The Hamilton Heights girls basketball team gave a tough battle to the No. 1-ranked team in Class 3A when the Huskies met Twin Lakes last Saturday in the semi-finals of the La Porte semi-state.
Heights held a halftime lead before the Indians came back in the second half to beat the Huskies 51-44. Heights led 14-6 after one quarter; Kaylee Rhoton helped out by making two 3-pointers.
Both teams then scored 10 points in the second quarter, so the Huskies maintained their lead at 24-16 at halftime. The Indians began their comeback in the third quarter by scoring 20 points, and thus the game was tied at 36-36 going into the fourth. Twin Lakes then outscored Heights 15-8 in the final quarter.
“Really proud of our locker room,” said Heights coach Keegan Cherry. “We left it on the floor with no regrets. We executed and played a great first half.” The coach said that foul trouble impacted his team in the second half “and really forced us into a tough spot. Twin Lakes is a nice team and they made plays when they needed to.”
Camryn Runner scored 12 points for the Huskies, while Ella Hickok and Katie Brown both had nine points. Rhoton finished with eight, Hadleigh Cherry had four and Kassidy Shackel scored two points.
Heights finished its season 20-6 and won its second regional title in school history; the Huskies won their first in 2013.
“It was a special season,” said Keegan Cherry. “Our girls have lots to be proud of. Especially grateful for our seniors.” The coach thanked Rhoton, Jocelyn Wolfgang and manager Carley Koors for their “dedication and sacrifice to the program.”