Timing was everything for Highlands in Tuesday night’s playoff victory over archrival Hiwassee Dam.
Playing for the fourth time this season, the Lady Highlanders knew there would be no secrets on the hardwood. Crucial buckets at critical moments propelled the home team to a 43-36 win in the opening round of the NC High School Athletic Association 1-A state playoffs.
“Obviously, they know all about us and we know all about them, so it was just going to come down to who executed better,” Highlands head coach Brett Lamb said. “It’s tough to beat any team four times in a season, especially a team with as much talent as (Hiwassee Dam) has.”
Both teams looked a little off kilter in the opening minutes as the game got underway at a very deliberate pace. Missed shots and turnovers plagued the first quarter as Highlands built an 8-4 advantage.
The visitors used their size advantage in the second period and got their offense rolling. A bucket by Olivia McNabb gave Hiwassee Dam a 19-18 lead at the halftime break.
“They did a really good job of slowing the game down in the first half, settling back into that 1-3-1 zone defense and rebounding the ball,” Lamb said. “In the second half we were able to use our defense to create some turnovers and that led to easier offensive opportunities in transition.”
Highlands regained the lead in the final seconds of the third quarter and never let go. With her team up 29-28, Bella Wilson knocked down a three-point bucket and started a string of clutch shots over the game’s final six minutes. Wilson scored eight of her game-high 19 points in the final 5:54.
“Bella hit a couple of really timely shots there in the fourth to answer scores on the other end,” Lamb said. “We were able to handle their press late in the game and we didn’t hurt ourselves by turning the ball over.”
Beatrice Bryson added eight points for the Highlanders. Aislynn Wyatt-Luck and Ezra Branham each tallied six points.
McNabb paced Hiwassee Dam with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Brinkley Payne added 10 points and 12 boards for a second Eagles double-double.
Highlands (19-6 overall) advances to play North Rowan on Thursday night in Spencer, NC. The Lady Highlanders and the Lady Cavaliers (19-8 overall) have nearly identical records. North Rowan defeated South Stokes in the opening round of the state playoffs.
“North Rowan is going to be a big test, but we’re still alive and we have a shot,” Lamb said. “You can’t be intimidated, you just have to go out and play your game.”