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The first live action for the WACO Warrior boys and girls basketball teams will be Friday when they welcome Wapello to Bob Hilmer Court for a set of Hall of Pride games. The WACO boys closed out an undefeated regular season last year, winning the Southeast Iowa Superconference South with a 16-0 mark. They ended the year with a 22-1 overall record falling to New London in tournament play. The Warriors lost eight seniors to graduation including their top six scorers with Nik Coble at 15 points per game along with Pietro Vannini, Drew Kissell, Gabe Reichenbach, Braden Hammond, and Elijah McGohan. Top returner is Will Edeker from a year ago at a point and a half per game. WACO also lost their top six rebounders and top six in assists from last season.

The Wapello boys were 9-12 overall last year, 8-8 in the Superconference North division. They return their top three scorers led by Maddox Griffin who scored 16 points per game as a sophomore. The Indians top three rebounders and top two in assists, both led by Griffin return this year. These two teams met a season ago with WACO taking a 53-38 win.

The WACO girls were 5-17 overall a season ago, 3-13 in the Superconference South division. The Warriors return their top two scorers from last year, led by Morgan Graber who put up 10 points per game her junior season. Graber is also back as WACO’s leader on the glass at seven boards per game, Ellah Kissell returns as the leader in assists at two per contest a season ago.

Wapello was 15-6 a year ago, finishing second in the Superconference North with a 12-3 mark in conference play. The Arrows lost their top two scorers from last season to graduation in Eryka Dickey and Holly Massner. Sammy Ewart returns after eight points per game a year ago to lead the team. Dickey was also the team’s leading rebounder with Massner the team leader in assists last season. These teams met last year with Wapello taking a 57-26 win.

These contests are treated as a scrimmage and do not count toward either team’s record. Action starts with JV games at 4:30 Friday night at WACO High School. Those attending will need to follow guidelines put in place by the district and the new proclamation regarding spectators issued by Governor Kim Reynolds. The games will be live streamed via a link on the WACO School District activities calendar online.