Huskies top Wildcats behind dominant second quarter

RIVERSIDE — A complete game is what the Highland girls basketball team put together on Friday night against the Wildcats of Columbus.

On senior night, the Huskies did not disappoint against the Wildcats as they picked up a 59-40 victory.

To start the Southeast Iowa Super Conference North battle, it was a tightly contested game, but the Huskies turned it up a notch in second quarter.

Highland narrowly took the first quarter 11-8, but in the second the Huskies poured in 19 points, while holding Columbus to just six. For the Wildcats that was their lowest point total of the night and for the Huskies their highest.

Heading into the locker room at the half, Highland held a 30-14 lead.

In the second half, Highland was able to sustain its lead, but Columbus didn’t go down easily.

Out of the break, the Wildcats scored the first five points to cut the Huskies lead to nine, 30-19.

The Huskies quickly answered back though as they outscored the Wildcats 16-8 to the end of the quarter to make it a 46-27 ballgame.

In the fourth, the Huskies Sarah Burton scored seven straight points and Katie Herrig buried a three to cap off a 10-5 run by the Huskies, pushing the lead to 54-32.

Columbus ended the game on a 8-3 run, but Highland’s advantage was too great to overcome.

Sarah Burton led the Huskies with 17 points and 17 boards on 7-for-11 shooting from the field. Katie Herrig finished with 14 points, which included four shots from deep. Katelyn Waters ended with eight points. Kylie Allen had five points. Abbi Stransky and Anna Herrig both had two.

For Columbus, Ariana Vergara finished with 10 points and six rebounds. Sara Vela ended with eight points and Lily Coil had seven. Victoria Howell ended with six. Aracely Garza and Kennedy Woepking each dropped in four.

With the win, Highland improves to 9-11 on the season. Columbus drops down to 7-13.