Section play is coming to an end for the girls basketball team and they have their eyes set on next year.

The Highlanders lost Monday night to section foe Hempfield, leaving them with one section game remaining and out of the playoffs.

Sophomore Lexi Bernotas said the players must remain positive as they close out this season with momentum that will carry in to next season.

“We need to close out the year strong and then move on from this year. We just need to improve our skills like shooting and communicating with each other,” Bernotas said.

The team returns every player next year after being one of the youngest teams in the section this year, with a squad composed of mostly sophomores.

“Next year we are going to be more experienced and a lot better,” Bernotas said.

The Highlanders face Bethel park in their last section game on Thursday before finishing the season against Ringgold on Monday.