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When you have a pair of inside players breaking loose for 21 points each and a third player who spends the night getting them the basketball your attack is pretty solid.
Junior guard Meg Tarrell, who also netted 11 points to become a third double figure scorer for Highland, spent the night getting the ball to Rachel Miller and Katelyn Esser who put in 21 each. That was enough to power the Cardinals to a 63-56 win over host Hillsboro.
The non-conference game was a COVID story as both teams had opponents cancel due to the virus. Highland was originally set to play River Ridge but when that was shut down a call was made to Hillsboro who still had officials scheduled so the game was on.
The next night the Cardinals were to host Shullsburg but COVID concerns struck again.
Both Miller and Esser totaled 13 each the first half which got the Cardinals out to a 35-26 lead.
Tarrell contributed five first half points and added six in the final 18 minutes.
The Tigers also had a trio of double figure scorers with Matia Liska leading with 15, Kyra Bisarek with 13 and Camryn Hanson with 11. Liska netted 10 with Bisarek and Hanson nine the second half to keep the Tigers close.
"We got our offense going right away," said Highland coach Josh Tarrell. "Katelyn and Rachel had great performances and Meg did a great job of getting them the ball and providing leadership."
"We were able to hold on when Hillsboro stayed close the second half," Tarrell said. "Overall we shot well and did a good job on the offensive boards."
The Cardinals also forced several turnovers which resulted in some scores.
"It was our first game so we were a little sloppy," Tarrell said. "It was good to be able to get out on the court and play."

SCORE BY HALVES
Highland 35 28 63
Hillsboro 26 30 56
BOX SCORE
HIGHLAND 63: (fg-ft-tp) James 1-2-4, Drury 0-0-0, Mueller 2-0-4, Meg Tarrell 3-4-11, Ma. Fredericks 1-0-2, Esser 8-4-21, Miller 8-0-21 Totals 23-10/16-63 Fouls-13
HILLSBORO 56: Wallace 0-0-0, Britzke 1-0-2, Holthe 2-0-4, Mitchell 3-0-7, Bisarek 5-1-13, Liska 3-5-15, Hanson 3-3-11, Falkenstein 1-0-2, Marren 1-0-2. Totals 20-10/12-56 Fouls-18
3 point goals:
Highland (7)-Miller 5, Esser 1, Me. Tarrell 1
Hillsboro (6)-Bisarek 2, Liska 1, Mitchell 1, Hansen 2