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West Branch is a win away from a return trip to the state basketball tournament.

Sixth-ranked West Branch bolted to a 19-5 lead after the first quarter and rolled to a 64-24 win over Wapello on Friday in a Class 2A, Region 6 semifinal in West Branch.

The win was the seventh straight for West Branch (20-3) and moved the Bears into the Region 6 title game where they will face ninth-ranked Van Buren (21-3) on Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Washington for a spot at the state tournament.

Wapello closed the season 15-6.

Taylor Thein had a game-high 18 points to lead West Branch while Mackenzie Heise added 12 points and seven rebounds.

Sasha Koenig had nine points, seven assists five rebounds and four steals for West Branch while Taya Young had six points, five steals, three assists and three rebounds.

Kaiya Luneckas had even points and grabbed 11 rebounds.

West Branch  19  12  13  20 –  64

Wapello           5    4   12   3  –  24

West Branch (64) – Taylor Thein 18, Mackenzie Heise 12, Sasha Koenig 9, Kaiya Luneckas 7, Taya Young 6, Rylan Druecker 6, Lexie Peak 3, Taylor Boelk 3

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