There will be no state tournament berth for Highland Park’s girls basketball team in 2026.
Looking to build on last year’s run to the regional finals, the Lady Scots were instead eliminated in the bi-district round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs by Frisco Heritage, 68-44.
A slow start spelled the end for HP as Heritage raced out to a commanding 28-4 advantage at halftime.
“Obviously, we’re very disappointed,” said Todd Monsey, HP head coach. “Nobody wants the season to end and we really wish we could keep playing. We had a very rough start, though. That’s certainly not the way we planned on starting the game.”
Monsey noted HP miscues coupled with a relentless Heritage squad created a deficit just too big to overcome.
“They played extremely well and really represented themselves well,” Monsey said. “But I don’t feel like we gave a very good representation of who we are. Those things happen in sports.”
Still, HP displayed the fight Monsey had come accustomed to seeing throughout the season.
The Lady Scots played Heritage even over what proved to be a high-flying final two quarters, trimming the deficit down to 18 at 54-36 with 4:26 remaining, but not any closer.
“When you face a deficit and a challenge like that, you have to make a choice,” Monsey said. “We chose to fight and be true to who we are and we were able to make a little run. I was very proud of the girls for that.”
With Monday’s win, Heritage advances to the area round and a date with the winner between Prosper Walnut Grove and Lufkin.
