In an All-KCII area matchup, it was the Highland Huskies girls basketball team who advanced to the Class 1A Region 7 semifinals with a 53-34 win in Riverside Tuesday over the Hillcrest Academy Ravens. Highland held a slim 12-9 lead after the first quarter, the Dogs put together a 21-6 run that spanned the full second frame to take control of the game and go up 33-15 at half. The Ravens would get as close as 13 in the second half, but Highland had an answer for each Hillcrest push down the stretch.

Highland’s defense was dominant, holding Hillcrest to just 21% shooting, forcing 27 turnovers, grabbing 22 steals, winning the boards 45-28 and posting seven blocked shots. Highland’s Kamryn Fink went double double with 16 points and 13 rebounds, Hailey Brun scored 14 with eight steals and Katelyn Thomann 13. Katie Herrig had five assists. Claire Withrow led the Raven attack with 14 points, Niva Helmuth finished with 10 boards, Malia Yoder five steals and Delaney Shaw three assists for Hillcrest. The Ravens end their season at 11-12 and say goodbye to seniors Malia Yoder, Delaney Shaw, Lydia Beachy and Hailey Chalupa. The win helped Highland to 17-7.