Basketball can be a funny game.
No matter what style of defense a team plays, and no matter how adept that team is at guarding their opposition, there are times when an opponent is just red-hot from the field.
Highlands was scorching in the second round of the NC High School Athletic Association 1-A state playoffs on Thursday night. The Highlanders put up points in bunches en route to an 83-61 victory over Langtree Charter.
“On the offensive end of the floor we were getting the kind of shots we wanted, and to their credit our girls didn’t miss when they got a good look,” Highlands head coach Jacob Page said. “Because (Langtree Charter) was playing zone, it forced us to make some outside shots and Jordan (Carrier) and Hayley (Borino) both knocked down a few threes early.”
Highlands figured out Langtree’s two-three zone in the first quarter behind hot shooting from Carrier, Borino and Kedra McCall. The home team built a 22-14 lead after eight minutes and never looked back.
By halftime Highlands’ lead had ballooned to 45-29 and the Lions were left scratching their heads on defense. The visitors tried multiple different strategies to get a stop in the second half, but to no avail. Whether the visitors played two-three zone, one-two-two zone, man-to-man or full court press, Highlands was up to the challenge.
“They tried some different looks, but our girls stayed patient and took what was open,” Page said. “We were able to get out in transition and run a little bit, which led to easy baskets. The great thing was we were moving the ball and everyone had opportunities to score.”
The Highlanders led by as many as 25 points in the second half, which allowed Page to find playing time for every player on the roster.
Carrier paced Highlands with 23 points in the win. McCall added 20 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Borino finished with 15 points and Julia May Schmitt added nine.
Adaje Williams, the Lions’ leading scorer on the season, emerged as the visitors top offensive threat with 27 points and nine rebounds. Tyaysia Sharpe added 17 points in the loss.
Highlands advanced to play Alleghany in the third round of the bracket with the win. That contest was originally scheduled for Saturday, but was pushed back to Monday night due to inclement weather.
Alleghany 50, Highlands 46
Highlands got off to its third consecutive good start in the postseason at Alleghany on Monday night, but the home team eventually rallied for a 50-46 win.
The Highlanders led 11-8 after the first quarter and were deadlocked at 22-22 at the halftime break before the Trojans gained the upper hand. The teams were tied with less than a minute to play, but a late bucket and a pair of free throws sealed the victory for Alleghany.
Highlands finished the season 17-12 overall and claimed the Little Smoky Mountain Conference regular season and tournament championships.
Alleghany advances to play Mitchell in the NCHSAA 1-A West semifinals on Wednesday.