Highlands Varsity Swim to compete for State Championship
Blue Ride Early College Varsity Basketball
Blue Ridge Early College’s varsity girls team has picked up steam as of late, earning three wins in its last four games. On Tuesday, Jan. 27, the Lady Bobcats hosted Macon Early College and cruised to a 72–30 victory. Junior Brooklyn Kinney posted a monster triple-double, finishing with 41 points, 12 rebounds, 11 steals and eight assists.
“I felt that we played a more complete game versus Macon than the first time,” said Head Coach Tim Mayse. “We were able to stay out of foul trouble and push the pace on offense and defense and we did a better job of executing in transition which led to some easy baskets for us.”
Following the impressive showing, the varsity boys also earned a second victory over MEC, winning 55–45 behind a 30-point, 10-rebound performance by junior Dakota Kinsey.
BREC returned to action Thursday, Jan. 29, for road tests against Nantahala. The Lady Bobcats tipped off the evening with a 59-43 victory, thanks to another dominant outing from Kinney. She finished with 21 points, 16 rebounds and 6 assists. They improved to 5-12.
“It was a fun environment to play in for our girls and they responded in the second half by upping the pressure on defense and turning steals into points,” said Mayse. “Total team effort and I’m very proud of getting this win on the road.”
The Varsity Boys were unable to replicate their success, falling in a tight, 62-58 contest. They dropped to 4-13.
Highlands Varsity Swim
Senior Aniah McKim and freshman Ian Batista will compete in the 1A NCHSAA Swimming and Diving Championships on Saturday, Feb. 7, at the Triangle Aquatic Center in Cary.
McKim, who finished the regular season with a World Aquatics Point Score of 343.15, will compete in the 100 Breaststroke, while Batista, who posted a score of 291.30, will swim the 500 Freestyle.
McKim enters the State Championships in strong form, having secured first-place finishes in three of his last four events across the team’s final two meets. Batista has also placed second in each of his last four events.
Highlands has never won a state championship in swimming or diving.
Highlands School Varsity Basketball
Hayesville proved too much for Highlands School, as both varsity teams suffered defeats to the Yellow Jackets on the road Wednesday, Jan. 28.
The Lady Highlanders were unable to recover from an early deficit, falling 45–31. Hunter Conner led the team with 14 points, six rebounds and four blocks. They moved to 11-7.
“The girls battled to the end and will look to use that intensity in the remainder of the games,” said Head Coach Brett Lamb.
The varsity boys lost 70-27 and dropped to 4-14.
Summit Charter Varsity Basketball
Summit Charter traveled to Hayesville, where both varsity squads fell to the Yellow Jackets. The Lady Bears lost 28–21 in a low-scoring affair, while the varsity boys fell 67–41, despite double-digit scoring performances from three different players. The Bears dropped to 5-11.
The Lady Bears then traveled to Asheville Christian Academy on Wednesday, Jan. 28, and secured a 43–25 victory, improving to 12–8.
The rivalry matchup against Highlands on Friday, Jan. 30, was postponed due to inclement weather.
- Mitch Stone
reporter@highlandsnews.com