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By Levi Zimmerman
Consistency has been a problem for the Highland boys basketball team this year, and Thursday's Six Rivers West game against the number eight-ranked River Ridge Timberwolves was no different.
The opening half was promising for the host Cardinals, as they held River Ridge to just 11 points, while scoring 20.
The Timberwolves entered Thursday night averaging over 60 points per game, and they've been led by three players - David Nies, Braden Crubel, and Logan Drone - who have been averaging double figures in scoring.
Nies, a 6'5' senior, didn't play against Highland, as he's missed the last few games with an injury.
Eight of the Timberwolves' 11 first half points were scored by Drone.
Highland senior leading-scorer Max Oleson also scored eight points in the first half.
Fellow senior Weston Frost, who's stepped up in scoring in recent games, added a three-point field goal and a couple of free throws in the first.
Senior Lucas Welsh added four points.
The second half of play was a different story, however.
River Ridge came alive, especially offensively.
The Timberwolves out-scored the Cardinals, 46-25, in the second half and scored a 57-45 victory.
Crubel led the way, going for 15 points, including a three-pointer and six free throws; he ended with 17.
Drone scored 13, including three free throws to lead with 21 points.
David Nies' brother, 6'1' sophomore Matthew Nies, added eight points, including six free throws; he posted nine.
River Ridge knocked down 18 free throws in the second half.
On the other hand, Highland was scattered offensively, and turnovers were a problem.
The Cardinals also struggled to control the rebounding game, as there out-matched in height.
Frost and Welsh both had eight points to lead Highland in the second.
Frost led Highland for the game with 13 points, including three, three's.
Welsh had one of his highest-scoring games with 12.
Oleson followed with 11.
The Cardinals had just nine free throw attempts.
Highland head coach Shaun Reuter shared his thoughts.
"We had a great first half. Michael's (Esser) length at the top in our zone was causing problems for them," Reuter stated.
"The second half was a different story. We just had too many turnovers and were out-rebounded. I felt like we were scrambling once they started to press," he said.
"River Ridge is a team that knows how to win, and we just aren't there yet," Reuter stated. "I still feel like we're heading in the right direction."
With the loss, Highland moved back to .500, overall, at 8-8, and they fell below .500 in conference at 3-4.
The Cardinals are more than half-way through a six-game home stand.
They will look to get back on track Thursday, Jan. 27 when they host Shullsburg in another conference game at 7:30 p.m.
SCORE BY HALVES
River Ridge 11 46 57
Highland 20 25 45
BOX SCORE
RIVER RIDGE 57: (fg-ft-tp) Drone 9-3-21, Bunge 0-0-0, Crubel 5-6-17, Adrian 0-1-1, Clark 1-0-3, Gage 1-2-4, Cooley 1-0-2, Nies 1-7-9, Bausch 0-0-0. Totals- 18-19/30-57 Fouls- 8
HIGHLAND 45: Oleson 5-1-11, Esser 2-0-4, C. Frost 0-1-1, Healy 0-2-2, W. Frost 4-2-13, Br. Smith 1-0-2, Welsh 5-2-12. Totals- 17-8/9-45 Fouls- 18
3 point goals:
RR (2)- Crubel 1, Clark 1
HIGHLAND (3)- W. Frost 3