Girls basketball roundup: WMU keeps winning

Union area small school girls basketball was back in action on Tuesday night with area teams picking up a plethora of wins here in the early stages of the season.

Van Buren County (1-0), New London (0-5)

Van Buren led New London 11-2 after one quarter of play on Tuesday night. At the half, the Warriors led the Tigers 14-7.

In the second, Van Buren really turned it on, outscoring New London 15-6 in the third to take a 29-13 lead into the final quarter.

The Tigers won the fourth 17-15, but the deficit was too great.

Winfield-Mt. Union (4-0) 68, Louisa-Muscatine (1-2) 21

WMU just keeps winning as they dominated the Falcons on Tuesday.

The Wolves scored 31 in the first quarter alone, while holding the Falcons to just nine points.

At the half, WMU led 47-18. In the third, the Wolves held the Falcons to just one point, taking a 60-19 advantage into the fourth.

Melina Oepping paced the Wolves with 19 points and nine rebounds. Bradie Buffington followed with 12 points and five boards. Keely Malone finished with 11 points, four rebounds and six assists.

Highland (2-1) 51, Hillcrest Academy (0-3) 24

Highland grabbed its second win of the season on Tuesday against Hillcrest Academy.

Highland won the first 22-7, the second 12-3, and the third 9-3. The Raven would win the fourth 11-8, but the Huskies lead was too great.

Sarah Burton led Highland with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Jessica Kraus followed with 12 points and seven rebounds.

Keota (1-3) 46, Belle Plaine (0-2) 17

Keota had no problem with Belle Plaine on Tuesday to pick up its first win of the season.

The Eagles scored 32 points in the first half while holding the Plainsmen to just eight. Keota won the second half 14-9.

Lone Tree (3-2) 32, Columbus (2-1) 31

Columbus suffered its first loss of the season on Tuesday night to Lone Tree.

The Lions led 6-4 after one, but Columbus bounced back with a 10-5 second quarter to hold a 14-11 halftime lead.

The Wildcats added to their in the third with a 7-5 quarter, but the Lions ended with a 16-10 fourth to win it.

Ariana Vergara finished with nine points, five rebounds and two assists for Columbus. Victoria Howell followed with eight points and three rebounds. Sara Vela added five points.

Benton (2-1) 66, Mid-Prairie (1-1) 43

Mid-Prairie struggled against Benton on Tuesday night.

The Golden Hawks trailed 15-7 after one. Mid-Prairie won the second 16-14 and trail just 29-23 at the half. Benton put together its best quarter in the third, outscoring Mid-Prairie 22-10. The Bobcats would go on to win the fourth 15-10.

Amara Jones led the Golden Hawks with 13 points. Landry Pacha added 10 points and six rebounds. Kylie Reinier added nine points and eight rebounds. Maya Nonnenmann added six.

Wapello (2-1) 49, Pekin (0-4) 32

Pekin had a tough go with Wapello on Tuesday night.

The Arrows led 14-6, 34-15 and 43-19 after three quarter. Pekin would win the fourth 13-6, but

the Panthers couldn’t complete the comeback.