The Newton girls and boys basketball teams kick off the new year tonight in non-conference action by hosting Des Moines Hoover.

The Newton girls will try to end a two game losing streak, after falling at Dallas Center Grimes and at home to Pella to wrap up 2024. The Cardinals are 4-3 overall and 0-3 in Little Hawkeye Conference play, with senior Alex Riney and sophomore Payton Carkhuff leading the way for the squad 7.7 points per game. The Hoover girls have struggled so far on the season, opening the season with a 1-5 record while averaging just 18.3 points per contest.

The Newton boys are also coming off conference losses at Dallas Center Grimes and at home against Pella to end 2024. The Cardinals stand at 3-2 overall and 1-2 in the conference, with senior Cade Bauer fueling the offense at 12.4 points per game. The Hoover boys struggled in the four games they played last calendar year, going 0-4 while being outscored by an average of 11.2 points per contest.

Coverage of Newton games against Hoover tonight can be heard live on the KRLS3 stream and viewed live on the Newton Cardinal YouTube Channel, beginning with pregame coverage at 5:45 pm.