Simley at Hastings
7 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 29

The Metro East Conference has proven to be quite competitive in its debut season. Six teams with winning records are in the running for the league title, and perhaps the most surprising is a Hastings team which is sitting atop the standings. 

The Raiders (13-3) are thriving in the conference after suffering through four consecutive seasons that ended with single-digit victory totals. That's not the case this year, as Hastings is 7-1 in league play and recorded five league wins during its current six-game winning streak.

Simley enters the week 5-4 in Metro East play and ranked No. 9 in Class 3A. The Spartans (12-6) need help to win a conference championship, but it's certainly possible as the second half of league play is just underway.

Simley has a pair of brothers capable of leading the Spartans to a strong second-half finish. Junior guard Jack Stensgard leads the Spartans in scoring at 16.5 points per game, while his brother, senior guard Sam, isn't far behind at 16.2 ppg.

Hastings counters with a trio of seniors who are averaging double figures in scoring: guards Sam Skoyen (18.4 ppg) and Craig Nielson (14.9 ppg), and forward Joe Dittrich (10.5 ppg).

The Raiders won the first meeting 68-60 on Dec. 19.