Wittrock versus Manning

KEOSAUQUA - It was a Super Conference girls basketball battle between individuals Sophie Wittrock and Isabelle Manning but Wittrock's Panther teammates were the difference in Thursday's 63-42 win by Pekin of the North and South tenant Van Buren County.

Manning had a game high of 29 points (seven twos, two threes, 9-of-10 free throws) and her Warrior teammates combined for 14.

While Wittrock had a team high of 24 points, she also accounted for at least 12 more points with her six assists and took points away from VBC with her four steals. Teammates Erika Coleman and Sarah Eubanks contributed 13 points each while the Panthers' leading scorer this season, Kerrigan Pope, had nine. Coleman and Pope combined for 17 rebounds.

Pekin took a 3-0 lead and continued with the advantage, doubling its lead by the end of each quarter but the last. It went from 20-17 to 33-27 to 46-34.

Since a ranking of No. 15 in Class 2A Jan. 28, VBC's record has gone from 12-3 to 14-6.

VBC hosts 5-14 Cardinal or 8-6 Louisa-Muscatine Tuesday while Pekin is 10-9 and plays at Pella Christian 8-13.