POST FALLS - Post Falls High senior guard Brooke Litalien admitted to being a little nervous before the start of Saturday afternoon's girls basketball matchup between the top-ranked Trojans and the second-ranked Highland Rams of Pocatello at The Arena.

She did a good job of hiding it.

Litalien scored 11 of her 16 points in the first quarter and also finished with five rebounds as Post Falls defeated Highland 57-44 to improve to 11-0.

“After the tipoff, the nerves go away and you just get into the game,” Litalien said. “The team got really focused today and we were really determined. They’re a good team and we knew it was going to be tough, but we just came out and played hard.”

Litalien scored the first five points of the game, but Highland answered with a 12-0 run to take an early lead.

Post Falls outscored Highland 17-11 in the second quarter to increase their lead to 32-25 at halftime.

“Brooke scored and played good defense today,” Post Falls coach Marc Allert said. “She really got us going in the first half and calmed us down and gave us some confidence. That’s what she’s capable of doing.”

Post Falls used a 13-0 run to stretch its advantage to 41-25 with 4 1/2 minutes left in the third quarter. Highland got to within 47-41 with 3 minutes remaining, but the Trojans pulled away late to close out the game.

“I was really happy with how we responded,” Allert said. “That’s a very good team and they put us through some things we haven’t seen before. I thought our kids battled through it and saw what we’re capable of.”

Hallie Gennett had 17 points and 12 rebounds and Danielle Failor added seven points, 12 rebounds and four assists for Post Falls, which returns to action against Mountain View High of Vancouver, Wash., in the Archbishop Murphy Christmas tournament on Thursday in Everett, Wash.

“It’s nice to have a player like Hallie,” Allert said. “It’s good to have someone that can go and get her own shot and score within the offense. Sam Runkle also did a good job defensively. We kind of knew what we were going to get out of the starters, but needed everyone to step up and Sam did that today.”

Dakota Gonzalez scored 17 points and Dylan Gonzalez added 16 for Highland (8-2).

“They’re a good team,” Highland coach Tony Green said of Post Falls. “They’re solid in all five spots. They’re athletic, they’re quick and can move the ball. I thought we ran out of gas a little bit. We play similar styles and we were looking forward to this game, but we got into a bit of foul trouble and committed some silly fouls. Post Falls is a really good team and deserving of their record. Hopefully we can get better from this.”

Highland traveled to North Idaho on Thursday, losing 44-40 at Coeur d’Alene on Thursday night.

“They’re different teams, but solid in what they do,” said Green of Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls. “Both are well coached and have their own identity. Post Falls had a game plan and stuck to it and that’s a result of good coaching. We would have liked to have had played a little better and given them a bit more of a run in the fourth quarter today, but we just ran out of gas. Our girls fought hard to come back.”

After playing Coeur d’Alene a day earlier than scheduled, Green said his team relaxed on Friday.

“I asked the girls what they wanted to do and they said just ‘veg out,’” said Green, in his third year as Highland coach. “We went to the mall and just ate a lot. I think they were a little tired from the travel on Thursday and playing right away. But the trip was fun. It’s what we needed to do to face some good competition. They did a good job of taking care of us while we were here. It was a good trip and excellent time.”

With the Gonzalez twins on the team, Highland has finished third, third and fifth in the last three state tournaments, losing to Coeur d’Alene in the third-place game last year.

“They’re very well coached,” Allert said of Highland. “The twin girls (Dylan and Dakota Gonzalez, who have signed with Kansas) are very exceptional players. They play hard as a team and made a bit of a run in the fourth quarter and made things a lot more interesting.”

Highland 14 11 5 14 — 44

Post Falls 15 17 15 10 — 57

HIGHLAND — Dy. Gonzalez 16, Harding 0, Da. Gonzalez 17, Bauer 0, Van Sickle 9, Reed 2, Yizar 0, Hancock 0, Herrud 0.

POST FALLS — Allert 0, Gonzales 3, King 7, Meehan 0, Smith 4, Litalien 16, Gennett 17, Runkle 6, Failor 7, Perrin 0.