The top-seeded West Morris Highlanders took on eighth seeded Warren Hills Streaks in the quarterfinals of the state tournament. The Highlanders rolled out to an early 9-4 run, but the Streaks kept it close. With the final score of 44-38, the Streaks played close with the dominant West Morris squad, but Alisa Greco and Shayna Ericksen boosted the Highlanders to the semifinals of the North II Group III tournament.

After an early three point shot by Lindsey Schott to start off the game for the Streaks, the Highlanders found themselves behind for the first time in a while. The first Highlander point came from Ericksen off of a foul shot caused by Warren Hills’ Missy Detlaas. Julia Scanlon was able to add her own foul shot a little later and West Morris was finally able to go on a run after a Greco steal, a pass to Scanlon, who was able to put it up for the layup. Erica Swinton scored a foul shot for the Streaks to keep it at a one point game, but the Highlanders were truly able to break away after another Scanlon layup, a Greco layup and foul shot, and a Scanlon three pointer. The final score of the quarter was 15-7 after Ericksen was able to throw up a shot to beat the buzzer and put the Highlanders ahead by 8.

Much of the second quarter consisted of shots from each end of the court, with each team maintaining possession and scoring baskets. Greco was able to sink two foul shots before the Streaks came back with two baskets, one from Alyssa Zurio and Sam Winters. Soon after, a steal by Scanlon swung the momentum in the Highlanders’ favor. A three point play from Ally Tank and four points from Ericksen for West Morris along with a three pointer by Laura Flannery rounded off the score at halftime to 26-20, with the Highlanders leading.

A steal by Greco followed by a layup started off West Morris in the third quarter. Tank tagged along with a point of her own to get the Highlanders going again. Two Schott foul shots for Warren Hills didn’t stop West Morris as an assist from Jess Poole allowed an Ericksen layup and Scanlon was also able to feed a pass for Ericksen to score. The third quarter ended at 34-29.

The final quarter started in West Morris’ favor once again with a Mary Cabarle steal. The next points came from Tank who spun and threw a backwards layup into the hoop. Right after, Ericksen was able to sink a putback layup to give the Highlanders some early points. Flannery sank two foul shots in attempts to keep the Streaks in the game. The Highlanders lost a vital player when Scanlon fouled out with about two minutes left, but the girls will still able to stay ahead with help from Greco’s foul shots.

The final minute was tension-filled and enthralling, but West Morris was able to keep their lead and hold on for the quarterfinal win. Ericken and Greco’s performances truly made the difference in the game for the Highlanders, as the Warren Hills Streaks never gave up in the 44-38 loss. The semifinal game will be played at West Morris Central High School on Friday night at 7 against fifth-seeded Somerville.