Entering Wednesday’s crosstown rivalry game, the Pocatello and Highland girls’ basketball teams were on opposite ends of streaks.

    The Rams were a perfect 4-0, while the Indians had lost their last two after starting the season 3-0.

    The streaks would continue for both schools as Highland cruised to a 70-32 win over Pocatello.

    The Indians surprised Highland and jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the game’s opening minutes.

    Then Dylan Gonzalez got hot from the three point line hitting back-to-back shots to get Highland on the board.

    “It happens in a big game when you have some jitters,” Highland head coach Tony Green said of falling behind early. “It’s a matter of some layups falling for us early and they didn’t. We had some good looks early and that has been a theme for us this year.”

    Pocatello kept the game close in the opening quarter thanks in part to the play underneath the basket by senior Allie Parker. Parker accounted for six of the Indians first quarter points.

    The Rams blew the game open in the second quarter going on a 14-0 streak to take control of the game.

    Dylan and her sister Dakota and Makenzie VanSickle accounted for 23 of the Rams 27 second quarter points.

    But it was the Rams’ pressure defense that gave Pocatello so much trouble. Defenders jumped into the passing lanes forcing steals that in turn lead to fast break points for Highland.   

    Highland used its height to dominate the offensive glass to get three or four shot attempts on a possession.

     The Rams led 45-22 at the half.

    Pocatello continued its struggles in the second half, managing just seven third quarter points as the Rams’ pressure proved to be too much for them to overcome.

    The Gonzalez twins and VanSickle combined to score 48 of the Rams’ total points with Dylan Gonzalez scoring a game-high 20.

    Dakota Gonzalez scored 15 and VanSickle added 13.

    “Makenzie does so many things well that we like and we love her spark off the bench,” Green said. “I was prod of the way we played tonight.”

    Allie Parker led Pocatello with 15.

    Highland (5-0) hosts Hillcrest tonight at 7:30 p.m. While Pocatello (3-3) plays at Burley Saturday.