Entering the postseason, the WACO Warrior girls’ basketball team (14-7 overall; SEISC North) has already achieved one of the greatest seasons in school history. With a record of 14 wins and seven losses, this is just the second winning season for the Warriors dating back to the 2007-08 season. Prior to this season, the Warrior girls’ basketball team averaged just under eight wins (7.9) the previous seven seasons.

A factor in the Warriors’ successful season has been the experience and chemistry they have on the floor. The starting five for head coach Shannon Rugg consists of five seniors who have played basketball together since they were in the fourth grade; including Jennie Green, Jalyssa Jepson, Erika Leichty, Gaby Wagler, and Aaliyah Brown. The quintet has started 19 of the Warriors’ 21 regular season games this season. Brown is the leading scorer of the group, averaging 12.4 points per game.

WACO opens up Class 1A-Region 6 tournament play this evening at Bob Hilmer Court in Wayland against the Tri-County Thornburg Trojans (2-18 overall) of the South Iowa Cedar League (SICL). The season has been a struggle for the Trojan girls’ basketball, winning just two of their 20 regular season games this season. A factor in the Trojans struggles has been their inefficiency at the free throw line. Tri-County is last in the SICL in free throw percentage (45.2%), making 118 of 261 free throw attempts this season. Sophomore Michaela Lundy leads the Trojans in scoring, averaging 10 points per game.

Tonight’s district game between WACO and Tri County is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. from Bob Hilmer Court in Wayland. The winner advances to face the winner of the Keota/Iowa Mennonite School district clash on Tuesday (2/17) in Keota.