Cuba High School’s girls’ basketball team played a pair of home games on Jan. 6 and Jan. 8 against Vienna and New Haven. The Lady Wildcats defeated Vienna and New Haven to go to 11-3 on the season. Cuba then traveled to Viburnum on Jan. 12, which will be detailed in next week’s edition. The Lady Cats will play in Sullivan on Jan. 15 and will host Cuba’s Pink Out Night along with the boys’ basketball team on Jan. 17 against Belle to raise funds for breast cancer awareness. The Lady Cats’ varsity team will play at 4 p.m. and its JV team will play a half-game at 5:30 p.m. Cuba’s JV boys’ team will play at 2:30 p.m. and its varsity boys’ team will tip off at 6 p.m.

Jan. 6 vs. Vienna

The Lady Wildcats found themselves in a back-and-forth battle for the majority of the game against a tough Vienna Eagles team who came into the matchup on a three-game winning streak, which included an 82-6 demolition of Chamois. Cuba got out to a 13-10 lead after the first quarter, but the Lady Eagles’ defense tightened in the second frame. Vienna held the Lady Cats to just three points in the second quarter and took a 20-16 lead into halftime. The third quarter was a competitive frame and Cuba closed the gap to one, as Vienna entered the fourth quarter up 26-25. The fourth quarter was dominated by the Lady Wildcats, whose tenacious defense repeatedly forced turnovers that led to layups on the other end. Cuba exploded for 23 points and gave up just four in the final frame to make a close game look like a blowout, as the Lady Cats came away with a 48-30 victory to go to 10-3 on the season and end its two game losing streak.

The Lady Wildcats had three players score in double figures led by Mya Garbo, who poured in 16 points and dished out a team-high six assists. Garbo was relentless defensively and made 10 deflections and swiped six steals. Leah Schmidt scored 10 of her 12 points in the fourth quarter and made the majority of her baskets in transition at the rim. Brooklyn Tate scored a season-high 11 points, snagged six rebounds, blocked four shots and made multiple and-one layups that brought boosts of energy to the Lady Cats and Mike Voigt Gymnasium. Jaylen Haffer scored five points, grabbed 10 rebounds and made four steals. Annica Farris knocked down a three-pointer and a free throw to finish with four points. Ella Hollis had 19 points and eight rebounds to lead Vienna. 

Jan. 8 vs. New Haven

The Lady Wildcats competed in a low-scoring, defensive-led matchup against the New Haven Lady Shamrocks. Cuba led 9-8 after the first quarter before its defensive intensity picked up. The Lady Cats gave up just one point in the second quarter and went into halftime up 16-9. Cuba then outscored the Lady Shamrocks 11-4 in the third frame to take a 27-13 lead into the fourth quarter. New Haven had its best scoring quarter in the fourth, scoring 12, but it wasn’t enough to comeback as Cuba walked away with a 35-25 victory for its 11th win of the season.

Schmidt led the Lady Cats with 12 points and added three assists and three steals. Haffer was Cuba’s only other double-digit scorer, and finished with 11 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals. Garbo scored eight, grabbed five rebounds and made three steals. Addison McGinnis scored three points, brought down three rebounds and swiped four steals. Farris scored one and grabbed four rebounds to round out the scoring for the Lady Cats. Alivia Guehne led the Lady Shamrocks with 12 points