The No. 15 Highland girls’ basketball team took on No. 3 Centennial in the first round of the Division II Central 1 Sectional tournament on Feb. 21, and despite a 16 point effort for Bryleigh Young, the Lady Scots fell 67-52 to end the season with an 8-15 record.
The Stars opened the game with an 18-9 first quarter lead, but the Lady Scots did have the three ball going early. Young, Kate Clements and MaKaylee Merckling all hit threes in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Young hit a pair of threes and Merckling drained another. However, the Stars were still able to outscore the Lady Scots 16-15, and it was a 34-24 halftime lead for Centennial.
Centennial dominated the third quarter 25-15, and while Addie Mullins scored 10 points to lead Highland to a 15-9 fourth quarter advantage, the Stars were able to hang on for the win.
Young had 16 points to lead the Lady Scots, which included four threes. Mullins had 15 points, while Merckling put up eight points. Clements and Amarie Morgan each had three points, and Reagan Maibach and Ava Williams each had two points. Aubree Bellamy had a point to round out the scoring.
I thought we really battled and competed hard,” said Coach Matt Bradley. “We just couldn't get that one stop or one rebound we needed to tighten up the game. We got down early, but credit to our girls for battling back and making it a close game at half. We just couldn't get over the hump. Ironically, during the season we struggled at times offensively but guarded really, really well. Against Centennial, we scored it really well but just couldn't get stops. A lot of that is because Centennial is a really good team.”
Young had another great game shooting the ball, and she really made a name for herself in her junior season. She finished out the year with 38 threes, and Bradley noted how well she shot down the stretch.
“We’re excited about having her another season,” Bradley said.
Morgan was the lone senior for the Lady Scots this season, and Bradley is proud of her perseverance and resilience. He said she was the leader of the team, serving by example and using her “positive attitude and wonderful smile.”
“We will miss her, but any success that we accomplish moving forward is a result of the example she has set for our program,” Bradley said.
Bradley was proud of the team overall, saying that despite the youth they played hard and competed all year.
“I have been coaching a long time, but this was one of the most fun seasons I have had with a group,” Bradley said. “They came to practice every day ready to get better, and they got along with each other. I am really excited to see what they can achieve moving forward.”
