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Washington Evening Journal
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Coil, Columbus cool off Highland
Wildcats topple No. 9 Highland in marquee SEISC North matchup
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
COLUMBUS — The Southeast Iowa Super Conference North Division lead hung in the balance on Tuesday night when ninth-ranked (1A) Highland visited for a matchup of conference unbeatens.
The two teams traded blows all night long, but in the end, it was the hosting Wildcats who got out victorious, beating rival Highland 53-46.
“Some mental toughness was needed, and we have it,” said Columbus head coach Kasey Keltner. “We have some kids that have experience, and have played a lot.”
One of those kids was senior Lily Coil, who broke the Wildcats’ school three-point record in the win. Coil hit seven 3-pointers en route to a 34-point night, which helped Columbus knock off the No. 9 Huskies and stay unbeaten in North Division play.
“I guess I just had that confidence in myself,” Coil said. “I just took deep breaths every time and kept myself calm.”
Coil and the Wildcats had to battle back from an early seven-point deficit. Highland led 14-7 after one quarter, and the two teams were tied 24-24 at halftime.
Coil scored 18 of her 34 points in the first half, and that sprked a Wildcat team that would take a 36-31 lead after the third quarter and hang on down the stretch to stay atop the conference.
Isabel Rendon scored 13 points for the Wildcats in the win. Frannie Sosa and Ariana Vergara put up four and two points respectively.
Highland’s freshman star Kamryn Fink still went for 11 points and 23 rebounds in the loss. Katelyn Thomann finished with 11 points. Emersyn Schultz had nine points on three made 3-pointers. Katie Herrig scored eight. Mackenzie Davis had five, and Emily Herrig had two.
“We've just got to get tougher on defense,” said Highland head coach Jody Fink. “We gave her (Coil) step, and she took advantage of it. They deserved to win tonight.”
The win pushed Columbus to 5-1 overall and 4-0 in conference play. Highland is still tied for second, at 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the league. WACO and Pekin are the only two other teams with two wins.
OTHER AREA SCORES
WACO 41, Louisa-Muscatine 33
Hillcrest Academy 62, Winfield-Mount Union 56 (OT)
Van Buren County 46, West Burlington 41
Centerville 73, Cardinal 42
English Valleys 47, Keota 32
