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Upset alert! Pekin knocks down WACO
Panthers push Warriors out of first place in wild SEISC North battle
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
PACKWOOD — In eight Southeast Iowa Super Conference North Division showdowns, the WACO boys basketball team hadn’t taken a loss, but that all came to an end on Tuesday night, when a hungry Pekin team was ready to hold home court.
The Panthers used an intense first-half rush to end the Warriors’ undefeated streak in the North Division, hanging on late for a 52-44 victory.
It was a significant win in the SEISC North standings, where WACO had been sitting alone in first, but now dips to one-half game behind Hillcrest Academy. It was also Pekin’s first win over WACO in nine years, snapping an eight-game losing streak in the series.
“It's a big win for our program, our current team, and me personally,” said Pekin coach John Swanson, who was celebrating his first win over the Warriors. “I'm really proud of the guys. We just came out and executed tonight.“
The Panthers couldn’t have started out more on fire. Pekin scored 18 points in each of the first two quarters and held WACO to just 12 in the half, using a stifling defensive effort to grab a 36-12 advantage before halftime.
“In that first half, we were not ready to match their energy,” said WACO head coach Chayse Roth. “They came out and put a lot of pressure on us, and we didn't handle it well.”
Pekin led 42-25 after three quarters, but the Warriors managed to make it interesting down the stretch. WACO had the game down to 48-44, with the ball, but couldn’t get it down to a one possession game, as Pekin’s defense held, and the Panthers iced the game with late free throws.
The Panthers were led by a 16-point effort from Nolan Glick. Will Adam had 14 points. Kasey Davis scored 11, 10 of which came in the first half. Cole Millikin finished with eight, and Alijah Brock had five.
“We had just been waiting for it,” said Glick after the win. “This is one of the big games on our list every season.”
WACO’s Christian Stacy scored 18 points in the loss, and also pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds and dished out five assists.
Isaac Rich scored nine points for the Warriors. Isaac Egli finished with eight. Joel Meyer scored four points. Hayden Shelman finished with three, and Holden Hughes scored two.
