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Washington Evening Journal
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Columbus survives WACO comeback effort
Wildcats win home thriller
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
COLUMBUS JUNCTION — Kennedy Woepking kept the words of support from her teammates in mind as she stepped onto the lonely island of the free-throw line. The Columbus senior was suddenly in control of her team’s fate, as the Wildcats attempted to fend off a comeback by WACO on Friday and were down three points with 16.7 seconds left.
Woepking, playing her first season of basketball since her freshman year, was up to the task. She calmly sank two free throws to make it a one-point WACO lead. She then stole the ensuing inbound pass and made two more after being fouled, putting Columbus up 43-42.
WACO had a chance to win it with the final possession, but missed two looks at the rim to fall just short of its second win of the season. Columbus, which took part in Parent’s Night after the game, was able to enjoy the occasion after a hard fought victory.
“At the beginning of the season, in that moment, we would have lost,” Woepking said. “We were not ready for that moment in the beginning of the season and we’ve really grown together so we could pull that one out.”
The late free throws and defense were far from Woepking’s only contributions. She led all scorers with 19 points, including eight of Columbus’ first 11 points of the second half, which helped give the Wildcats a 12-point lead with just under four minutes left in the third.
WACO refused to roll over on the road, however. The Warriors forced 24 Columbus turnovers and outscored the Wildcats in the second and fourth quarters. WACO rattled off five quick points from a pair of turnovers to trim its deficit to three points with 4:53 to play.
“That fourth quarter the girls played for each other,” WACO coach Mitchell Drey said. “They went the extra step, they went the extra mile. Even if they didn’t get the steal, they were effecting that pass, they were effecting that thing. We were able to get the steals, get some easy looks and then finish.”
Brenna Graber led the way for WACO with 14 points, along with five rebounds and six steals. Drew Graber scored nine was a steady presence on the glass with 11 boards in a narrow rebounding battle that WACO won 40-39.
WACO’s Achilles' heel came at the free-throw line. The Warriors shot 36 free throws, but made just 10, failing to take advantage of Columbus frequently sending them to the line. The Wildcats went 8 of 18 on free throws.
Columbus also crucially prevented the ball from getting into the hands of Brenna Graber on the final possession. She was face guarded the entire way up the court, and shot attempts by Carlee Lunsford and Drew Graber were off the mark.
“It sucks to have a game end that way, but we put ourselves in that spot where we had to fight out way back into it,” Drey said. “If we start the game how we finished the game, I think it’s a much different game.”
Columbus coach Kasey Keltner shared a similar sentiment. His message in the locker room included the goal of improving in the second and fourth quarters to secure a more comfortable win and play a complete game.
When it comes to crunch time however, Keltner trusts his side to rise to the occasion and a multitude of contributors to step up on both ends. Woepking paired 10 rebounds with her scoring. Iris Garza also had a double-double with 10 points and 12 boards. Ellie Sanders finished with nine points, two rebounds and three steals.
“Give WACO credit,” Keltner said. “They didn’t quit. They kept fighting and they made plays and I just think our kids believed and we’ve been in that situation before so I think that helped us.”
Columbus (4-5, 4-4 Southeast Iowa Super Conference North) continues league play against Louisa-Muscatine on Tuesday. The Falcons beat the Wildcats 62-48 in Columbus’ season opener.
WACO was able to internalize the defeat and flip it into a 56-41 win over Winfield-Mt. Union on Saturday. The Warriors improved to 2-6 and will next face Wapello away from home Tuesday.
