Two old conference foes from the KCII listening area met in the latest chapters of their hoops rivalry Tuesday at Hillcrest Union in Kalona when the Highland Huskies paid the Ravens of Hillcrest Academy a visit for a boy/girl doubleheader. In the ladies contest, the Huskies came back and then outlasted the home team 45-42 in overtime. Hillcrest started the game on a 15-7 run that spanned the entire first quarter and still led 23-18 at half. Highland made adjustments at the break and took a slim 34-32 lead to the fourth quarter. The Ravens tied the game late to force extra basketball where the Huskies clamped down on defense, not allowing Hillcrest a field goal in the extra session to pull out the win.

Highland capitalized at the line in the close game going 14 of 25 to just six of 11 for the Ravens. Sarah Burton had a big night with a game high 26. Hillcrest grabbed 35 rebounds and knocked down eight threes but it wasn’t enough. Claire Withrow, this week’s KCII JET Physical Therapy Athlete of the Week had 21 points, including five threes, Malia Yoder added 13 points and Niva Helmuth had 13 boards. The win kept Highland unbeaten at 4-0 while the Ravens fell to 1-2.

In the season opener for the boys, it was all Hillcrest from the jump in a 57-18 win. The Ravens rolled, leading 18-0 after the first quarter and put together a 25-6 run that spanned the entire second frame to enact the running clock and take a 43-6 lead into the break. Hillcrest put the game away by winning the third frame 14-7. The Ravens shot 40% on the night and hit eight threes. They outrebounded Highland by eight, had 19 assists, 17 steals and forced 22 total Highland turnovers. Seth Ours had a monster game for the Ravens with 25 points and five assists. Nick Oriano led Highland with five points and five boards.