dec. 7: At Louisa-Muscatine

Dec. 9: COLUMBUS

Dec. 11: RIVERMONT COLLEGIATE

Dec. 17: At Pekin

Dec. 21: HIGHLAND

Jan. 4: At Lone Tree

Jan. 7: WINFIELD-MT. UNION

Jan. 11: MEDIAPOLIS

Jan. 14: At Wapello

Jan. 18: LOUISA-MUSCATINE

Jan. 21: At Columbus

Jan. 28: PEKIN

Jan. 29: At Danville

Feb. 1: At Highland

Feb. 3: LONE TREE

Feb. 5: SEISC Shootout

Feb. 8: At Winfield-Mt. Union

Feb. 11: KEOTA