RIVERSIDE

A potential upset was brewing for the Huskies at home as they held a slim one-point lead after two quarters of play against conference foe, No. 10 Lone Tree, and in the second half  the potential upset became a reality. 

Defeating the Lady Lions (2-1) for the first time since 2022, Highland (3-0) picked up a 60-47 conference win on Nov. 26 to remain undefeated on the young season. 

“A big win, good confidence booster, girls stayed disciplined,” Highland head coach Jody Fink said after the game. “Much respect for coach Shelman and his girls, they’re going to be a force throughout the season, so I’m glad we were able to sit there and get them here now.”

It was a tight contest in the first half with both teams overcoming a sluggish start on offense in the first quarter. The second quarter saw the lead change hands multiple times, with both teams keeping pace with each other. Ultimately with both teams scoring 14 points apiece kept the Huskies ahead by one at the half.

The third quarter is where Highland gained their distance from Lone Tree, and it was the impressive offensive play of freshman Kamryn Fink that served as a key factor to the Huskies coming away with the win.

Jetting out to a fantastic start to her first year of varsity basketball, Fink led all scorers with 32 points (season high) and brought down a team high 20 rebounds to end with a double double against Lone Tree. 

“I was definitely just trying to play my hardest, because we have not beat Lone Tree in a few years, and I know we wanted it really bad,” Kamryn Fink said about the win over Lone Tree “It was a fight of whoever wanted it more, and we came out on top, showing that we wanted it more.”

A majority of Fink’s made field goals came from distance as she connected on five three-pointers. Nine of her points came from the free throw line and she also ended the night with two assists, two steals, and one block.

While Fink led the way it was a great team effort overall for Highland. It was an all-around game for Katie Herrig as the senior scored 10, pulled down nine rebounds, and dished out a team high six assists.

“Feel like we definitely did well at working together,” Kamryn Fink said. “And even if they did end up guarding one person super closely, we found the open person to definitely include everyone.”

“She knows that other people are going to be open, and she’s looking for her teammates,” coach Fink said about Kamryn Fink. “It’s a team game. She’ll get what she gets, but she’s going to look for her teammates and incorporate everybody. And by doing that, you know, it opens up the game for everybody else.”

Other Huskies who made a considerable impact in the win were Hailey Brun and Mackenzie Davis. Davis put up eight points to go along with six rebounds and three assists. Brun scored seven and swiped a team high three steals.

For Lone Tree they were led on offense by Finley Jacque, Cate Sexton, and Ava Christofferson all scoring 10 points each. Despite the final frame of 17 points being their highest scoring quarter of the night, Lone Tree was unable to overcome their deficit as Highland dropped 22 to keep the Lady Lions at bay.

Up next for Lone Tree (2-1) is a home conference matchup against Winfield-Mt Union (2-0) on Dec. 6 and up next for Highland (3-0) is a road conference battle against Columbus (1-0) on Dec. 10.

HIGHLAND 60, LONE TREE 47

Highland      8   14   16   22   --  60

Lone Tree     7   14    9     17  --   47