Four games, three victories for Wildcats

Boys basketball

   A recent busy stretch of four games in eight days produced three wins and a loss for the Maquoketa Valley boys basketball team

   The Wildcats (6-4, 10-5) scored a big home victory over East Buchanan Jan. 13, by a score of 48-33, thanks largely to a 21-8 third quarter edge that opened a 34-19 lead. Avery Holtz led the way with 21 points and six steals. Kody Hoeger added nine points, Lance McShane had eight points and eight rebounds. Brady Wall scored five points.

   In another home game, this one Jan. 16 against Alburnett, MV lost 71-30. The visiting Pirates pulled away with a 35-15 second half. For the Wildcats, McShane had 13 points and nine rebounds. Holtz had 10 points, and Treyton Cook added eight.

   On Jan. 19, the Wildcats played host to Midland of Wyoming, and gained a 71-48 victory. MV led by just five points after the third quarter, 47-42, but outscored the Eagles 24-6 in the final period. Three Wildcats scored in double figures; Holtz and Cook had 18 apiece, and McShane had a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Hoeger added nine points, and Toby Grimm had six points and five assists.

   The following day, the Wildcats traveled to Arlington to take on Starmont, and won 83-33 behind 29 points, 10 assists and five steals from Holtz. Cook added 13 points, and Hoeger had 12 points and six rebounds.

Girls basketball

   Maquoketa Valley won two out of three girls basketball games in recent action.

   At North Cedar Jan. 10, the Wildcats (5-5, 9-7) scored a 51-26 victory, taking the early advantage with a 27-11 first half. Grace Richter led MV with 15 points. Bianka Ronnebaum had 12 points and five assists. Ella Mensen had eight points and nine rebounds, and Leah Richter came off the bench to score seven points and grab 10 rebounds.

   MV was then handed a 43-40 home defeat against East Buchanan Jan. 13. Bianka Ronnebaum had 12 points and eight rebounds, while Richter had 10 points and six boards. Haley Ronnebaum had five points and four assists.

   Maquoketa Valley bounced back to score a 47-38 home victory over Alburnett, outscoring the Pirates 28-13 in the second half. Bianka Ronnebaum again led the way with 14 points, Kennedy Rausch had 12 points, and Haley Ronnebaum had nine points and eight rebounds. Macee Nolan and Reicher added four points apiece.

Wrestling

   Two tournaments occupied the Maquoketa Valley wrestling team in recent action.

   Maquoketa Valley placed sixth out of 13 teams at the MFL MarMac tournament Jan. 14 in Monona. Wapsie Valley won the event with 230.5 points; Anamosa was second with 178.5. MV scored 113.5. The Wildcats had three champions: Nathan Beitz at 195 pounds, Brady Davis at 220 and Aiden Salow at 285.

   On Jan. 21, the Wildcats competed in the John Byers Invitational at Midland of Wyoming, finishing eighth out of 17 teams with 92.5 points.

   MV had three finalists, two of whom were champions: Nathan Beitz at 195 pounds, and Aiden Salow at 285. Beitz had two falls and a decision win; Salow had a technical fall, two decisions and a fall.

   Brady Davis finished second at 220 pounds.