Highland rolls past Westlake to reach district final
| 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WOM | 25 | 22 | 18 | 7 | 72 |
| WES | 8 | 11 | 9 | 13 | 41 |
Highland used a dominant first half and a balanced scoring attack to cruise past Westlake 72-41 in a Division III, Northeast 5 District semifinal on Feb. 25 at Highland High School.
The Hornets effectively put the game out of reach in the opening 16 minutes, racing to a 25-8 lead after the first quarter and extending the margin to 47-19 by halftime. Highland’s pressure defense fueled the early surge, turning stops into transition opportunities and forcing Westlake to play from behind the rest of the night.
Highland continued to roll in the third quarter, outscoring Westlake 18-9 to push the advantage to 65-28 heading into the final eight minutes. With the outcome largely secured, the Hornets managed the clock and rotated through the bench in the fourth quarter, closing out the semifinal and securing a spot in the district championship game.
Rowan Kildoo led a deep Highland scoring chart, finishing with a game-high 19 points on a mix of interior finishes and perimeter looks. Three other Hornets reached double figures: Madi Morgan and Emeri Gausman each added 11 points, while Grace Shondel chipped in 10 to give Highland four players in double figures and keep Westlake’s defense off balance.
Highland’s depth was evident throughout the lineup. Sophia Madison scored 8 points, with Alaina Weingart adding 4 points in key stretches. Jordyn Caples and Kennedy Lawson each contributed 2 points, while Scarlet Gordon and Maddie Ricciuti added 2 and 3 points, respectively, as the Hornets maintained consistent scoring across all four quarters.
Defensively, Highland limited Westlake to single digits in three of the four quarters, including just 8 points in the first and 9 in the third. The Hornets’ ability to sustain defensive intensity while sharing the scoring responsibilities allowed them to control tempo from the opening tip and maintain command of the semifinal.
With the 72-41 victory, Highland advances to the Division III, Northeast 5 District final, carrying momentum from a convincing semifinal performance defined by balanced offense, pressure defense and a fast start.
