The WACO Warriors will put their boys’ basketball season on the line tonight when they travel to face Burlington Notre Dame in the second round of the Class 1A Substate 5 playoffs. WACO started the postseason by defeating Pekin 57-42, thanks largely to senior Colton Leichty’s huge night that included a career-high 26 points, eight rebounds and four steals.

While Leichty was the hero Monday and has been a star all season by averaging almost 14 points and eight rebounds per game, the Warriors have plenty of depth around him. Fellow senior Hunter Hughes is the team’s leading scorer and has put up almost 16 points, seven rebounds, four-and-a-half assists and three-and-a-hal steals a game.

Senior Chase Waterhouse has also been a force in the low post, posting nearly 11.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest. While WACO is 18-5 and has won nine of their last 10 games, they will be taking on a Burlington Notre Dame squad that is 15-6 and has come out on top in six of their last seven.

The Warriors have won back-to-back and four of their last six meetings with the Nikes. Tip-off between WACO and Burlington Notre Dame in the Class 1A District 9 semifinals is this evening at 7.