It was a battle of the plateau on Dec. 14, as the Blue Ridge Bobcats varsity basketball teams hosted Highlands School Highlanders.
Highlands prevailed in the girls game 64-25 and the Highlander boys claimed a 63-35 win.
Girls
Highlands 64, Blue Ridge 25
Highlands came out of the gate swinging during the first quarter with an early 5-0 lead within the first three minutes of the game. At the 4:09 mark, Blue Ridge player Mercedes McLaughlin posted two points, making the score to 5-2.
The Lady Highlanders continued their lead, driving the score up to 17-2, until Blue Ridge banked another two points toward the end of the quarter. However, two additional three-point shots from the Highlanders ended the first quarter with a score of 23-4.
At the start of the second quarter, the Bobcats trailed by 19 points. Blue Ridge’s Mahalah Stewart opened the quarter a free throw. But that was followed up with 15 unanswered points from the Highlanders.
The score at halftime was 42-7, and the Highlanders were in control.
Coming back from halftime, the third quarter turned into a back-and-forth dance between the Bobcats and Highlanders. Blue Ridge’s Macy Heltsley started the quarter by adding two points for the Bobcats, which were answered with two points from Highlander Bella Wilson.
Highlands outscored the Bobcats 17-13 during the third quarter.
The first two minutes of the fourth quarter started quietly, until a quick pass game by the Highlanders added two points with an off-the-backboard shot by Julia Schmitt.
Ava Schmitt extended the lead to 63-20 before Blue Ridge responded with a bucket of their own. An additional free throw shot from Highlander Lilly Kate Bryson completed the visitors total.
Stewart landed the last score of the game by dropping a three-pointer for the Bobcats.
Boys
Highlands 63, Blue Ridge 35
Although Blue Ridge’s Tyler Green opened the game with a two-point basket, that was quickly tied up with a response from Highlander Kasen Mitchell.
An additional free throw from Mitchell and another from Highlander Nathan Keener extended that lead by the Highlanders to 4-2.
Bobcat Michael Martinez tied the game again with two points, but then the Highlanders went on a six-point streak during the first quarter to push the score to 10-4. Two three-point shots from both teams ended the quarter with a score of 13-7.
Green started the second quarter with a basket, which was answered with six points by the Highlanders.
Bobcat Isaiah Palestino then put four points on the board, but Highlander Jeffery Olvera helped his team with a basket and a pair of free throws.
The Highlanders outscored the Bobcats 19-6, ending the second quarter with a score of 32-13.
Blue Ridge player Jonathan Campbell added two points at 5:35 mark of the third and then repeated that with an additional two.
Bobcat Ethan Henson came in and added three points at the 4:51 mark, setting the score at 32-20.
Highlands added four points, extending their lead to 36-20. Although Blue Ridge tallied two more points, Highlands took off and went on a six-point streak. Highlands sent Blue Ridge back down to a 20-point deficit at the end of the third, with the score at 44-24.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Highlands started fast with seven unanswered points, including a three-point goal and a pair of two-point shots.
A tug-of-war ensued between the rivals for the next few minutes, with a back and forth of buckets rounding out the game.
Highlands’ boys will play their next game at Summit Charter School on Jan. 4. The Lady Highlanders will be back in action Jan. 6 at Murphy.
- By Michael O'Hearn/Crossroads Chronicle