Highlands’ coaches Jacob Page and Brett Lamb were at work a little late on Friday. Making room in the school’s trophy case is considered an extracurricular activity.
Both Highlands varsity teams claimed Little Smoky Mountain Conference tournament championships on Feb. 19.
The boys’ game saw the Highlanders avenge a pair of regular season losses to league regular season champion Hiwassee Dam with a 51-32 victory.
Known for patient, deliberate offense and half-court zone defense, the Eagles got off to the start they wanted and built a 6-4 lead midway through the first quarter. Highlands responded with an 8-0 run to close the frame and grab the advantage.
A defensive adjustment in the second quarter allowed the Highlanders to gain some breathing room. The Highlands zone trap seemed to confuse the Eagles, who began rushing shots and turning the ball over.
“I thought if we could just get a lead that we could go into the zone and have some success, but the key to that was being in front early,” Highlands head coach Brett Lamb said. “We got a couple of batted balls, a few steals, and those led to transition points.”
Highlands led 31-15 at halftime and never looked back.
Reid Carrier paced Highlands with 18 points. Bill Miller and Brent Sleight each added eight points in the win.
Connor Davis paced Hiwassee Dam with 11 points and Radford Cheek added nine in the defeat.
With the victory, Highlands put itself in position to potentially make the state playoffs, which began on Tuesday.
“I don’t know if we will make it or not, but all we wanted was to have that chance,” Lamb said. “I’m really proud of how much some of our guys have improved as the year has gone on. Some of our younger players grew up a lot, and I think those things showed in tonight’s win.”
Highlands 67, Blue Ridge 44
Highlands scored inside, from the free throw line and beyond the arc in a 67-44 beating of rival Blue Ridge to claim the conference tournament title.
Highlands built a 31-13 advantage on the heels of a 10-0 run to start the second quarter. Blue Ridge was able to stem the tide, but never cut the deficit to single digits as the Lady Highlanders cruised.
Hayley Borino led the onslaught for Highlands with 20 points. Jordan Carrier added 15 and Julia May Schmitt finished with 14. Reese Schmitt added nine.
The Bobcats were led by 11 from Mahalah Stewart and 10 from Charlotte Sherrill. Madeline Potts and Macy Heltsley each scored seven points in the loss.