COLUMBIA CITY – Nate Walpole picked up right where he left off last season Wednesday night.

The high-scoring Whitko guard poured in 30 points to pace his team past host Columbia City 60-41 in the season opener for both teams.

Senior Walpole, who ranked among the state’s top scorers at 27 points-per-game last season, helped coach Eli Henson win his initial game in charge of the Wildcats.

Whitko led 15-7 after the opening period and 29-15 at halftime over the Eagles, who graduated 11  eseniors from last year’s sectional championship team that went 20-7.

River West scored 15 points and Spencer Sroufe had 11 points and eight rebounds for the Wildcats, who finished 14-10 last year.

Whitko plays at Wabash (0-1) on Dec. 2. Columbia City plays at Warsaw (1-0) Saturday night.