Highland Park’s girls basketball team qualified for the playoffs for the third consecutive year in 2026, and some of the best players in District 12-5A helped it earn a spot.
Members of HP’s squad were recognized recently for their performances on the hardcourt with places on the all-district team. The honorees include a trio of first-teamers.
Senior Kate Danner’s selection to the top team caps off a standout career at Highland Park. The San Diego signee scored more than 1,250 points during her tenure with the Lady Scots.
In district, Danner averaged more than 17 points per game, including multiple 30-point outbursts.
But it was her toughness that drew praise from head coach Todd Monsey.
“She really battled through injury all year for us and was still able to make an incredible impact,” he said. “She just battled and battled and continued to tough it out. And the times when her body was feeling a little better, you could see her play take off even more.”
Another senior garnering first-team honors is post Cate Young.
In her final campaign with the Lady Scots, Young pulled down 900 rebounds — quite the uptick from the 24 she was credited with as a freshman.
Oddly enough, though, it was Young’s ball-handling that may have had the biggest impact on HP’s success.
“For a 5 to be able to handle pressure and bring the ball up and initiate the offense, it’s just such a luxury to have,” Monsey said. “Cate has been the anchor of our team for a few years now, and she has a great grasp of what we’re looking to accomplish both offensively and defensively. She helps fill holes you aren’t even aware are there because she has such a high basketball IQ.”
While Danner and Young will be moving on, first-teamer Ellington Heis still has one more year left with HP.
The junior guard combined with Danner to form a dynamic one-two scoring punch for the Lady Scots. Monsey is hopeful for even more strides from Heis as a senior.
“She really made a huge jump from the end of her sophomore year to her junior year and I’m looking for her to continue doing so,” he said. “She could really carry us not only offensively, but with her defensive intensity.”
Second team all-district selections from the Lady Scots are junior guards Palmer Jones and Mimi McMahan.
Monsey praised Jones, a point guard, for her ability to run multiple sets and control the tempo offensively. He described McMahan as HP’s biggest surprise in 2026. She was often tasked with guarding the best opposing player.
Rounding out HP’s selections with honorable mention nods are senior captain and forward Avery Sambrano and junior guard Sterling Williams. The pair brought energy to the floor any time they were inserted in the game.
“We had a great season,” Monsey said. The Lady Scots (22-12) finished in a tie for second place in District 12-5A (10-4), qualifying for the 5A Division I playoffs where they were eliminated in the bi-district round by Frisco Heritage.
“We’re certainly excited about the players we have coming back next year,” he added, “and to see what we can accomplish.”
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