Highland boys go deep to beat Comets

When the bus ride is long you have to hope your team can get going from the start.

Five three pointers from five different players the first half provided the answer. Those three pointers along with some good ball sharing put Highland up 35-16 over the host Albany Comets.

The triples came courtesy of Michael Esser, Bennett Smith, Kaden Washa (off the bench), Jack Tarrell and John Dreischmeier.  

Add to that an 11 point first half from Wes Kraisinger in the paint and that put the Cardinals in complete control.

“We played well and were ready to go from the start,” said Highland coach Ryan Hill.  “We played together and did the little things well all night.”

The Cardinals went on to trim the Comets 73-38. Their defensive effort went a long way in coming out on top.

“The five threes the first half were big as was how Wes dominated the inside,” Hill said.  

Hill  said the rebounding also went in Highland’s favor.

“Michael Esser was a big rebounder and led us,”Hill said.

Kraisinger led the scoring for Highland with 25 points. Washa tallied 18 off the bench.  Esser finished the night with 10.

“Bennett Smith and Jack Tarrell shot well for us,” Hill said.  “Gavin Shemak gave us a lift off the bench and John Dreischmeier did a good job running the show.”

Kaden Zurfluh hit 14 to lead Albany and Ty Durtschi added 13.

SCORE BY HALVES 

Highland     35   38   73

Albany         16   22   38

BOX SCORE:

HIGHLAND 73: (fg-ft-tp) W. Kraisinger 10-5-25, K. Washa 7-0-18, M. Esser 3-3-10, B. Smith 3-0-8, J. Tarrell 2-0-5, J. Dreischmeier 1-0-3, G. Shemak 1-0-2, T. Aloisi 1-0-2, C. Hermanson 0-0-0, L. Thielorn 0-0-0, B. Nankey 0-0-0, H. Kelsey 0-0-0, K. Muck 0-0-0. Totals 28-8/12-73. Fouls- 9.

ALBANY 38: K. Zurfluh 6-1-14, T. Durtschi 5-1-13, C. Smith 2-0-5, L. Parker 2-0-4, N. Stokstad 1-0-2, C. Cole 0-0-0, T. Patchen 0-0-0, K. Parker 0-0-0, C. Pryce 0-0-0. Totals 16-2/5-38. Fouls- 8.

3 Point Goals:

HI- K. Washa 4, B. Smith 2, M. Esser 1, J. Tarrell 1, J. Dreischmeier 1.

AL- T. Durtschi 2, K. Zurfluh 1, C. Smith 1.