The Wahoo Warriors basketball season got off to a great start, as they defeated conference rival Bennington 69-57 in the season opener for both teams.

The two teams traded leads early, and the Warriors led 11-10 when Derek Fiala and Max Cook hit back-to-back treys to put up Wahoo up 17-10 at the end of one quarter.

Back-to-back buckets from Josh Discher put Wahoo up 23-12 early in the second quarter. The Badgers then cut into the lead. A Hayden Byrd basket cut the Warrior lead to 28-24. However, a Greg Milliken lay up, and two free throws a piece from Sean Lindgren and Milliken took the Warriors to the halftime with a 34-24 lead.

The Warriors got off to a great start in the second half. A three-point play from Jake Barry and Milliken basket put Wahoo up 15, at 39-24 early in the third quarter. The lead was still 13 at 49-36, late in the third when Discher made one of two free throws, Jake Barry scored on a drive to the basket, and Milliken hit a three to end the quarter to put Wahoo up 55-36 after three quarters.

A 10-2 run by the Warriors, capped by a Max Cook lay up gave the Warriors their largest lead at 27, 65-38, with 6:30 left in the game. Some sloppy play by the Warriors in the final five minutes allowed Bennington to make the final margin 12 at 69-57.

"I was very excited with our effort tonight. I thought we played very hard on the defensive end of the floor. On the offensive end, we shared the ball and got good looks, which allowed us to shoot 51% for the game. We have to do a much better job rebounding the ball, but overall, I thought it was a great start for our kids," said Head Coach Kevin Scheef.

Wahoo had four players in double figures. Max Cook, Greg Milliken, and Jake Barry all had 13 points. Josh Discher added 11. Cole Barry led Wahoo with 5 assists. Jake Barry had 6 rebounds, and Josh Discher had 4 steals.

Bennington out-rebounded the Warriors by 10 at 40-30.

Wahoo plays its second game on Saturday afternoon at Seward.