Photo Courtesy of Columbus Community School District Social Media

The Columbus Wildcat boys and girls basketball teams split a Southeast Iowa Superconference doubleheader at Wapello before Christmas. The Arrows got the girls win 48-40. The Wildcats were on top 13-9 after the first, but the Arrows made their move in the second with a 12-4 run that lasted the entire period to take a 21-17 lead into half. The third belonged to the Wildcats with a 15-9 advantage to go up 32-30 into the fourth. The final period featured another Arrow run, this time 18-8 to finish the see-saw win. The Arrows out shot the Wildcats 40-31%, and won assists 11-9. Columbus won rebounds 26-25, steals 16-11 and turnovers 23-20. Macey Kuntz led Wapello with 18 points, Jakayla Nelson had 15 points and eight rebounds, Taeya Wagner seven assists. Ellie Sanders was best for Columbus with 16 points and nine boards. Kennedy Woepking had 14 points. Isabel Rendon four assists. Wapello improved to 5-3 after the win, Columbus fell to 3-5.

The boys game featured an all-time performance for the Wildcats in a 71-53 win. Wapello led 16-11 after one, but Columbus took the lead with 18-7 second quarter run at 29-23 at half. The Wildcats won the second half 42-30. Ellis Hills-Carrier burned the Indians for a career high 44 points in victory. Columbus reaches Christmas with a 4-3 record while Wapello stands at 2-5.