SPARTA — The Highland Scots had a rough challenge Saturday, facing a talented Elgin squad that towered over most of the Scots starting lineup, and the Comets used their size to win 54-43.
“Anytime you’re about three inches shorter than anybody you got to battle really hard,” said Highland head coach Whitney Levering-Smith. “I don’t think it was a matter of not working hard on my post players. They worked really hard on (Josi) Wolf, she just outsized them.”
In the first quarter, the Comets came out hot with an early 5-0 run on Highland. The Scots soon settled down and started making shots of their own. Raven Tilford made a few moves in the paint, giving her team five points in the period. Teammate Peyton Carpenter contributed with four, and the Scots were down 16-12 heading into the second.
In the second stanza, Highland came out ready to attack, starting the quarter with their own 5-0 run. Madison Cecil sparked some life into the Scots by hitting a shot from downtown. On the other end of the court the Scots were hindered defensivley as they lost post defender Gena West due to an injury. Elgin went on to finish the quarter on a 10-4 run and head into the locker room up 26-21.
Highland started the fourth with a 5-0 run over the Comets, highlighted by a corner three swished in by Savannah Fitzpatrick and the Scots cut the lead to two, 41-39. Elgin was quick to respond. Bekah Muselin hit one from behind the arc to give Elgin the 44-39 advantage. Elgin’s defense stepped up big, only allowing the Scots to score four points the rest of the quarter. Muselin went on to score 11 on the frame, securing the win and defeating the Scots 54-43.
Top scorers for the Scots were Cecil (14), and Tilford (9). Mattie Ruehrmund, Darcy Walters, Brooklyn Baird, Fitzpatirck and Carpenter combined for 19.
The Comets were lead in scoring by Muselin with 19, followed by teammate Wolf who recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Krosbi Clark, Tirah Nelson, Racheal Schoen and Audrey Christman combined for 21 points.
The Scots are set to travel to Fredericktown on Wednesday for a Knox-Morrow Athletic Conference game with a 6 p.m. JV tip.
