The Pekin girls basketball team came up short against Highland on Friday, January 2nd, falling 40–31 in a regular season conference matchup played at the Casey’s Center in Des Moines.
Highland jumped out to an early lead, taking an 11–6 advantage after the first quarter. Pekin struggled to score late in the period, going the final four minutes without a basket. Carlie Gambell and Abby Guise accounted for all six Panther points in the opening frame.
Pekin found more offensive rhythm in the second quarter, trimming the deficit to 22–17 at halftime. Gambell led the way with four points in the quarter, while Guise added four and Maddy Petrehn knocked down a three to keep the Panthers within striking distance.
The Panthers continued to battle in the third quarter, outscoring Highland 9–8 to cut the margin to 30–26 entering the final period. Gambell, Anna Hadley, and Guise all contributed during the quarter as Pekin’s defense kept the game close.
Early in the fourth, Gambell hit a basket to pull Pekin within one at 30–29, but the Panthers struggled to finish down the stretch. Pekin managed just five points in the final quarter as Highland closed the game on a strong run to secure the 40–31 win.
Highland was led by Kamryn Fink with 11 points and improved to 9–1 on the season. Pekin dropped to 4–4 overall and in conference play.
Pekin Individual Stats
- Carlie Gambell: 12 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 2 steals
- Abby Guise: 11 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
- Anna Hadley: 5 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals
- Maddy Petrehn: 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 steal
- Ezra Parsons: 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal
Also seeing action off the bench were Mya Glick, Addison Smith, Taylor Moore, and Kendra Schultz.
Team Stats
Pekin shot 11-of-33 from the field, 3-of-14 from three-point range, and 6-of-11 at the free throw line. The Panthers finished with 27 rebounds, eight assists, 10 steals, and 24 turnovers. Highland went 15-of-46 from the field, 4-of-21 from three, and 6-of-12 at the line, while outrebounding Pekin 35–27.
Coach’s Perspective
Following the game, Pekin head coach Neil Hartz said his team showed growth despite the result.
“I thought we played well for 28 minutes,” Hartz said. “The last four minutes we let get away from us with some turnovers and gave up some offensive rebounds that hurt us. I thought our defense took care of Highland for the most part.”
Hartz added that the Panthers continue to make progress as the season moves forward.
“We are definitely making good progress as the season is going on, so we just keep building and it will get going. It’s there for us to take — we just need to go get it,” he said.
Pekin returns to action on Tuesday, January 6th, when the Panthers travel to Winfield-Mount Union.
Photography courtesy of Pekin Schools.
