Six three pointers for the High Point Wildcats just weren’t enough as the West Morris Highlanders sealed up another win, 54-43.

Exceptional performances by Shayna Ericksen and Julia Scanlon helped the Highlanders rack up another big conference victory. Leanna Tallamy and Alayna Donadio led the Wildcats as they fall to 14-3.

The first quarter began with a lot of pressure at both ends of the court. After Ericksen was able to win the tip off, the first two minutes of the game were filled with great defensive plays from both teams.

The first points of the game came from Jess Poole who was able to drive from the baseline to the basket for the layup. Multiple fouls from the Wildcats gave the Highlanders many opportunities to maintain possession and score points. A three pointer from Ally Tank put West Morris ahead 11 to 2, midway through the opening quarter. High Point called a timeout to regroup and after the girls came back onto the court, Scanlon was able to steal the inbound pass and drive to the basket, getting the foul called as she went up for the points.

The last minute of the quarter, however, the Wildcats were able to make a push as Alayna Donadio and Taylor Smith hit consecutive three pointers to close out the quarter, 13-8.

To start of the second, Scanlon was able to make a layup a three point play after a foul by High Point’s Kirstyn Connors. Following this, Alisa Greco and Ericksen were both able to score, stretching the Highlanders lead even further.

After this however, the Wildcats were able to gain some momentum after Alayna Donadio sank a foul shot and the defense came up with big plays to stop a pressing West Morris side. A three pointer by Jess Ciesla and a layup by Eleni Chrysanthopoulos helped High Point become within reach of the Highlanders. The final score of the half was 22 to 17, in favor of West Morris.

An evenly matched battle between the two teams became apparent in the third quarter as both teams were able to excel on offense and defense. Lots of possession from each team was the key for setting up plays to get those big points, as proven by High Point. Almost thirty seconds of passing around the key, trying to find an open player, resulted in a three pointer by Smith. On the other side of the court however, West Morris was making big plays too. After a layup by Ericksen off a pass from Greco, Scanlon was able to knock down a three pointer. Tough play continued for the rest of the quarter and at the end, the score was 36-28.

The final quarter made a difference for the Highlanders as they scored their most points then. A lot of Ericksen-Greco and Ericksen-Scanlon connections allowed West Morris to rack up the points. The final score was 54 to 43 in favor of the Highlanders, even though the Wildcats put up a fight. Ericksen finished the day with 23 points.

*Note: Age Orlando of West Morris turned 18 today, the same day that Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow- indicating six more weeks of winter