Balanced offense carried second-ranked Charter Oak-Ute into the Class 1A semifinals.

 

   The Bobcats beat Postville 53-26 Monday behind strong games from Kristin Bumsted, Kami Kuhlmann and Kala Kuhlmann.

 

   Bumsted put up a double-double, scoring 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Kami Kuhlmann added 16 points and six steals, while Kala Kuhlmann scored 13. Alyssa Staley contributed nine rebounds for the defending state champions and Amanda Mordhorst had four assists and three steals.

 

   Kala Kuhlmann, who has signed with Nebraska, was the third 2,000-point scorer to play in Monday's first round. She followed Margo Muhlbauer of IKM and Liz Tauger of Twin River Valley. Kuhlmann now has 2,317 points, which is fourth on the state's career list.

 

   Charter Oak-Ute led 30-16 at halftime and used solid defense to stay ahead in the second half.

 

   Wisconsin recruit Brittany Heins led Postville with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Jessica Schultz collected seven rebounds for the Pirates.

 

   Heins had a strong senior season after missing all of her junior year with a torn ACL and half her sophomore season with an injury.

 

   Charter Oak-Ute takes a 23-3 record into Wednesday night's semifinals. Postville finishes 19-7.

¦