Wildcats hand Huskies their first loss of the season

By Giovanni Coronel
Posted 12/19/24

COLUMBUS

A big time showdown between two teams sitting atop the conference was living up to its billing through two quarters of play as the visiting Huskies and the Wildcats went into the half …

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Wildcats hand Huskies their first loss of the season

Posted

COLUMBUS

A big time showdown between two teams sitting atop the conference was living up to its billing through two quarters of play as the visiting Huskies and the Wildcats went into the half all tied up at 24.

This game was up for grabs for either team to claim but it was a pivotal third quarter which eventually propelled Columbus (5-1) to a 53-46 victory over the previously undefeated Huskies (4-1) on Dec. 10.

“It was a good battle throughout the night,” Highland coach Jody Fink said about the game against Columbus. “We made too many mistakes tonight to be able to come out on top, but I will hand it to my girls that they fought all night long.”

It was a battle through and through, with each team giving it their all but ultimately Highland was handed its first loss of the season with their conference record dropping to 2-1.

For the Wildcats, they take sole possession of first place in the Southeast Iowa Super Conference with an unblemished 4-0 record against conference opponents.    

Highland went into this game down a starter (Hailey Brun), but it was a hot start from distance for the Huskies to start, connecting on four three-pointers to take a 14-7 after one.

“We had girls step up and make critical shots and we did a very nice job on the boards but had too many turnovers,” coach Fink said. “Not having Hailey Brun available tonight really hurt by taking a major ball handler away, but don’t take anything away from Columbus, they deserved it tonight.”

  Battling back to tie the game, the Wildcats scored 17 in the second quarter and then went on to win the third to enter the final frame with a five-point advantage.

In a high scoring fourth quarter, Highland made it a one possession game five separate times, but for every punch the Huskies provided, the Wildcats answered with a counterpunch to keep their lead until the final buzzer sounded.

“We have to get our defense more intense and close out better on shooters.  We gave too much space to their shooters and they took advantage,” coach Fink said.

It was quite the night for Columbus senior Lily Coil. Securing a double double, Coil led all scorers with 34 points and pulled down a team best 16 rebounds. 

Leading the offense for Highland was Kamryn Fink and Katelyn Thomann. Both Fink and Thomann scored 11 with Fink also procuring a team high 23 rebounds to obtain a double double.

 

Highland 48, W-MU 37

Getting back in the win column after its first defeat of the season, No. 14 Highland (5-1) claimed a 48-37 road conference win over Winfield-Mt Union (2-5) on Dec. 13.

“We came back off a big loss for us and had a little lull to begin with but then responded,” Highland coach Jody Fink said about the win over W-MU. “So proud of all of our girls.  They are heading in the right direction and each one of them is playing an integral role for our team concept.”

After going down by three through one quarter of play, the Huskies won the second quarter to enter the half with a seven-point lead.

This lead was maintained through the third and in a low-scoring fourth frame, Highland kept the Wolves at bay to pick up its third conference win of the year.

“W-MU played great defense, but our girls shared the ball well and we had other girls step up and as a team we were able to come out on top,” coach Fink said.

After missing the last game, sophomore Hailey Brun made big plays for Highland on both sides of the court. Brun tied for the team high in points scored (17) and nabbed a team best six steals.

Also scoring 17 to lead the Huskies was Emersyn Schultz who drained four three-pointers.

“Hailey Brun and Emersyn Schultz both did a great job defensively and offensively and we, as a team, did a good job of finding them for open shots.” coach Fink said.

The boards were controlled by the freshman-senior duo of Kamryn Fink and Katie Herrig who grabbed 15 and 14 rebounds respectively. 

Up next for Highland (5-1) is staying at home and welcoming WACO (2-2) for a conference matchup on Dec. 19.

 

HIGHLAND 46, COLUMBUS 53

Highland   14   10   7    15 -- 46

Columbus   7    17   12   17  -- 53

Highland leading scorers: Kamryn Fink 11, Katelyn Thomann 11, Emersyn Schultz 9

Columbus leading scorers: Lily Coil 34, Isabel Rendon 12, Frannie Sosa 4

Highland leading rebounders: Fink 23, Kaite Herrig 12, Schultz 8

Columbus leading rebounders: Coil 16, Rendon 4, Aracely Garza 4

 

HIGHLAND 48, W-MU 37

Highland  10   18  11   9 -- 48

W-MU       13    8   11   5  -- 37

Highland leading scorers: Emersyn Schultz 17, Hailey Brun 17, Mackenzie Davis 6

W-MU leading scorers: Kynlee Buffington 15, Madisen Kellogg 11, Suttyn Schlee 5

Highland leading rebounders: Fink 15, Katie Herrig 14, Schultz 6, Davis 6

W-MU leading rebounders: Buffington 11, Kellee Milks 7, Kellogg 6