Columbus cruises in first round

In the third quarter, the offense was nowhere to be found for the Columbus girls? basketball team.

The Wildcats only found five points in that quarter, but their defense stayed strong during those eight minutes. That, and already having a 19-point lead, certainly helped on Saturday night.

Columbus jumped on first-round tournament opponent West Burlington early and often in the first half in Columbus Junction, as they took a 65-42 victory to advance to Tuesday?s second round.

?I think we were nervous going in, with practice all week and then a Saturday game,? Columbus junior Laura Mincks said. ?Now we are ready to practice hard on Monday and play on Tuesday.?

Mincks scored nine points in the game, along with tying senior Kelsey Pretz for the team high with nine rebounds.

Pretz led the team with 18 points (16 of which came in the first half), but five different Wildcats put in at least six points in the game.

?It started a couple of years ago, where we always say, ?share the sugar,?? Pretz said. ?We are a team where we assist well, and we make baskets well and we have a lot of rebounders, so we really shared the sugar tonight.?

The Wildcats used a 12-0 run in the first quarter to jump out to a 15-5 lead after one quarter before Pretz took over the game in the second quarter.

After a quarter-opening bucket by West Burlington, Columbus went on a 13-2 run to end the half, with 10 of the Wildcats? points coming from Pretz.

In the third quarter, Columbus? offense sputtered, as the team was outscored by West Burlington 6-5, but the Wildcats turned things around in the fourth quarter to cruise to the victory.

?Sometimes we struggle in the half court offensively,? Columbus head coach Kasey Keltner said. ?Sometimes we have to push the pace and try to get some transition game for us. That?s one of our strengths, I believe. We have lots of girls who can handle the basketball and if we can get turnovers and steals, that?s less half-court offense we have to do.?

The win sets up a date with West Branch on the road on Tuesday night, and Keltner said the key to winning will be sticking to what they do best.

?The key for us is the same as it has been all year,? Keltner said. ?We need to be in a stance, strong, use ball fakes, get one and dones, and communicate. That?s something we?ve stressed all year, no matter who we play. If they do those things better than us, they are probably going to win. I think it?s little details.?

Tuesday?s game will tip off at 7 p.m.