Heights cruises by Belleville

Wisconsin Heights’ girls basketball team headed to Marshall Tuesday night. And with a win, the Vanguards could move into a first place tie in the Southern Capitol Conference. That’s because Heights rolled past Belleville, 71-52, last Thursday and stayed within one game of first place Marshall in the league. Heights improved to 3-1 in the conference and 7-7 overall. Marshall, which has won back-to-back WIAA Division 3 state championships, is currently 4-0 in the league and 11-4 overall. The Vanguards stayed on the Cardinals’ heels with an impressive win over Belleville. Miranda Keith had a game-high 20 points and seven rebounds, while Ashlee Adler had 10 points, five rebounds and six assists. Jada Wood added 10 points and Sydney Duhr had nine points. “We had a few too many unforced turnovers trying to force the ball inside,” Heights coach Bill Sullivan said. “But overall, it was our most complete game of the year.” The Vanguards jumped to a quick 15-5 lead behind eight early points from Keith. Belleville closed within 16-15, but Heights finished the half on a sizzling 26-9 run and grabbed a 42-24 lead at the break. Wood drilled a pair of three-pointers during that burst and Natalie Hering hit a runner at the halftime buzzer. Belleville closed within 51-38 early in the second half. Adler scored six straight points, though, to push the lead back to 57-38 and Heights cruised from there. The Vanguards finished the game with 14 offensive rebounds and had 36 points in the paint. “We did a nice job of sharing the basketball throughout the game with 22 assists as 10 girls scored,” Sullivan said. • JV: The Vanguards had a pair of impressive wins last week. Heights defeated visiting Cambridge, 57-19, then went on the road and cruised past Waterloo, 74-19. “The last two games the girls have put together two really solid games both on the defensive and offensive side of the ball,” Sullivan said. “All the girls are continuing to improve each game and taking advantage of minutes they get.” • On deck: After facing Marshall Tuesday, Heights hosts New Glarus Friday at 7:30 p.m.   WISCONSIN HEIGHTS 71, BELLEVILLE 52 Belleville ................ 24 28 — 52 Heights ................... 44 27 — 71 BELLEVILLE — Shrader 2 0-0 5, Foley 4 1-2 9, Grady 1 1-2 3, Grefsheim 1 0-0 2, Stampfl 0 1-4 1, Smith 5 2-2 12, Caskey 1 0-0 2, Campbell 2 2-3 8, Kittleson 3 2-2 10. Totals 19 9-15 52.  WISCONSIN HEIGHTS — Teela 1 0-0 2, Adler 3 3-4 10, Keith 9 2-2 20, Handel 1 2-2 4, Hering 3 2-5 8, Wood 3 0-0 8, VanRiper 1 1-2 3, Duhr 4 1-2 9, King 2 1-2 5, Mickelson 1 0-0 2. Totals 28 12-19 71. 3-point goals: B 5 (Shrader 1, Campbell 2, Kittleson 2); WH 3 (Adler 1, Wood 2). Fouls: B 16; WH 15.