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Two runs by the highly ranked Wauzeka-Steuben girls basketball team did not result in a lot of points for the Hornets but they were enough to help them eliminate Highland 59-50 in their WIAA Division 5 Sectional semi-final Thursday.
The first run came six minutes into the first half and lasted until the Cardinals scored on a Harper Drury free throw at the eight minute mark. That took W-S's lead from 11-10 to a seven point difference.
To their credit the Cardinals fought back and caught the Hornets at 21-all on a Katelyn Esser three pointer and then got a two pointer from Meg Tarrell to grab a 23-21 lead. The lead was short lived as the Hornets outscored the Cardinals 8-2 the rest of the half to get up 29-25 at the half.
The second run came after two free throws from Rachel Miller at 7:27 with the Hornets leading 43-36. The run netted seven points for the Hornets and put them up 50-36 with five minutes left.
The last seven points by the Hornets came at the free throw line as the Cardinals had to foul to try and get the ball.
When it was over coach Josh Tarrell felt the defense came through with the game plan but the offense went through a period of not having the confidence needed with the shooting.
"We struggled some putting the ball in the basket," Tarrell said. "We were able to get the shots we wanted but not the makes."
Defensively it was one of the best if not the best efforts of the season. One of the challenges was the need to hold down junior guard Maddy Reichmann who came in averaging 20.3 points per game, 7.8 rebounds and 2.9 assists. The job of stopping her was given to Meg Tarrell and was piled upon her point guard and scoring duties.
Meg was all over Reichmann and made her earn every one of her six baskets. She ended up with 16 points factoring in the four free throws she shot when the Cards had to stop the clock.
"Meg played the best defense she has all season," Tarrell said. "She didn't allow her a three pointer all night."
The idea, of course, was to let others take those shots and unfortunately the Hornets put in six three pointers.
"We took our chances," Tarrell said about letting other Hornets shoot. 'Making those threes hurt us."
"We played hard and the girls did what was asked of them but our shooting being a little off ended up to be the difference."
Katelyn Esser was Highland's scoring leader with 13 and Miller added 10. Meg Tarrell and Katelyn Mueller both contributed eight.
Reichmann's 16 was tops for W-S.
Getting to the Sectionals as the third team in Highland girls basketball history was a good achievement for a team without a senior.
"We had a good year and with everyone back, next year looks good too," Tarrell said. "The girls will have some work to do in the offseason but they like to play the game so I expect that will happen. We have great kids who are very good basketball players and will keep on getting better."
SCORE BY HALVES
Highland 25 25 50
Wauzeka/Steuben 29 30 59
BOX SCORE 
HIGHLAND 50: (fg-ft-tp) James 1-1-3, Drury 3-1-8, Dreischmeier 0-0-0, Mueller 3-0-8 Meg Tarrell 3-0-8, M. Fredericks 2-0-4, Esser 6-0-13, Miller 3-4-10, Maya Tarrell 0-0-0 Cody 0-0-0, Halverson 0-0-0, H. Fredericks 0-0-0 Totals 20-6/10-50 Fouls-22 Fouled out-Mueller, M. Fredericks
W-S 59: Walz 0-0-0, Ralph 3-5-14, Udelhofen 1-0-2, G. Groom 0-6-6, Mindham 3-0-8, Wielepski 1-0-2, Olsen 2-0-4, Reichmann 6-4-16, Hurda 0-0-0, Kramer 0-0-0, R. Groom 2-2-7 Totals 18-17/25-59 Fouls-11
3 point goals:
H-(4) Meg Tarrell 2, Drury 1, Esser 1
W/S-(6) Ralph 3, Mindham 2, Groom 1