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Lady Wolves KO Keota
WMU girls turn it on in the 3rd, take regional opener
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KEOTA — Winfield-Mount Union traveled to Keota in a key Union area regional girls basketball match up on Thursday night. The Wolves survived early foul trouble and the Eagles’ home court advantage, knocking Keota off the Class 1A Region 7 bracket 61-51.
The Wolves started fast, leading 16-12 after the first quarter, but Keota closed the second quarter strong to lead 28-26 at the break.
The Wolves, rejuvenated from some first half foul trouble, dominated the third quarter, especially on the boards. WMU scored 23 points in the third and took a 51-39 lead into the final period.
“We knew we had to come back out strong, and that's exactly what we did,” said WMU head coach Mendy McCreight. “We talked about the things we needed to do to improve, and we went out there and really took it to them in the third quarter.”
The Wolves faced some big time adversity in the fourth period when senior post Josie Nelson went down with a leg injury, leaving the game with 13 points, but the Wolves never the Eagles get back into the lead.
The final nail in the coffin came in the last few minutes when WMU junior Madisen Kellogg nailed a 3-pointer at the top of the key to stretch what was just a six-point lead to nine.
“It felt really good, and it shows that I've improved,” Kellogg said. “With a senior getting hurt tonight, somebody had to step up.”
Kellogg finished with 22 points and 10 rebounds in the win. Freshman Kynlee Buffington filled up the stat sheet with 22 points of her own, 18 rebounds and three blocked shots, all after sitting most of the second quarter with two fouls.
“I was ready to get back in,” Buffington said. “I knew I couldn't get fouls, but I was ready to get back in.”
Nelson finished with 13 points and eight rebounds, along with a team-leading four steals. Lilly Heckethorn scored two points, and both Suttyn Schlee and Kellee Milks finished with one.
Emily Conger had a big night for Keota, scoring 19 points to lead the way. In her final high school game, Kimberly Clarahan showed out with 18 points, seven rebounds and four assists.
Cameron Haifley finished the night with eight points for the Eagles. Grace Conger, Elyse Lyle and Brynn Conrad all finished with two.
Despite the first round loss, Keota ended the year with an 11-11 record, the Eagles’ best mark in a decade.
WMU (6-16) will travel to top-seed Springville (17-4) in the regional quarterfinals on Tuesday night.
Highland 48, Wapello 29
The Huskies beat the Arrows in another Class 1A Region 7 clash.
Kamryn Fink led the way with 25 points and 13 rebounds for the Huskies. Hailey Brun went for 14 points and seven rebounds. Emersyn Schultz finished with eight points, 11 rebounds and five steals.
Hillcrest Academy 47, New London 44
The Ravens outlasted the Tigers in a Class 1A Region 7 nail-biter, capitalizing on a 30-point night for Claire Withrow. Withrow hit seven 3-pointers in the victory.
WACO 45, Notre Dame 30
Brenna Graber scored 16 points and Ella Huisenga had 13 as the Warriors knocked the Nikes out of the Class 1A Region 7 tournament.
Pekin 43, Cardinal 41 (OT)
In the Class 2A Region 1 tournament, Pekin came back from a 20-12 halftime deficit to beat Cardinal in overtime, winning a low-scoring extra period 4-2.
Renae Eubanks scored 11 points for the Comets in the win. Abby Guise went off for 10 points and 18 rebounds.
