Highlands’ depth proved to be the difference in a 59-52 win over archrival Blue Ridge on Friday night. The Highlanders got contributions from 10 different players in the hard-fought contest, thanks in part to there not being a junior varsity game.
“Some of the guys who came off the bench and played significant minutes are my normal junior varsity starters,” Highlands head coach Kaitlin Bishop said. “If you play in a JV game, you’re only eligible to play one quarter in the varsity game the same night. With no JV tonight, those guys were able to play more minutes than usual and it really helped us.”
The Highlanders got off to a hot start on Senior Night. A basket by Nathan Keener put the home team ahead 14-4 at the end of the first quarter. Foul trouble started to take its toll on both teams in the second period as Blue Ridge climbed back in the game at the foul line.
Eric Puskarich scored four points in the final 40 second of the first half to cut the Bobcats deficit to 25-23 at the intermission.
Highlands guard JD Head caught fire to start the second half and ignited the home crowd with a one-man 6-0 run. Isaiah Vilardo capped the third quarter with a shot at the buzzer from near half court that found the mark and pushed the Highlanders ahead 42-32.
Blue Ridge closed within five points midway through the fourth quarter, but could pull no closer thanks to Highlands’ continued rotation of fresh players on the defensive end.
“At times it wasn’t a pretty game, but our guys battled the whole way,” Bishop said. “There are always things that you can clean up, but overall it was a good team win.”
Landon Green paced Highlands (4-13 overall) with 11 points. Vilardo and Head each added nine in the win.
Puskarich paced the Bobcats (2-14 overall) with 26 points in the defeat.
Highlands will be back in action on Friday at Hiawassee Dam. The Highlanders’ next home game will be Feb. 9 against Nantahala.
Girls Basketball
Highlands 52, Blue Ridge 20
Highlands dominated from the opening tip in a 52-20 win over Blue Ridge on Friday night. The Highlanders used a suffocating three-quarter court press on the defensive end to create early havoc and seize a 10-0 lead.
Taking advantage of the Bobcats’ tight 2-3 zone defense, Highlands played methodical offense and was able to create open looks from beyond the three-point arc. By halftime the home team’s lead was 30-10.
The second half was much of the same as Highlands maintained control.
Ezra Branham paced Highlands (13-5 overall) with 14 points in the win. Bella Wilson tallied 10 points and Riley Conner finished with eight.
Mercedes McLaughlin led Blue Ridge (5-12 overall) with six points. Mahalah Stewart added five in the defeat.