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Washington Evening Journal
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No. 3 WMU passes WACO test
Wolves survive Warriors’ challenge in Winfield
WINFIELD — There was a lot on the line for the No. 3 (1A) Winfield-Mount Union on Thursday night, as rival WACO came to town for a marquee matchup in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference North Division.
The Wolves past perhaps their biggest test of the season as the second-place Warriors took their shot at first place in the conference, but WMU staved off a late WACO rush to win 64-56.
WACO started the game off on a 5-0 run, but soon, WMU would find its groove and the Wolves took a 9-7 lead into the second quarter. The inside attack of the Wolves and some stout defense helped the team get out to a 22-12 halftime advantage.
“We feel like our bigs are some of the most athletic guys around,” said WMU head coach Klay Edwards. “Same with the WACO kids. We're not going to face much size like they have, especially in 1A basketball.”
The Wolves got a big third quarter boost from Gabriel Hemsworth, who scored eight quick points in the third quarter to put WMU in control.
“That was huge,” Edwards said. “The kid is super bouncy. Whenever he provides that spark, he's huge for us.”
WACO didn’t go away easily. After being down 18 points, at 43-25, when the third quarter sounded, the Warriors buckled down and cut the lead all the way down to two possessions late in the fourth.
Unfortunately for the visiting Warriors, WMU hung on till the final horn, and the Wolves now have a stranglehold on the SEISC North lead.
“One of our focuses was rebounding, and that was the difference in the first half,” said WACO head coach Paul Kissell. “They did a nice job, and we got in foul trouble. Hats off to them, especially Gabe Hemsworth who stepped up.”
Cam Buffington led the Wolves with 23 points and 11 rebounds in eh win. Hemsworth finished with 12 points. Abram Edwards had 11 points, 14 rebounds and six assists. Jake Edwards put up 11 points, and Carter Loyd scored seven.
Hunter Hughes finished the night with 17 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals for the Warriors. Colton Leichty had 13 points and three steals. Isaac Rich scored eight points. Reece Oswald had seven, and Clayton Miller finished with one.
After the rest of the weekend games, WMU now stands tall at 14-1 overall and 13-0 in the North Division. The Wolves clinched a share of the conference title with a 76-12 win over Columbus on Friday night.
WACO is currently hanging in at second place in the North. The Warriors are 11-4 overall and 11-2 in conference play.
