Gilbert's girls basketball team continued its unbeaten ways Friday night in power-ranking games and region play as the Tigers jumped on rival Highland in the opening period and never let up in a 52-32 triumph at Highland.

The Cavinder twins -- sophomores Haley and Hanna -- led the way with perimeter contributions early that helped stake Gilbert (15-2 overall, 3-0 region) to a 17-6 advantage after the first period. Haley scored a game-high 19 points and Hanna added 13. Their total equaled Highland's output as a team for the evening.

Gilbert is 9-0 in power rankiing game and entered the contest No. 2 in the rankings behind No. 1  Hamilton. Gilbert is focused on making a deeper run at postseason this year. Last year the Tigers bowed to eventual champ Hamilton in the quarterfinals.

"We have people who can score so our emphasis heading to February is playing good defense," Gilbert coach Kyle Pedersen said. "We're concentrating hard on the details of playing defense."

Gilbert limited Highland to single digits in the first three quarters and were especially tough on the interior. Highland had a very rough night shooting. The Hawks made 8 of 50 attempts from the field (16 percent). They began the game 2-for-17 and 0-for-6 from three-point range. Alyssa Navarrete led Highland with seven points.

Highland (14-7, 3-1 region) has struggled offensively much of the season, yet still has won two-thirds of its games. The Hawks were No. 6 in the latest power-rankings and are 8-3 in those games.

"We can't score," Highland coach Miner Webster said. "It's been a consistent problem. We get stuck on a number, and can't get untracked. Gilbert played good defense against us, but at the same time we had some good looks and shots. We couldn't hit any.

"It seem at times and maybe tonight was one of those where we try too hard. We squeeze it instead of just shooting it."

Brandi Cavinder and Haley Cavinder opened the game sinking 3s to put Gilbert up quickly, 6-0. Hanna Cavinder added another trey later in the quarter which finally made believers of Highland defenders. Highland played better and tighter defensively on the perimeter he rest of the way, but Gilbert found other avenues to score. Post player Tiffany Hurd came off the bench to score six points, connecting on three of 4 shots she took. Hurd is averaging nearly 11 rebounds a game, her primary contribution to the Tigers.

Highland never trimmed the deficit to less than 10 after the first period and the Hawks waved the white flag early in the fourth as the lead reached 22 points.

Gilbert takes on another region title contender in it next game. The Tigers host Mountain Pointe Tuesday (Jan. 17).