The Columbus Wildcat boys and girls basketball teams take the floor against a foe from the Southeast Iowa Superconference South Division Monday when they entertain the Van Buren Warriors. The Columbus boys are 7-5 on the season, 6-5 in the Superconference after a 66-53 win over Highland last time out. The Wildcats score 57 points per game on 36% shooting, 30% from three and 60% at the line with 27 rebounds, nine assists, seven steals and 12 turnovers per game. Individually, Ellis Hills-Carrier is the team leader with 22 points, six rebounds and three assists per game. He and Drake Marin are the reigning KCII Area Athletes of the Week after breaking school records for single game scoring and three point shooting this year.
The Van Buren boys are 4-11 this season, 1-10 in the Superconference South. They were 68-31 winners over Davis County in their last game. The Warriors average 50 points per night on 36% shooting, 30% from three and 58% at the line with 22 rebounds, nine assists, five steals and 15 turnovers per game. Individually, Will Cocherell goes for 11 points and three assists per night to lead. Kinnick Millard averages five rebounds. Columbus head coach Jake Korbakes talked with KCII Sports following his team’s win over Highland about the keys to success for the ‘Cats. “We got guys playing confidently. Guys looking for the extra pass. It’s everything you could ask for. Pretty much the whole team can shoot the three, so we just have to be mindful of the kickouts when we can and when we have that advantage. Most wins in the past 18 years, we’re 7-5. We’ve reached the point we expected to. I’m most happy for my guys and they’re deserving of that.”
The Columbus girls are 5-8 this season, 5-7 in the Superconference North after a 54-30 loss to Highland. This year, the Wildcats average 42 points per game, shooting 26% from the floor, 21% from three and 50% at the line with 35 rebounds, 15 steals, 10 assists and 23 turnovers per game. Individually, Kennedy Woepking is the leader at 10 points and seven rebounds per night. Ellie Sanders is best with three steals and assists per game.
Van Buren is 8-6 overall this year according to recorded hudl.com scores. The Warriors score 47 points per game on 34% shooting, 24% from three and 55% at the line with 27 rebounds, 10 assists and steals and 17 turnovers per game. Individually, Adalyn Snowgren is best at 13 points and seven rebounds per night. Sophia Jirak is the leader with three assists and two steals per game. Columbus head coach Kasey Keltner talked with KCII Sports on the postgame show following their loss to Highland about the keys for his team moving forward. “We need to rebound well. That will help limit them to one possession and give us multiple looks, especially if we’re not shooting the ball well.”
You can hear all of the action between the Wildcats and Warriors live tonight on the KCII3 Stream and App, beginning with the Area Game of the Week Pregame Show at 5:30p.m., tip of the girls game at six with the boys to follow live from CJ.