A pair of Columbus girls basketball players ranked in the top 10 of the Southeast Iowa Super Conference North in points scored last season. Seniors Shania Boyd and Bailey Stroud combined to score 637 points for the Wildcats last season. The duo returns this winter in hopes of improving on last year’s 9-15 record.

Boyd ranked four in the SEISC North last season in points scored, averaging 19.6 points per game. Stroud’s 13.6 points per game were the 10th most in the league. The pair said a focus of early season practice has been on team defense. The Wildcats allowed an average of 48.6 points per game last season. Columbus posted a 2-8 record in games where they allowed 50 or more points defensively.

The new season of Columbus girls basketball is set to tip off Tuesday at Wapello.