The Hamilton Heights girls basketball team dropped a tough game to Lafayette Jefferson on Thursday, 42-39.
While it was disappointing to drop their final regular-season contest and have to end a 10-game win streak, the Class 3A No. 10 Huskies have bigger things to look forward to. Heights’ next game is in the post-season, as it travels to Blackford on Wednesday to take on the host Bruins in the first round of Class 3A Sectional 24.
But first was a meeting with a Bronchos team that entered the Husky Dome Thursday at 19-1 and is receiving votes in the 4A poll. Jeff was the 12th 4A team that Heights has played this season, which coach Keegan Cherry said is intentional.
“It should, and I hope it does,” said Cherry when asked if playing so many 4A teams would help his Huskies gain confidence entering the post-season. Heights went 7-5 against 4A opponents during the regular season.
“We built this schedule this season for that very reason, and that was to prepare for the tournament,” said the coach. “Like I told the girls, we didn’t lose a sectional. All of our post-season goals are still obtainable. We need to be confident. We don’t let size of school ever enter into that locker room. We expect to win whoever we’re playing.”
The Bronchos led 12-7 after the first quarter, with the Huskies trimming the lead to 18-15 by halftime. Heights got within one point a couple times during the final minute of the game, but just couldn’t get over the hump.
“I think we did a lot of things well,” said Cherry. “Our margin for error is not great. You go 9-of-18 from the foul line, we miss a lot of buckets around the basket that we should convert, that we’ve got to convert. If you’re going to beat a team like Lafayette Jeff, who’s lost one game on the season, you got to do those little things.”
Bayleigh Runner led the scoring with 22 points. Ana Collar had seven rebounds and made five steals, while Lauryn Wiley blocked two shots.
Heights finished the regular season with a 16-7 record.
Lafayette Jefferson 42, Heights 39
Heights FG FT TP PF
Ana Collar 1-4 0-5 2 2
Bayleigh Runner 7-10 6-7 22 3
Kayla Kirtley 2-13 0-1 5 1
Lexi Branham 1-6 2-4 5 2
Lauryn Wiley 2-5 1-1 5 1
Payton Dissett 0-0 0-0 0 1
Totals 13-38 9-18 39 10
Score by Quarters
Jeff 12 6 12 12 – 42
Heights 7 8 12 12 – 39
Heights 3-point shooting (4-15) Runner 2-5, Kirtley 1-7, Branham 1-3.
Heights rebounds (17) Collar 7, Kirtley 3, Branham 3, Wiley 3, Dissett 1.
Hamilton Heights seniors Kayla Kirtley, Ana Collar and Lexi Branham, shown here during Tuesday’s Senior Night, led the Huskies to a 16-7 record during the regular season. Heights plays at the Blackford starting this coming Wednesday, taking the host Bruins. (Photo provided)