By Dalton Shadle
MOUNT AYR, Iowa — The Raider boys got back on the hardwood Monday night in their first game after the holiday break.
The Raiders dropped the first game of 2026 to Woodward Academy 59-49 in Mount Ayr.
The first half of the game leaned in the Knights favor with them putting up 21 in the first quarter to 10 for Mount Ayr.
The Raiders would hold Woodward in check during the second quarter but could not cut into the lead and faced a 31-18 halftime deficit.
Coming out of the break the Mount Ayr found itsfound their footing putting up 21 points in the third quarter and 10 in the fourth quarter while the Knights put up 19 in the third quarter and nine in the fourth.
Even though they outscored Woodward Academy in the second half, the comeback effort could only trim the deficit to 10 points. The loss drops the Raiders to 6-3 on thr season.
Senior Jackson Ruggles led the team in points scored with 21 points, with over half of those coming from beyon the three point line as he hit five triples.
Junior Adler Reed added nine points, while senior Jaxson Greene scored six.
The Raiders were at Lenox on Tuesday (results were not available as of press time.
Mount Ayr will host Martensdale-St. Mary’s at 7:30 p.m. on Friday night.
