RIVERSIDE

An energetic atmosphere accompanied this early season Southeast Iowa Super Conference showdown between the undefeated Huskies and the one loss Lady Lions.  

Highland and Lone Tree were the co-champs of the season opening Four Corners Shootout but did not play each other, until now. 

Prevailing on the road, Lone Tree collected a key conference victory over Highland, 46-22, on Dec. 1.

This is Highland’s first loss of the season and their record drops to 4-1 and their conference record now sits at 1-1. For Lone Tree this win jumps its record to 4-1 and their conference record to 2-1.  

Defense was prevalent throughout this game, but after the first frame the Lady Lions were able to find a rhythm on offense and Highland was not. 

Lone Tree outscored Highland 15-2 in the second frame to take a 12 point lead. After scoring half of Highlnd’s first quarter points, senior Sarah Burton scored Highland’s lone field goal in the second quarter. 

The quarter after halftime also saw Burton as the lone Huskie to score a field goal. Burton completed a three-point play, making a free throw after making a basket while getting fouled, but Lone Tree closed the quarter by going on a 10-0 run.

Heading into the final frame with a 23 point lead, Lone Tree ended up winning the game by 24, outscoring Highland in every quarter except for the first. 

Burton scored half of Highland’s points to lead the Huskies in the scoring category with 11. This is the fourth consecutive game Burton’s point total has reached double digits. 

A well-balanced scoring attack, Lone Tree ended the game with four Lady Lions scoring seven or more points. 

The Lady Lion who led the way was sophomore Finley Jacque. Despite a lackluster shooting night, going 2-for-16 from the field, Jacuqe scored a team high nine points. She did most of her damage at the free throw line, going 4-for-5 at the line. 

Juniors Vivian Zaruba and Cate Sexton both scored eight to tie for the second most points on the team. Sophomore Alyson Ford secured a team leading 10 rebounds to go along with seven points. As a team they recorded 14 steals with Jacque, Zatuba, and senior Avery Lisk all nabbing three each. 

Columbus 64, Lone Tree 58

Getting to host a second consecutive game against a SEISC opponent, Lone Tree welcomed the Columbus Wildcats on Nov. 28. Suffering their first loss of the season, Lone Tree was defeated by Columbus. 

A tightly contested first quarter that ended with Columbus holding onto a one point advantage led into a second quarter where the Wildcats were able to expand their lead to nine entering halftime. 

After being outscored in three quarters of play the Lady Lions scored a quarter high 24 points in the final frame. Despite Lone Tree winning the fourth quarter, the Wildcats were still able to put up 20 points to stave off a potential comeback. 

Leading all scorers was Columbus junior Ariana Vergara. Vergara scored 21 points and led the team in blocks (3). Columbus junior Lily Coil recorded a double double, scoring 17 and collecting a team high 15 rebounds. 

Nearly reaching the 20 point threshold in back-to-back games, Finley Jacque led the Lady Lions with 19 points. Rylee Shield also recorded a double double in this game. Shield led all players in rebounds, pulling down 16 boards to go along with 10 points. 

The Lady Lions stayed home to battle Hillcrest (2-2) on Dec. 5. Up next for Lone Tree (4-1) is a home game against the Cedar Valley Christian Huskies (0-2) on Dec. 7 and then they will continue to stay home when they battle the English Valleys Bears (3-1) on Dec. 9.