Boys basketball: WMU, Columbus, WACO each grab wins

Southeast Iowa was thriving with basketball action on Tuesday night and a handful of Union area teams kicked off their new year campaign with victories.

Those squads were Winfield-Mt. Union, Columbus and WACO.

No. 6 Winfield-Mt. Union (9-1) 72, Hillcrest Academy (8-3) 35

Winfield-Mt. Union just keeps winning. The Wolves grabbed win number nine on Tuesday with a victory over Hillcrest Academy. The win keeps the Wolves firmly on top of the Southeast Iowa Super Conference North standings at 8-0, 9-1 overall.

The Wolves led the Ravens by just five after the first frame, 16-11, but really did damage through the second and third quarter. The Wolves went on to outscore the Ravens 23-5 over the next eight minutes, extending their lead at the half to 39-16.

WMU continued to tack it on, topping Hillcrest 14-7 in the third and closing it out with a 19-12 run through the fourth.

Abram Edwards led the Wolves with 20 points and six rebounds. Carter Loyd had 15 and Cam Buffington followed with 12 points and six assists. Cole Milks had 11.

For the Ravens, Mason Helmuth scored a team-high 10. Hillcrest is now 5-3 in conference, 8-3 on the season.

Columbus (2-7) 55, Highland (1-8) 47

Columbus picked up its second win of the season on Tuesday night in a victory over Highland.

It was anyone’s contest through three quarters of action, but a big final frame by the Wildcats made all the difference.

Highland led by one after one, 10-9, but Columbus answered back with a 17-12 run through the second to take a lead of their own 26-22 at the break. The game shifted once again after the eight minute third period as Highland took a lead once again.

The Huskies edged the Wildcats 18-13 in the third to take yet another one point advantage 40-39. However, the fourth belong to Columbus. The Wildcats won the fourth 16-7 to close out the win.

Tim Hills-Carrier finished with a double double for Columbus, scoring 26 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. Juan Chairez ended with 13 points and Elliot Wessley finished with six.

For Highland, Bryce Hazelett ended with 13 points. Nicolas Oriano finished with 12 and Ayden Havel ended with eight.

Columbus improves to 2-7 on the season and Highland drops to 1-8.

WACO (6-3) 63, Louisa-Muscatine (4-7) 61

WACO and Louisa-Muscatine needed overtime to decide a winner on Tuesday night.

The Warriors dominated the first half, but the Falcons bounced back in the final two quarters of regulation to force overtime.

WACO led 35-23 at the break after taking the opening frame 21-11, followed by a 14-12 second.

Louisa-Muscatine came alive offensively and defensively between the third and fourth quarters. The Falcons outscored the Warriors 32-20 to knot the game at 55-55 by the final buzzer.

In OT, either squad could have very well won the game, but the Warriors walked away winner after a two point spread, 8-6.

WACO improves to 6-3 on the season and currently holds the second spot in the SEISC North at 6-1.