TEAM: Riley County Falcons/Lady Falcons

CLASSIFICATION: 3A

LEAGUE: Big East (new for 2024-25)

COLORS: Blue & White

SOCIAL MEDIA: N/A

2024-25 SCHEDULE:

12/6 at Clay Center

12/10 vs Concordia

12/13 vs Valley Heights

12/17 at St. Marys

12/20 at Perry-Lecompton

1/7 vs Holton

1/10 at Jeff West

1/14 at Rossville

1/17 vs Sabetha

1/21-25 Tournament

1/31 vs Royal Valley

2/4 vs Silver Lake

2/7 at Hiawatha

2/11 vs Wabaunsee

2/14 vs Nemaha Central

2/18 vs St. Marys

2/21 vs Rossville

2/24 at Silver Lake

Big East League game

GIRLS

HEAD COACH: Kelsey Nelson (4th year, 38-29)

2023-24 RECORD: 12-9, 5-5 in Mid East League

2023-24 IN REVIEW: There would be no return to the state tournament for the Lady Falcons, but Kelsey Nelson’s charges put together another solid, winning season in 2023-24. They held their own in a tough Mid East League thanks to standout play from Anna Lambert (first team All-League) and Taryn Overman (honorable mention), but lost their first game at sub-state.

2024-25 OUTLOOK: Overman graduates, but Lambert returns with two other starters to form this season’s nucleus. She averaged 13.5 points and 7.5 rebounds last season and will be one of the top talents in the new Big East League. Joining her as returning starters are Rileigh Mitoska and Avery Higgins. Three other returners will have an opportunity to step up and contribute at a greater level this season: Gracie Scofield, MaKenna Wamsher, and Emma Anderes. Nelson has these Lady Falcons consistently winning, and they have the kind of star player leading the way that will give them a chance to make a deep postseason run this coming season.

FROM THE COACH’S CLIPBOARD: “We have talented hard-working girls from the top to the bottom. We are looking forward to seeing how our older players and younger players can mesh together to form a successful team. We are excited to show up every day ready to get better and compete as a team.” – Kelsey Nelson

BOYS

HEAD COACH: Jacob Claycomb (1st year)

2023-24 RECORD: 7-15, 3-8 in Mid East League

2023-24 IN REVIEW: It ended up a fourth consecutive losing season for Riley County boys basketball, though the Falcons did win one more game than they had the year previous and won a game at sub-state before being eliminated in the semifinal. Eli Harmison led the show for the Falcons in his junior season and earned second team All-League honors for his efforts.

2024-25 OUTLOOK: Jacob Claycomb is the new head coach of the Falcons, and he wants his group to play fast. Three starters and six letterwinners return as the team looks to be more competitive in the new Big East. Along with Harmison, Jace Woodard and Trent Webber are back into the starting lineup. Brett Hopper, Trey Webber, and Davis Carson provide experience for the Falcons as well. The hope for the new bench boss Claycomb is that the athleticism of this group can translate into more scoring and more success.

FROM THE COACH’S CLIPBOARD: “This is an extremely hard working group of young men. They will be learning a new system and play style this year but I feel we have the talent levels to play at the tempo that will be expected this year.” – Jacob Claycomb

–Dan Lucero

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