Highlands defeated archrival Blue Ridge for the second time in the past two weeks, downing the girls 51-31 and knocking off the boys 67-54.
Girls
Highlands 51, Blue Ridge 31
Although Blue Ridge’s Vanessa Russell kicked the game off with an early three-point basket, it was the Highlanders’ offense that propelled the visitors to a 12-3 lead by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter began with Highlands senior Beatrice Bryson scoring an early three-point basket. Highlander Bella Wilson followed that up with two points, plus one at the foul line.
With less than two minutes in the quarter, Highlands extended their lead to 14 points, 24-10. Russell ended the half with one extra foul point.
The third quarter started with a two-point basket from Stewart, followed by one foul shot by Russell.
Blue Ridge senior Mahalah Stewart went head-to-head with the Highlanders for the remainder of that quarter. Highlands scored four, but their streak was derailed by a three-point basket by the Blue Ridge senior.
The visitors then added four points, and Stewart notched one more, ending the third with a score of 34-18.
During the fourth quarter, the Highlanders outscored the Bobcats 17-13. Stewart, who scored 11 points in the last quarter, made two three-point baskets back-to-back toward the end of the game to try to stop the Highlanders’ charge.
Highlands (15-6 overall) will host Nantahala in the regular season finale on Thursday night.
Boys
Highlands 67, Blue Ridge 54
Blue Ridge and Highlands battled back and forth for most of the game, but the visitors took control late in the victory.
The first quarter ended with a score of 16-13.
Blue Ridge junior Eric Puskarich and Highlands both ended the second quarter with three-point baskets, going into halftime 31-26.
Highlands senior Nathan Keener opened the third quarter with two points. The Highlanders went on a six-point run, followed by four added to the Bobcats’ tally.
Puskarich and Blue Ridge junior Riley Nicholson worked together to keep their deficit at five points at the end of the third quarter with the score 46-41.
Despite two early three-point baskets, the Bobcats’ battery began to run out of juice in the final period. Highlands dominated the last two-thirds of the fourth quarter, outscoring the Bobcats on the heels of multiple trips to the foul line, 21-13.
Highlands (5-15 overall) will host Nantahala on Thursday night.