Girls’ basketball roundup: WACO wins first North game

It was the first full day of basketball for the area’s girls teams as the season fired up right before Thanksgiving break. The Southeast Iowa Super Conference North Division owned the day, with the first day of conference play.

WACO 62, Pekin 26

WACO’s return to the Southeast Iowa Super Conference’s North Division came with a dominant win over the Panthers.

WACO led 16-10 after one quarter and 30-15 at halftime. The Panthers’ offense stalled in the second half, scoring just 11 points.

Ellah Kissell scored 22 points to lead the Warriors. Grace Coble had 14 points, and Katie Leichty scored 11.

It was the first win for WACO over Pekin in girls basketball since at least 2006. All 15 previous matchups recorded by Iowa’s gobound.com website went to Pekin.

Columbus 54, Hillcrest Academy 31

In another matchup of Union area teams, Columbus pulled past Hillcrest in the second half. The Ravens were within two points, trailing 20-18 at halftime, but the Wildcats turned it on in the next two quarters.

Victoria Howell and Ariana Vergara scored 12 points each for Columbus. Frannie Sosa finished with 11.

Winfield-Mount Union 70, Lone Tree 29

It was another dominant performance by WMU, which used a 25-4 first quarter to wipe out Lone Tree.

The Wolves have started the season 3-0 with an average winning margin of 32 points per game.

Calamus-Wheatland 60, New London 21

It was a rough one for the Tigers as New London fell to 0-3 to start the season.