The Aplington-Parkersburg girls and boys basketball teams both extended their win streaks to four straight games at Columbus Catholic in NICL-Central openers on Tuesday. The girls won 55-14 and the boys won 59-52, as aired on 99 The Wave.
In the girls game, the Falcons with full court pressure and timely double teams pulled out to a 18-6 lead after the first quarter. The Falcons added to their lead and held the Sailors to another low scoring quarter for a 29-12 lead at the half. The Falcons closed the game out on a 26-2 scoring run as the Sailors turned frigid shooting from the field in the second half, scoring only two points with a single point in the third and fourth on free throws.
Head Coach Brady Driscol on the Falcons execution of complimentary basketball.
“I thought it was a very good second half for us, the first half was a little disappointing. I think the girls were a little disappointed in that one too. I think we had probably 11 turnovers and probably too many offensive rebounds. We keyed in on two of their kids and they had most of their points that first half,” says Driscol. “In the second half, we came out a lot more intense, I think. We did a better job with taking care of the ball. I think they only scored two points in that second half too. That was a good defensive effort for us. Our defense leads to our offense, those two things go hand in hand for us.
Kolbie Wangsness had 18 points and Ava Eddy added nine points to lead the Falcons.
In the boys game, Columbus had the upper hand following a low scoring first quarter with a 12-4 lead. The Falcons increased on-ball pressure and rallied quickly in the second quarter with a 23-8 scoring run to take a 27-20 lead at the half. The Sailors began the third quarter with a 10-0 run to take the lead, the Falcons tied the game at 31-31 and took a slight advantage at 39-37 heading the fourth. A-P got the rim and hit some clutch threes in the fourth to maintain the lead and protect their perfect record.
Head Coach Aaron Thomas on playing with better energy and the grit of team in win.
“We got to come out of the gates better to start the game. We only scored four points in the first quarter and then after halftime they started on a 10-0 run. We talked to our guys, we got to come out with much more energy. I liked our grittiness. We found a way to win as a team. A lot to learn from, a lot to correct,” says Thomas. “We weren’t as sharp offensively tonight. I thought our effort was good. I thought we battled on the glass. We made enough plays late, enough shots late. We were able to get the win. This group, we’re young, pretty inexperienced. We just got to keep growing, keep getting better. We’re 4-0, so we’re right where we want to be. We just got to continue to work.”
Three Falcons finished in double figures behind Benny Waller with 19 points, Tyler Wedeking with 16 points including four triples and Caleb Campbell ended the night with 12 points.
The A-P girls (4-1, 1-0 NICL-Central) and the A-P boys (4-0, 1-0 NICL-Central) will both return to action at Hudson on Friday.
