Basketball Game Preview: Ironwood Ridge Nighthawks vs. Walden Grove Red Wolves

The Ironwood Ridge Nighthawks will head out on the road to take on the Walden Grove Red Wolves at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Ironwood Ridge is coming into the matchup on a three-game losing streak.

Last Thursday, Ironwood Ridge was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap as they fell 45-40 to Mica Mountain. While losing is never fun, the Nighthawks can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Arizona basketball rankings (they are ranked 89th, while the Thunderbolts are ranked 32nd).

Molly Walter

Rebounds

01/23/25 @ Mica Mountain	22
01/21/25 @ Sahuaro	11
01/17/25 vs Salpointe Catholic	11
01/15/25 vs Walden Grove	10
01/09/25 vs Canyon del Oro	10

Ironwood Ridge might have lost, but man, Molly Walter was a machine: she dropped a double-double on 18 points and 22 rebounds. Walter has been hot, having posted ten or more boards the last seven times she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Scarlett Barton, who posted six points and five rebounds.

Meanwhile, Walden Grove suffered their biggest loss since November 20, 2024 on Monday. They took a blow against Salpointe Catholic, falling 55-25. The Red Wolves haven't had much luck with the Lancers recently, as the team's come up short the last four times they've met.

Ironwood Ridge's defeat dropped their record down to 9-12. As for Walden Grove, their loss dropped their record down to 13-9.

Ironwood Ridge beat Walden Grove 45-38 in their previous matchup two weeks ago. The rematch might be a little tougher for Ironwood Ridge since the team won't have the home-court advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.