By Mike Zummo

The opening game of the Wallkill Holiday Tournament was a difficult one for the Highland girls’ basketball team.

The Huskies were shut out in the second quarter and outscored by 22 points as the Pine Bush Bushmen ran off a 70-27 victory on Saturday afternoon at Wallkill Senior High School.

Highland will return to Wallkill High School on December 30 to face the Valley Central Vikings in the consolation game. The Vikings were beaten by the Wallkill Panthers, 65-36, in the other opening round game.

Ketura Rutty led the Bushmen with a game-high 31 points, while Jah-esa Stokes added 18.

Leticia Watson scored 10. Pine Bush will face the Panthers in the championship game.
Grace Koehler led the Huskies with 16 points.

It was the second game in as many days for the Huskies, who had beat Spackenkill, 36-24, on Friday at Spackenkill High School. Samantha Calahan scored 13 points and Koehler added 10.

The Huskies also lost Deanna Barry and Ciara Teamer to injury on Friday, and they were unavailable on Saturday.

Blythe McQuade scored 11 points for the Spartans.

Koehler scored 23 points as the Huskies opened the week with a 71-34 win over Ellenville on December 12.

Deanna Barry added 10 points.

Naveah Ramos led Ellenville with 11 points.