Area girls basketball roundup: VBC wins two

Area girls basketball teams were back in action Monday and Tuesday night. A few teams, including Van Buren County played games on back to back nights.

The quick turnaround was no trouble for the Warriors, which picked up wins over Columbus and Holy Trinity. Cardinal, Highland, Pekin and WACO split a pair of matchups, while Mid-Prairie snapped a three-game losing streak with a win over West Branch.

Here’s a roundup of area small school girls basketball games from Monday and Tuesday.

Jan. 19

WACO 62, Iowa Valley 35

The Warriors led by just one after the first quarter, but held the Tigers to single digits in each of the next three. Brenna Graber scored 21 points, dished out seven assists, grabbed five steals and had three blocks.

Van Buren County 47, Columbus 41

The Wildcats outscored the Warriors 16-9 in the third to overcome a 10-point halftime deficit. But VBC outlasted the hosts in a low-scoring fourth, winning the period 9-6. Sophia Jirak scored 19 and Marlee Mertens had 12 for the Warriors. Kennedy Woepking led Columbus with 11.

Cardinal 52, Colfax-Mingo 35

The Comets scored 26 points in the second quarter and held the Tigerhawks to 14 points in the second half. Kolbi Saner had 16 points and 11 boards, while Brayleigh Sparks scored 14.

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 46, Pekin 35

The Panthers were outscored 9-2 in the fourth quarter, which allowed the Rockets to pull away. Abby Guise had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

English Valleys 44, Highland 37

EV handed Highland just its second loss of the season despite 20 points, 11 rebounds and five steals from Kamryn Fink. The Bears won the fourth quarter 16-8.

Jan. 20

No. 11 Mid-Prairie 65, West Branch 24

Mid-Prairie didn’t let West Branch put up a point in the fourth quarter of a blowout win. Morgyn Bender hit eight 3s in a 30-point game. Jovi Evans scored 14 and Jeorgia Evans had 10.

Van Buren County 45, Holy Trinity 33

The Warriors made it two wins in two days behind 19 points from freshman Adalyn Snowgren. Jirak was also in double figures with 16.

Pekin 54, Louisa-Muscatine 49

The Panthers snatched the game in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Falcons 20-6. Pekin improved to 8-4 in conference play.

Highland 56, Winfield-Mt. Union 26

Three players finished in double figures in a bounceback win for Highland. Fink had a triple-double with 17 points, 18 rebounds and 11 steals. Mackenzie Davis scored 14 points and Katelyn Thomann had 12.

Wapello 44, Hillcrest Academy 42

The Ravens and Arrows were inseparable throughout the game. A four-point third quarter ultimately left Hillcrest just short after both teams scored 19 in the fourth.

Lone Tree 55, WACO 37

The Warriors outscored the Lions 15-12 in the second quarter after falling down 13-7. But Lone Tree held WACO to single digits in the third and fourth to pull away.

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 59, Cardinal 39

Cardinal couldn’t overcome a 35-19 deficit in a South Central Clash. The Rockets completed a sweep over the Comets with two wins this season.

Central Lee 55, New London 12

The Tigers fell behind 17-1 after the first quarter. The defeat drops them to 0-15 on the season.