The Winfield-Mount Union Wolves and Sigourney Savages started the boys’ basketball playoffs with first-round victories last night. Winfield-Mount Union defeated Pekin 51-36 in Class 1A Substate 4, using a 14-4 run to end the first half up 29-11 and maintaining a double-digit advantage the rest of the way. The win means the Wolves improve to 14-9.

Sigourney beat HLV 56-41 in Substate 5. An 11th win in the last 13 games raises the Savages’ record to 16-6. While Sigourney now moves on to face Montezuma in the 1A District 9 semifinals Thursday evening, Winfield-Mount Union will travel to take on Burlington Notre Dame that same night in District 8.