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Washington Evening Journal
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Huskies hang on, stave off WACO
Herrig’s huge night leads Highland to big SEISC North win
RIVERSIDE — Highland desperately needed a win against WACO on Tuesday night when the two girls basketball teams met in a Southeast Iowa Super Conference North Division battle. It took quite the effort, but the Huskies pulled it out.
Junior Katie Herrig knocked down six 3-pointers to help lift the Huskies past the Warriors 52-49, earning Highland revenge for a loss earlier this season, as well as their first victory against WACO since 2016.
“After the first one went in, I was pretty excited,” said Herrig, who finished the night with 20 points. “I've been struggling a lot from the 3-point line.”
She certainly didn’t struggle on Tuesday night. Herrig hit two long balls in the first half and four in the second.
Highland led the game 20-7 after the first quarter, but WACO came storming back in the second period. The Warriors had the Highland lead down to 25-23 at halftime and 40-38 after three quarters.
Highland leading scorer Sarah Burton was in foul trouble all night, forcing the Huskies to play without their inside force for much of the game. Burton fouled out with two minutes left in the fourth quarter, but the rest of the Highland lineup stood strong against a late WACO push.
“It was a great team win,” said Highland head coach Jodi Fink. “We showed we can all do it. Every one of those girls is capable.”
Herrig ended the night with 20 points. Burton had eight. Stella Slaymaker and Kylie Allen scored six points apiece. Mackenzie Davis had four. Kelsi Cerny and Katelyn Thomann put up three apiece, and Kerra Longbine ended with two.
WACO’s Brenna Graber led the Warrior offense off the bench with 21 points, including a handful of late points that cut the lead from a five-point deficit to a two-point deficit in the final two minutes.
“She’s a great sixth person off the bench,” said WACO head coach Lisa Graber. We don't fall off when she goes in. “She's a ballhandler, and she can shoot, and she's a competitor so we can use her on defense.“
Naomi Egli scored 10 points for the Warriors. Emma Wagler had nine. Halle Shelman scored five, and Marie Farmer ended with four.
Highland is now 11-4 overall and 8-2 in the SEISC North, sitting one game behind Columbus and Lone Tree for first place in the loss column. WACO is 6-8 overall and 6-5 in league play.
