With a win over their rivals to the north and two other impressive victories, the Waterloo High School girls basketball squad reached the final of its own holiday tournament last week before falling to a tough Carlyle squad. 

The Bulldogs (7-10) opened tourney play in their home gym last Tuesday with a thrilling 40-39 win over Marissa. Waterloo trailed 15-6 after the first quarter and 26-18 at halftime, only to storm back in the third quarter. 

Kristin Smith led the way for the ‘Dogs with 20 points. Mallory Thompson added 13 points. 

That win set up a showdown between Monroe County rivals Waterloo and Columbia last Wednesday. The Bulldogs posted a 57-49 victory over the Eagles. 

Waterloo trailed 16-15 after one quarter, only to take a 31-28 edge into the locker room at halftime. 

The key to the victory for the ‘Dogs was three-point shooting, as the team went 9-for-18 from behind the arc.

Kate Lindhorst scored 15 points for Waterloo – all from three-point range. 

Also scoring 15 points for Waterloo was Thompson, who made the all-tourney team. 

Jordan Holten scored 19 points to lead the Eagles, who saw key starter Sam Schmuke leave the game late due to injury. 

Columbia head coach Scott Germain told the Republic-Times that Schmuke – who is averaging 12.3 points and four steals per game this season – injured an ankle and may miss a couple of weeks.

Following the win over Columbia, Waterloo posted a 52-47 win over Marquette on Thursday. Sam Juelfs paced the ‘Dogs offense with 18 points and nine rebounds. Aubrey Heck scored 13 points and Thompson added 11 points. 

That win put the Bulldogs in the championship game against Carlyle, who has suffered just one loss all season. 

Waterloo lost 63-27 to Carlyle after trailing 13-5 after one quarter and 34-19 at the half.

Smith led the ‘Dogs with nine points and five rebounds. She’s averaging 10 points and 6.1 rebounds per game on the season. 

Waterloo hosts Highland on Wednesday and Collinsville on Monday. 

Columbia (11-7) opened holiday tourney play with a 56-42 victory over Marquette last Tuesday, as Schmuke led the way with 20 points and eight steals. Kinley Jany added 15 points. 

Following the loss to Waterloo, the Eagles lost 39-29 to Marissa on Thursday. Holten was the top scorer for Columbia with nine points. 

The Eagles closed out tourney play with a 42-40 loss Friday to Roxana. Ava Langhans scored 19 points and Jay Brister chipped in with 10 points. 

Columbia plays Thursday at Freeburg, takes on Carlyle this Saturday night at Breese Central, and hosts Centralia on Monday. 

Holten leads the Eagles in scoring this season at 14.2 points per game. 

Gibault (4-12) lost all four games it played at the holiday tourney and have dropped seven straight. 

The Hawks lost 39-31 to Roxana last Tuesday, 76-19 to Carlyle last Wednesday, 49-26 to Red Bud on Thursday and 37-29 to Marquette on Friday. 

Gibault returns to action at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at home against Wood River, then hosts Valmeyer this Monday night. 

Valmeyer (6-3) is playing in the Chester Lady Jackets Mid-Winter Classic, starting with a Wednesday contest against Dupo. The tourney continues through Saturday. 

Dupo (2-11) lost 64-13 to Staunton last Wednesday and 36-25 to Christ Our Rock on Thursday in a holiday tourney at Centralia.