In a key all KCII Southeast Iowa Superconference basketball doubleheader Thursday, the WACO Warriors swept the Highland Huskies on the road. The girls game featured runs by both teams before a furious Warrior rally pushed them over the top against the No. 14 Huskies 64-59 in overtime. The early-going was a see-saw, the Huskies led 11-10 after one and the Warriors were on top at half 27-23. The third quarter belonged to the Huskies, who put together a 19-5 run that spanned the full eight minutes, and took a 42-32 lead into the fourth. The Highland advantage was still eight with just under a minute left when the WACO comeback began. Brenna Graber hit a pair of free throws to pull the Warriors within six with 30 seconds left, then hit a three to cut the deficit in half, then Ella Huisenga’s three with under 10 seconds left tied the game and forced OT. The Warriors controlled the extra session for the five point win, in total putting together an 11-3 run that decided the game. WACO head coach Lisa Graber joined the KCII postgame show to talk about the win.
Graber said, “I think we had good ball movement. We were getting multiple people involved. We had some nice cuts and finishes inside. We really hustled on the boards. It’s probably the best we have rebounded this season. If you can force turnovers and then capitalize on them it’s huge. Earlier in the year, we had challenges with having too many turnovers but the tables turned tonight. (Down the stretch) we kept our heads and played well together. This group has really good chemistry. They never quit competing. (Brenna Graber and Ella Huisenga) had the guts to shoot. Their feet were set and they were being offensive minded. They have a belief they could do it and they played hard!”
The Warriors won the glass by five and the turnover battle 30-23. Graber went for a game high 25 points, Huisenga finished with 18. Kamryn Fink had a monster 15 point 18 rebound double double to lead Highland, Hailey Brun put in 17 points and Katie Herrig 13. WACO is now 4-3 this year, 4-2 in conference, as Highland falls to 6-2 on the season, 4-2 in the Superconference.
The boys game was a 67-43 WACO win. The Warriors started fast and finished strong. It was 16-7 WACO after one quarter and 34-17 Warriors at the half. Highland got back in the game with an 8-0 run in the third, to cut the lead back to single digits but the Warriors closed on a 17-4 run for the victory. Warrior of the game Isaac Rich joined the KCII Postgame Show live to talk about the win.
Rich said, “Coming into this game I think we really needed to focus on improving our press. In the fourth quarter, we really ramped it up. We turn that into points on the offensive end. It feels good to (start the game on a run), get everyone fired up. Get out hard and finish it out. Drive, swing to anybody and you know they are going to make the shot. We work on that in practice a lot, pass, pass, pass, shot make. It’s awesome to see!”
WACO won the turnover battle 25-10, finishing with 22 assists and 17 steals. The Huskies won the glass 34-33. Individually, Christian Stacy had a game high 16 points for WACO, Isaac Egli 13, Clayton Miller 12 and Isaac Rich 11. Louis Horak’s double double led Highland with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The win sends the Warriors to break on top of the Superconference at 5-0, 5-1 overall, while Highland stands at 1-4 on the year.