Friday night, the Highland Huskies welcomed the Pekin Panthers to Riverside for a Senior Night basketball doubleheader. The newly minted Southeast Iowa Superconference North Division Champion Highland girls celebrated their seniors in a 59-33 win. The Huskies doubled up the Panthers 14-7 in the first and led 28-19 at the half. A 19-8 Highland run in the third stretched the advantage to 48-27 and gave the Huskies the win. Highland out shot Pekin 36-24%, won rebounding 53-29, assists 19-5, steals 17-10 and turnovers 28-17. Kamryn Fink added to her collection of double doubles at 14 points and 15 rebounds to go with six steals. Hailey Brun added 14 points and Katelyn Thomann and Emersyn Schultz five assists each. Head coach Jody Fink joined the KCII Radio Coaches Corner Saturday to talk about his seniors. “Emersyn Schultz, Kenzie Davis and Emily Herrig mean a ton to the program. Leadership-wise, one of them was talking with me the other day and said ‘This is the best team I have ever been on. I love this team!’. They get along with each other and have been great together. They have done whatever is asked. They work for each other. Over the last four years they have done a great job. I’m proud of them and love all three of them.”

Anna Hadley had a 10 point 10 rebound double double for Pekin. The Highland girls are 17-2 and undefeated in Superconference play. Pekin is 10-9.

The boys dropped their contest with the Panthers 76-32. Pekin rolled early, up 23-7 after one and 46-15 at half. The Panthers won the second half 30-17 to seal the win. Pekin out shot Highland 52-28%, won rebounding 33-30, assists 14-8, steals 18-5 and turnovers 25-6. Cole Millikin led Pekin with 17 points. Highland’s top number was 12 from Bryce Hazelett. Head coach Bill Zywiec joined the KCII Radio Coaches Corner to talk about his seniors. “Just a great group of kids. We have five seniors who have been with the program for four years. They made a commitment to the team and to Highland. Their leadership has been very positive for us!”

The win moved Pekin to 16-3 as Highland fell to 2-16. In total the Huskies honored Mackenzie Davis, Emersyn Schultz, Emily Herrig, Brayden Zywiec, Bryce Hazelett, Elvin Hernandez, Jesse Thompson and Brody Sobolik during Senior Night ceremonies.