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Wildcats downed in SEISC girls shootout
Columbus outrun by Danville in showdown of 2nd-place teams
BURLINGTON — The Union area had one representative in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference girls Top-4 at Southeastern Community College on Saturday night. Columbus played Danville in a matchup of No. 2 teams.
Danville, the second-place team in the SEISC South knocked off Columbus, the second-place team in the North by the score of 60-18 to notch a victory for the south side.
The Bears used an aggressive full court pressure defense and turned the Wildcats over 30 times in the win. Danville ended the night with 25 total steals.
“It's not something we can simulate at all in practice,” said Columbus head coach Kasey Keltner. “Unfortunately, we haven't had a lot of pressure this year against us, but hats off to them.”
The Wildcats knocked down a couple of outside shots early on and turned an early 8-0 Danville lead into a one-possession game, but the Bears closed the first quarter out strong and led 22-10 after one period. Daville’s advantage was 43-13 at halftime and 56-13 after three.
“We came out in the first quarter and showed we can play with people,” Keltner said. “But, you have to be able to prove for four quarters you can play with people.”
Aracely Garza and Isabel Rendon had five points apiece to lead the Wildcats. Rendon also finished with five rebounds.
Frannie Sosa and Madeie Howell scored three points apiece. Brittany Garcia finished with two.
Columbus fell to 14-6 overall on the season with the loss. This was the first appearance for the Wildcats on championship night, which pairs up the Top-4 teams in the SEISC standings on both the boys’ and girls’ side.
“They've come so far,” said Keltner. “This is the first time a boys or girls’ team has qualified for this thing. I'm very proud of our kids, because they've worked hard, and they've earned this.”
