WMU takes North lead into 2024

Last year’s Southeast Iowa Super Conference North Division boys basketball championship came down to a couple of rival schools. WACO beat Winfield-Mount Union twice in the regular season to take home the crown.

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This winter is shaping up to be quite similar. With almost half of the conference slate done, it’s WMU in first place and WACO in second heading into January.

The Wolves are 7-0 atop the North standings. The Wolves have won every conference game by double digits, including a 46-30 win at WACO on Dec. 5.

The Wolves were one of the last two unbeaten teams in the North on Dec. 9 when Hillcrest Academy came into town. WMU handed the Ravens their first conference loss, 63-35.

WACO, now 5-1, has dominated every North game besides the loss to the Wolves. The Warriors have beaten every other division opponent by at least 20 points, including Hillcrest, Highland and Columbus.

Pekin and Hillcrest Academy sit third and fourth in the conference. The Panthers are 6-2 in league play, while the Ravens are 5-2.

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Hillcrest and Pekin battled in Packwood on Dec. 12. The Ravens used a 23-13 first quarter to beat the Panthers 61-52.

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Columbus and Highland currently bring up the bottom of the division standings. The Wildcats sit 1-5 and the Huskies are 0-7.

Columbus’ one win this year came at Wapello. The Wildcats beat the Indians 60-47.

Columbus and Highland will meet up on Jan. 2 for their first showdown against one another.

SEISC NORTH BOYS’ BASKETBALL STANDINGS

1. Winfield-Mount Union 7-0

2. WACO 5-1

3. Pekin 6-2

4. Hillcrest Academy 5-2

5. Louisa-Muscatine 3-3

6. Lone Tree 2-5

7. Columbus 1-5

7. Wapello 1-5

9. Highland 0-7

LEADING SCORERS

1. Ty Northup (11), Louisa-Muscatine 20.9

2. Hunter Hughes (12), Waco 19.0

3. Jackson Lanz (12), Wapello 17.8

4. Seth Ours (11), Hillcrest Academy 17.2

5. Cam Buffington (12), Winfield-Mount Union 17.0