MARYSVILLE — Good defense and strong supporting performances have made the Highland Christian girls a more formidable team as the season has progressed.

Though the teams have similar records, Highland Christian wrapped up a solid conference victory, defeating the Lady Hawks of Tulalip Heritage 43-33 at home Feb. 3.

The Heritage girls were without a field goal in the first quarter and held to nine first-half points.

On the other side of the ball, Highland Christian freshman guard Sarah Tummler seemed to have little difficulty making her shots, reeling off 10 first-half points, all from the field. She finished with 11 points, joining senior Chelsey Graber, who had 18, in double figures.

With a 30-16 lead going into the fourth quarter, the Hawks’ 17 points there proved insufficient to pull off the comeback. Tulalip’s Shawnee Enick had six points in the fourth quarter and two treys before that to lead the Hawks with 12 points.