The WACO Warriors picked up a boys’ basketball victory over the Pekin Panthers last night, 70-42. WACO jumped out to a 20-9 lead in the first quarter and pushed the advantage to 17 points by halftime. The Warriors never looked back, improving their overall record to 16-5 and finishing conference play with a mark of 14-2.

WACO also earned a 49-29 win in girls’ basketball Monday at New London. Despite trailing by a point in the opening period, the Warriors were able to take a 27-19 lead into halftime. But it was the 14-2 run to start the second half that would put the Tigers away.

Junior Ella Huisenga paced WACO in scoring with 16 points, while freshman Brenna Graber and senior Emma Wagler had 12 points each to raise the Warriors’ record to 12-9. WACO will now prepare to start the postseason Thursday night when they host Hillcrest Academy in the first round in Class 1A Region 8.