The Highland Women's Basketball team caps off an undefeated season winning the Region VI Division II Tournament over Johnson County Community College 71-51, earning them a trip to the NJCAA National Tournament.
 
It was a tight contest throughout the first quarter as Highland played well defensively but was unable to convert some easy buckets on the offensive end and the Scotties led 23-18 after the first quarter.
 
Highland started to make some shots in the second quarter and continued to play their high intensity, unyielding defense forcing 16 first half turnovers and taking a 38-30 lead into the locker room at the half.
 
As with most games throughout the season, the third quarter was the difference maker in the game. Highland out-scored the Cavaliers 17-9 in the third to extend their lead to 55-39 going into the final 10 minutes.
 
Highland continued to press the issue with the Cavaliers leading by as much as 28-points with 6:48 to play in the game. The Cavs would make some late baskets to cut into the large Highland lead but it wouldn't be enough as Highland went onto win by a spread of 20-points, 71-51 to win the Region VI Tournament Championship.


Kamryn Lemon played one of her best games of the season shooting the ball 5-6, three of those from three and finishing with 15 points to lead all scorers. Blaize Burgess put on a clinic from behind the arc going 4-5 from deep and scoring 14 points in the game. Berniezha Tidwell scored 12 points and grabbed three steals while Stefania Chiziane finished with 11 points and five rebounds. Mariane De Caravalho finished with eight points, six rebounds and two blocks.
 
Niccolly Ramalho broke the schools single season assist record with 161 assists this season. She dished out five in the championship game while scoring three points and grabbing six rebounds.
 
The Highland bench contributed big as they scored 40 of the overall 71 points in the game. Highland forced 28 Cavalier turnovers and scored 30 points off of steals.
 
This was the third victory this season over Johnson County Community College, who was NJCAA National Runner-up one year ago.
 
Highland has now reached their third National Tournament in school history, all coming in the last seven seasons under head coach BJ Smith.
 
The Scotties will wait for their tournament seeding and look forward to competing at the  NJCAA Division II National Tournament in Harrison, AR from March 20-24, 2018.