The words “Team effort” accurately describe Greene County’s two basketball victories on Tuesday night in Perry. With injuries and illness accounting for the absence from the court on both the varsity teams, the Rams still found a way to win. Those individuals with starting spots and regular playing time in several cases hit career scoring highs, made key defensive plays, and hauled in rebounds that helped their teams win.

But so did several others that stepped onto the court Tuesday for the first time with the game on the line or in a role they weren’t accustomed to. In the girls 47-46 victory, sophomore Faith Jaimes-Diaz was inserted into the contest with little time remaining. All she did with her team trailing 46-44 was make the game tying basket with 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Senior Becca Anderson sank a free throw with 4.2 seconds on the clock to seal the win. Freshman Mackenzie Wahl had arguably her best game as a varsity Ram with five points and several rebounds in a reserve role.

The Greene County boys were down three of their top eight due to injury even before the game started including their top two scorers on the season. Senior Teagan Chisholm scored a career high 21 points and was a perfect six for six at the foul line in the closing minutes. Junior Zack Stalder had 14 points, also a varsity career best before fouling out. Sophomore Gage Derry came off the bench to hit a two-pointer just before the halftime buzzer to increase a three point advantage to five at intermission while sophomore Calvin Fields and freshman Joe Higgins in reserve roles were praised by head coach Chris Nelson for their efforts in securing the victory.

Fans can see both Ram teams in action tomorrow night in Jefferson vs. Grand View Christian (Des Moines) on Athletics Hall of Fame weekend. The 2026 inductees will be introduced to the basketball crowd on Friday night, then at 6 p.m. Saturday at the high school the public is invited to a free of charge reception in the commons area, followed by the induction ceremony in the auditorium. Friday’s games will be broadcast on KG98 and streamed on www.raccoonvallley.com with the girls playing at 6 o’clock and the boys to follow.