It was a furious Keota comeback, but too much WACO in the end in a class 1A district quarterfinal on Monday when the host Warrior boys’ basketball team held off the Eagles 65-46.

The Warriors got the start they were looking for by pounding the rock inside for a 20-8 lead after one. The Eagle defense started to crank it up in the second holding the Warriors to five second quarter points and only trailed 25-20 at intermission. A quick flurry right out of break tied it at 27-27, but a 19-7 WACO close to the quarter got the lead back out to a dozen. A 19-12 final frame put the clamps on the Warrior postseason victory. Colton Leichty led the blue and white with 13 points, Simeon Reichenbach had 11, and Reece Oswald was also in double figures with 10. Sawyer Stout knocked down 18 points for the Eagles and Cole Kindred added 13. 

Keota closes the year 11-12 and they bid farewell to three seniors in AJ Sheets, Colten Clarahan, and Grant Garman. WACO improves to 18-4 and they will advance to host Montezuma (18-4) in the district semifinal Thursday. The Braves were a 63-46 victor over Pekin last night.