WACO boys wrangle Wildcats

COLUMBUS JUNCTION — The WACO boys basketball team picked up a Southeast Iowa Super Conference road win at Columbus on Tuesday night. The Warriors pulled away in the second half to win 72-55.

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"Our kids are pretty resilient," said WACO head coach Chayse Roth. "We hung in there and made some shots, and that really picked up our defense."

The Warriors led just 14-13 after one quarter and 34-23 at halftime, but buckled down in the second half, using tough defense and fast break offense to put up 38 second half points.

"Give credit to (Columbus)," said Roth. "They were short handed, and they came out here and played their tails off, and made us work for it."

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The Warriors picked up a couple of huge games from guards Isaac Rich and Christian Stacy. Rich scored 19 points to lead the team, and Stacy finished with 18 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists.

After the game, Rich gave credit to the defensive side of the ball for helping the Warriors stave off a potential upset.

"I think it came on the defensive end," said Rich. "They're really good shooters, and anyone can go up at any time."

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Holden Hughes added 15 points for WACO. Isaac Egli finished with nine. Hayden Shelman had five, and the trio of Kellen Shelman, Niles Reichenbach and Sam Meyer all scored two.

Ryan Coil had a big night for Columbus, putting up 20 points. Gabriel Zuniga scored 13. Drake Marin finished with 10. Ellis Hills-Carrier added nine. Drew Totemeier finished with two, and Cael Howell added one.

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WACO moved to 14-4 overall and 12-2 in conference play with the win. Columbus is now 6-12 overall and 4-10 in the league.

Other Friday boys scores

Hillcrest Academy 76, Louisa-Muscatine 48

Pekinn 65, Highland 18

Winfield-Mount Union 65, Wapello 34

Central Lee 79, Van Buren County 72

Danville 68, New London 46

Wilton 85, Mid-Prairie 82

Albia 76, Cardinal 25