Coming up a bit short in the final quarter of its first game of the new year, Highland was defeated on the road by Columbus, 52-48, on January 3.  

Never being able to procure a large enough lead to feel comfortable in the game, the Huskies went into the fourth quarter with only a three point advantage. Then in the final frame they were outscored by the Wildcats, 13-6, leading to a four point defeat to a conference opponent. 

“We gave the ball away too often with turnovers and gave up too many offensive rebounds,” Highland coach Jody Fink said. “Communication was off and on. We got to the free throw line but left too many free points there. We need to play better defense, limit the scoring, and communicate better throughout the entire game.”

As a team Highland committed 27 turnovers which played a part in its lead never becoming large enough to negate any potential comeback by the Wildcats. Columbus was led by sophomore Ariana Vergara who finished the night with six rebounds, three steals, and a team high 14 points. 

It was Highland junior standout Sarah Burton who decided to stuff the stat sheet that night in all the right ways. Burton finished the night with a double double, by securing 13 rebounds and scoring a team high 26 points. She also had a strong defensive showing with nine blocks, just one block short of an unconventional triple double. 

Highland senior Katelyn Waters was the second highest scorer with nine points. Waters also corralled four rebounds, dished out four assists, and stole the ball four times.

English Valleys 54, Highland 44

In a non-conference showdown on the road Highland’s hope for a comeback win in the fourth quarter was shut down by the three-point shooting of its opponent. Which led to a 54-44 loss to English Valleys on January 5. 

Highland was able to take a 12-10 lead after the first quarter ended but after relinquishing the lead near the beginning of the second quarter the Huskies played catch-up for the rest of the game. 

Essentially nipping at the heels of the Bears throughout the whole game Highland made English Valleys’ room for error with the lead a small one. 

“Missing many easy buckets, giving the ball away through turnovers, and giving up too many offensive rebounds,” Highland coach Jody Fink said regarding some missteps his team took during the game. “We tip the ball but don’t actually grab it. We have to take what is ours and what we want, not wait for someone else to do it for us.”

As a team Highland gave up 12 offensive rebounds and committed 22 turnovers. 

Entering the fourth quarter the Huskies trailed by seven and looked to finally take back the lead but, thanks in part to English Valley’s three point shooting, scoring back-to-back three pointers in the final frame, the door on a potential comeback was officially shut.

Highland junior Burton was once again the leading scorer for the Huskies, with 16 points. Burton went perfect from the free throw line by sinking both of her shots, collected eight rebounds, and led the team with a field goal percentage of 87.5%.    

With the margin of victory being ten points, the three-point shooting seemed to be the deciding factor in this game. Highland only made two shots beyond the three-point arc while English Valleys made six three-pointers in total. 

“Injuries and foul trouble didn’t help but we need to overcome these hurdles. We had a couple of girls really step up and that is a positive to see moving forward. It’ll be a busy week next week with 3 games but they are games we can compete and get if we get our heads on straight,” Fink said.

Highland 43, Pekin 41

Starting the week on a high note Highland traveled on the road to pick up a 43-41 conference win over Pekin on January 9. With this win the Huskies have improved its conference record to 3-5 and with the loss Pekin falls to 1-5 in conference play with a 1-10 record overall. 

At the start of the game the Highland defense played tough, only allowing a single point in the first quarter, but Pekin battled back, scoring 18 points in the second quarter and taking a six point lead going into halftime.

In the second half it was Highland’s turn to respond when trailing and outscored the Panthers 13-8 in the third quarter. Still trailing by two points going into the final frame the Huskies were able to outmatch the Panthers offensively, outscoring them 18-14, and securing a two point victory in the process.  

Highland (4-7) was on the road again when they faced conference foe Hillcrest (0-11) on January 6. This is the second time these two fellow conference members will play against each other this season, with the first matchup being won by Highland, 51-24. 

Then the Huskies will stay at home and welcome conference opponent Lone Tree (7-6) on January 13. This will be the second time these two teams face each other this season and Highland is hoping for a different outcome this time around , Lone Tree won the first game between them, 38-29.