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The loss the Highland girls suffered in the first game of the WIAA Division 5 Regionals did nothing to dim the respect they gained because of their competitive hearts.
"I am so proud of the girls," Highland coach Josh Tarrell said after Riverdale slipped past the hard working Cardinals 60-50. "You hear coaches say their teams left it all out on the floor....well these girls did that tonight. What is impressive is they played their best basketball at the end of the season."
They also battled hard against a distinct size advantage with some strong post play by freshman Katelyn Esser who spent the night fighting for rebounds and scoring 11 points.
Meg Terrill came off the bench to nail five three pointers and led Highland with 17 points.
Steady senior Madalyn Drury finished her career with a dozen points, which included a pair of three pointers and four of four free throws.
Forces for the Lady Chieftains were Tess Johnson who led the way with 29 points which included a 19 for 20 free throw performance. Makayla Mau scored from both inside and long range with her 15 points that included a trio of threes.
"Tess had a heck of a night," Tarrell said. "Mau was tough but we held one of their three point shooters, Madison Couey to three points and no treys."
The game was the last for Highland four year performers Madison Drury and Megan Mueller.
"They were always contributing and gave our program four good years," Tarrell said. "They certainly will be missed."
The Cardinals finished 7-14 overall and 3-5 in the Six Rivers West.
SCORE BY HALVES
Highland 20 30 50
Riverdale 26 34 60
BOX SCORE
HIGHLAND 50: (fg-ft-tp) M. Mueller 0-0-0, M. Kosharek 0-0-0, Tarrell 6-0-17, Esser 4-3-11, C. Kosharek 4-0-8, K. Mueller 0-0-0. Drury 3-4-12, Welsh 1-0-2. Totals 18-7/11-50. Fouls-23 Fouled out-Tarrell
RIVERDALE 60: Couey 1-1-3, Tess Johnson 5-19/20-29, Mau 6-0-15, Klebesadel 0-2-2, Hach 2-0-5, Noble 1-0-2, Tatum Johnson 2-0-4. Totals 17-22/29-60. Fouls-15 fouled out-Tatum Johnson
3 point goals:
H-Tarrell 5, Drury 2
R-Mau 3, Hach 1