Young Bulldogs Looking to Continue Progress for Riverside Boys’ BB

Young Bulldogs Looking to Continue Progress for Riverside Boys’ BB -

(12-1-25) – It started out well, but sort of fell off to the end. But it was a learning process for all.

Riverside boys’ basketball Coach Nic Kroon feels his young team learned a lot during last season’s 8-15 campaign.

“I think a lot of the things we learned is just the defense and the offensive systems were playing a little bit more and the big thing we talked about is just our defensive field goal percentage was not great last year, and you could couple that with learning a new defense. But also we gave up a lot of size and so another year of growth for our players in the weight room and on the court. Really excited about this season.

The Bulldogs return all five starters, Dawson Henderson, Cole Jeppesen, Brody Henderson, Owen Fenner, and leading scorer Peyton Amdor, who averaged 14 PPG.

“He had a really good summer, really good shot,” Kroon said of 6-2 junior. “He’s developed his game a lot, more than just, I think he was kind of just a shooter, but catch and shoot, pull-ups post-game. I mean, he's worked on a lot of stuff this summer with that and with his athleticism.

Kroon feels the success of his players in other sports has changed the mentality and dynamic of his team.

“We have, I think, seven of them between cross country and state track last year that have reached the top spot in the podium and call themselves state champions. So that brings a whole nother level to practice and competition and just the level of preparation and kind of their grit and will to try to sneak out victories and do a really good job.”

The Bulldogs open their season against Exira-EHK on Monday.

View past scores by visiting the Iowa High School Athletic Association's website, Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union website,
or Iowa Quik Stats