The Highland Huskies began the new girls’ basketball season on a promising note by winning their season opener and coming up just short in another game effort over the weekend. Highland started the new campaign by defeating the Keota Eagles 53-27 Friday. The Huskies jumped out to a 17-6 lead after the first quarter and were up 21 at halftime on a night where they hit better than 60 percent of their shot attempts. Highland’s loss was a 44-40 overtime defeat Saturday at Iowa Valley. Despite racing out to a 17-8 lead after a quarter of play, the Huskies slumped shooting the ball the rest of the night, meaning tenacious defense was not enough to secure a 2-0 start to the season.

Junior Sarah Burton was the leader of the Highland band with 39 points, 20 rebounds, six steals and six blocked shots combined across the two games. Burton also shot almost 55% from the field. Senior point guard Katelyn Waters proved to be a capable conductor with 15 points, 14 assists and six steals, while senior forward Jessica Kraus added 15 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Highland is scheduled to return to action next Tuesday against the Hillcrest Academy Ravens.