Springfield Lanphier’s speed, pressure stop Highland in Class 3A super-sectional

All season, the Highland girls basketball team handled everything opposing teams threw at them.

The Lady Bulldogs, however, could not handle Springfield Lanphier’s speed and quickness Monday in the Class 3A Super-Sectional at the University of Illinois-Springfield and ultimately fell 57-46.

“They just sped us up and it’s hard to prepare for that kind of speed when you don’t see it every day,” Highland coach Clint Hamilton said. “We tried to simulate it in practice by having six or seven defenders on the floor and five going full-court, but it’s not the same as when you see it (in) live-action.”

Lanphier’s non-stop uptempo pace pretty much dominated from beginning to end. HHS could not get into a grove for more than a trip or two at a time during the game.

Highland’s shots also were not falling as HHS shot just 43 percent from the floor and hit just 1 of 9 from beyond the 3-point arc.

“It seemed like we were fighting an uphill battle the whole game,” Hamilton said.

Highland was victimized by turnovers in the first quarter as the Lions ran out to a 12-6 lead after the opening stanza. The Lady Bulldogs found themselves behind 26-20 at the half and 36-31 after three quarters.

“The looks we got we didn’t make,” Hamilton said. “I think we only made one 3-point shot all night and they were speeding us up and we weren’t necessarily set when we took some of our shots. You’ve got to give them some credit.”

Highland got as close as 43-39 with about four minutes to go.

But in the final three minutes, HHS was forced to foul and the Lions’ Martrese Brooks knocked down six free throws to end the Lady Bulldogs state playoff run. Brooks led the Lanphier with 17 points and Serenity Price chipped in 15 points.

“It was just kind of a momentum thing and we just couldn’t quite get over the hump,” Hamilton said.

Junior Bella LaPorta led Highland with a game-high 21 points and nine rebounds. Kirsten Taylor scored 10 points and Taylor Kesner scored five points and pulled down eight rebounds.

Highland finishes tremendous season with 27 wins

Leaving Springfield without a state tournament berth was not the desired outcome for Highland, which finished the season at 27-8. However, getting within one won of the state tournament is something that will stick well with this group of Lady Bulldogs for a long time to come.

“It kind of burns a little bit tonight (to have it end) because you wanted that chance to go to state but, when we look back and reflect, I think we’re gonna be pretty happy with how he year went,” Hamilton said.