Photo Courtesy of Hudl

On Thursday, the WACO Warriors made sure there will be a new boys class 1A state basketball champion this spring as they ousted the defending champ Montezuma Braves from the district playoffs 46-42. The Braves had the upper hand early in Wayland, starting the game on a 7-0 run and holding a 7-2 lead after the first frame. The Warriors won the second period 16-13, but found themselves down 20-18 going to the half. Montezuma extended their lead after the break, closing the third on a 12-4 run to take a 35-27 advantage into the final eight minutes. At the seven minute mark of the game, the Warriors found themselves facing their largest deficit of the night, 38-29, then WACO turned the tide. The Warriors sent Bob Hilmer Court into a frenzy, scoring 13 points in a row to take their first lead of the night with four minutes left. The Warrior defense made that lead stand up down the stretch as WACO went 11 of 16 at the free throw line on the night to help put the game away. Simeon Reichenbach led the way for the Warriors with 20 points, 15 of those after halftime. Hunter Hughes also got to double figures with 10 points.

WACO is now 19-4 on the season and will play No. 8 New London for the class 1A District 10 Championship at Mediapolis Tuesday. The Tigers were a 78-52 winner over Iowa Valley Thursday. Montezuma wraps up their season at 18-5. The Tigers and Warriors split their two meetings during the regular season with each winning on the other’s home floor.