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Keota takes down Highland, advances to 1A-6 semis
Eagles force 31 turnovers, hold off Huskies to earn program-best 18th win
Southeast Iowa Union offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
RIVERSIDE — Keota found a way to win ugly.
The Eagles began the 2025-26 season with a 22-point victory over Highland. It was a statement win that set up 16 more and a full circle rematch against the Huskies Tuesday night in the second round of the Class 1A Region 6 playoffs.
Keota refused to be denied in a much closer postseason clash. Backed by a strong contingent of road fans, the Eagles ground out a 49-43 win to end Highland’s season the same way it began.
“We came in the locker room, we were screaming and jumping up and down,” sophomore Cameron Haifley said. “We knew it was a big win and it was going to be a tough game. So we were all really glad that we pulled it off.”
The game was far from a high-scoring track meet despite the offensive star power on both sides. The teams totaled 57 turnovers, shot a combined 34.7% from the field and 23% from 3-point range.
Keota’s defense made the difference. The Eagles negated 26 giveaways by forcing 31. They tallied 19 steals and held Highland scoreless for the final 4:20 of the game.
“We had to defend really good,” Haifley said. “We're all really tired, especially after a really long game. So just having good defense and making sure we hit open people and get good shots.”
Keota won the rebounding battle 39-30, which added to its transition offense and kept the game close. Highland was never ahead by more than eight points after it took the lead with three minutes left in the first period and held it until the 2:35 mark of the third.
The Eagles also made 13 of 26 free throws compared to just 7 of 17 for Highland. Haifley finished with 10 points, including a critical shot from the line that made it four-point game with 15.2 seconds left.
Haifley’s teammates made big-time buckets to counter Highland’s box-and-1 defense that aimed to mark the sophomore out of the game. Emily Conger scored eight points, including a 3 right in front of the Keota bench that gave the Eagles a 44-43 lead. Jessalyn Aller also had eight. Dakota Dodd chipped six on two made 3s.
“We didn't force it a lot of times, and that's something we've talked about is not getting in a hurry,” Keota coach Jeff Sprouse said. “You got the whole shot clock. Obviously we like to shoot it quick, but this is one of the things that we have to be able to do. If you're open once, you're probably going to be open again.”
Elyse Lyle led Keota with 13 points. She was also the primary defender on Kamryn Fink. The Highland star went for 19 points in the first matchup, but was held to 11 Tuesday.
Fink managed a double-double with 12 rebounds to go with her points, but was unable to cut into Keota’s three-point lead with under 30 seconds to play. The sophomore missed a pair of free throws and a 3 after Keota knocked the second freebie out of bounds. Fink was also forced to the bench in the first half after she picked up a third foul with 3:45 left in the second quarter.
Highland’s struggles to grow its first half lead proved costly when it went cold in the fourth. After getting stuck at 43 points, the Huskies committed three turnovers missed their final four field goals.
“You’ve got to know what you're going to do with the ball before you get it,” Huskies coach Jody Fink said. “We sat there and thought about it, so when we had open looks, those closed down real quick... We control that, and we did not control the controllables tonight.”
Hailey Brun led Highland with 12 points and added four assists, two rebounds and a pair of steals. Kinzie Ruess had eight points, eight boards and three blocks, while Katelyn Thomann finished with six points, three steals, three rebounds and a pair of assists.
Highland’s season ends at 20-4, including a 16-0 mark in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference North, the first undefeated finish in program history. The Huskies are a combined 37-12 over the last two campaigns.
Next season’s Huskies team won’t have to wait long to try and avenge a stinging defeat to the Eagles. Both teams will participate in the 2026 4 Corners Shootout, which tips off the 2026-27 season.
“They get to start our season again next year,” Jody Fink said. “Honestly, our players, their clock should already start right now as to, hey, we play them first next year, and have that on their calendar.”
Keota earned its 18th of the season, which sets a program high. The Eagles improved their record by seven wins from last season and tippled their win total from 2023-24 when they finished 6-14.
“You don’t want your season to end now, obviously, but you’ve got to be able to be willing to put the work in because there’s a lot of teams that are good,” Sprouse said. “(Highland’s) got a lot better history here than what we do, but these kids can make their own history and right this thing.”
Keota moves on to face No. 1 seed Dunkerton in the 1A-6 semifinals. The Raiders (20-2) beat Pekin 73-35 in the second round.
Tipoff between the Eagles and Raiders is set for 7 p.m. Friday at Dunkerton High School. The winner will face either Turkey Valley or Edgewood-Colesburg in the 1A-6 final.
