Boys basketball roundup: Gingerich hits 700

A packed weekend of boys basketball games in Southeast Iowa was highlighted by a milestone win by the area’s longest tenured boys basketball coach.

Hillcrest Academy’s Dwight Gingerich became just the sixth head coach in Iowa high school history to notch 700 career wins.

Gingerich’s Ravens won two games in three days to earn numbers 699 and 700.

Hillcrest Academy 74, Columbus 37 (Thursday)

The Ravens rolled to a Southeast Iowa Super Conference North Division victory over Columbus behind a big night from junior Grant Bender.

Bender scored 23 points for the Ravens and pulled down nine rebounds. Luke Schrock and Seth Ours each had 11.

Hillcrest Academy 63, Rivermont Collegiate 26 (Saturday)

The Ravens dominated start to finish to give Coach Gingerich his 700th career win in a nonconference home game. Bender had another big night, scoring 21 points. Josiah Beachy had 12, and Seth Ours scored 11.

Pekin 62, Louisa-Muscatine 26

The Panthers dominated an SEISC North Division road game. Pekin led 10-7 after one quarter, 29-9 at halftime and 48-17 after three quarters of a blowout victory.

Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont 78, Pekin 32 (Saturday)

One day after their win over Louisa-Muscatine, the Panthers went cold against EBF. Pekin trailed 21-14 after one quarter, and scored just 18 points for the rest of the contest.

Wapello 51, Highland 43

The Huskies were toppled by SEISC North rival Wapello in a home game on Friday.

Danville 63, Highland 22 (Saturday)

The Huskies couldn’t keep up with undefeated Danville in an SEISC crossover game. Highland fell to 0-4 with the defeat.

New London 74, Van Buren County 41

New London led 28-6 after one quarter and never looked back in an SEISC South Division victory over Van Buren County.

Devin Swanson scored 25 points to lead the Tigers. Kade Benjamin had 16.

WACO 66, Cardinal 60

The Warriors scored a comeback victory against Cardinal in an SEISC South matchup between two one-loss teams.

Cardinal led 36-29 at halftime but the Warriors fought back to earn a big conference victory, led by 16 points from Simeon Reichenbach, 14 from Colton Leichty and 12 from Hunter Hughes.

Keota 73, Tri-County 27

The Eagles completely dominated a South Iowa Cedar League game at Tri-County. Cole Kindred led the way with 14 points.

WACO 61, Keota 38 (Saturday)

The Warriors defeated another Union area team, this time at home. WACO led 16-9 after one quarter, 30-20 at halftime and 46-32 after three quarters.

Hunter Hughes had 15 points to lead WACO. Cody Graber ended with 10. Keota’s Colten Clarahan scored 14, and Swayer Stout had 12.

Mid-Prairie 62, North Cedar 28

Mid-Prairie cruised in a River Valley crossover road game, knocking off the Knights 62-28.

The Golden Hawks led 21-6 after one quarter, 35-11 at half and 54-22 after three periods.

Carter Harmsen had another big night, going 8-for-10 from the field for 23 points. Ethan Koss scored 12 points, and Alex Bean had 10.