Lone Tree girls stun Huskies

It was a night where things were supposed to turn around for the Highland girls? basketball team.

After two tough losses to Pekin and Columbus, the Huskies were looking to right the ship against a Lone Tree team that has endured its share of struggles this season.

Turns out, it was the wrong night to see them.

Lone Tree controlled the entire game, only allowing one lead by the Huskies, as they pulled off a thrilling 36-35 victory.

With the loss, Highland (12-5, 10-5 in conference) dropped its third-straight game while Lone Tree improved to 5-12 (4-11 in conference).

?We have no desire right now,? Highland head coach Jody Fink said in his postgame comments. ?Our strength is in the lane, getting shots, and we take as many 3-pointers as 2-point shots. We can try to put people in position, but if they don?t want to do things it won?t happen. The kids have to want it , and right now it doesn?t look like they do.?

Lone Tree started out the game with a 9-3 run, and held Highland to seven first-quarter points, taking a 15-7 lead after the first eight minutes.

Highland seemed to find a groove in the second quarter, taking the lead off a 9-0 run, but Lone Tree took the lead, despite only scoring three points in the second quarter, leading 18-16 at halftime.

Lone Tree took a 25-19 lead in the middle of the third, but a 3-pointer by Kelsey Hora helped cut that lead going into the fourth quarter.

Highland tied the game up at 28, but Lone Tree hit four straight free throws to take a four-point lead.

The Lions held the Huskies at bay for much of the rest of the fourth quarter, until Cheyann Adamson put in four points of a 5-0 run to tie things up with 43.4 seconds left.

Lone Tree held the ball, looking to take the final shot, but a Highland foul with six seconds left put the Lions on the free-throw line.

Madison Forbes gave Lone Tree the lead, hitting the second of the two free throws, and a last-second attempt was off the mark, sending Highland home with the loss.

The Huskies were led by Adamson?s 10 points, while Samantha Dutton picked up four points and 12 rebounds for Highland.

Highland will face a tough task on Friday night when they take on Mediapolis, the No. 1 ranked team in Class 3A.