WINFIELD

A pre-holiday business trip down Highway 218 to Winfield, Iowa, was on tap for the Highland Girls and Boys Basketball teams as they took on the Wolves of Winfield-Mount Union last Tuesday night. 

It would be candy canes instead of coal this Christmas for the Highland girls, as they tamed the Wolves by a final of 49-34. 

After a tight first quarter and an even scrappier second, both teams headed to the locker rooms tied at 21. Forcing turnovers with a half court press, nearly perfect free throw shooting, and limiting Winfield star Madisen Kellogg to only seven second half points was what made Jody Fink’s team seemingly act as the Grinch that stole Winfield’s Christmas.

The breakout game finally came for Junior Katie Herrig, as she finished with a team-high 16 points, four of which were from beyond the arc. 

“Katie Herrig had a great all-around game for us, knocking down four three-pointers and hitting the boards while dishing out three assists,” Highland coach Jody Fink said. “If she can come around and get some more production out of our bench, we will be a tough nut to crack.”

Senior Sarah Burton finished with a perfect eight-for-eight night from the free throw line on her way to collecting 14 points and grabbing a team leading 16 rebounds. Madisen Kellogg had a team-high 19 points for Winfield.

If the Highland boys team wanted to stay in the holiday spirit after capturing their first win of the season against English Valleys, an upset win over the talented WMU boys team would certainly be the gift they would want to see sitting under their tree on Christmas morning.

Unfortunately, Winfield Head Coach Klay Edwards and his pack of wolves had visions of sugar plums dancing in their heads. Apparently, a couple dunks were mixed in those visions as well.

Sprinting out to a 24-4 lead after one quarter, and extending that lead to 37-7 at halftime, those visions for the Wolves essentially became true, especially when future Hawkeye Linebacker Cam Buffington and Junior Jake Edwards provided the dunks. 

The final score of the contest was a 66-13 Winfield victory, putting a sour taste in the mouths of many Highland fans in attendance.

Junior Louis Horak and Sophomore Bryce Hazelett led Highland with four points each, while Cam Buffington led WMU with 18 on the eve of the early National Signing Day when he and fellow Senior Abram Edwards would sign their national letters of intent (NLI) to play football at Iowa and Army respectively.

What’s Next?

Both Highland Girls (8-3) and Boys (1-7) take a much needed holiday break to rest and spend time with their families. Upon returning to action after winter break, both teams will welcome the Wildcats of Columbus Junction as they prowl to Riverside as part of a conference doubleheader on Tuesday, January 2nd, 2024.