Sports

Head coach Tim Mayse discusses strategy in a timeout during the Lady Bobcats’ 59-43 win over Nantahala on Thursday, Jan. 29. | Photo courtesy of Blue Ridge Early College

Head coach Tim Mayse discusses strategy in a timeout during the Lady Bobcats’ 59-43 win over Nantahala on Thursday, Jan. 29. | Photo courtesy of Blue Ridge Early College

Lady Bobcats earn back-to-back wins

News Staff
Friday, February 6, 2026
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.
(Left) Sophomore Victoria Clement catches her breath in a home matchup. (Right) Senior Emma Reeves gets open for a pass beyond the arc at her home court. | Photos courtesy of Jackson Dauble

(Left) Sophomore Victoria Clement catches her breath in a home matchup. (Right) Senior Emma Reeves gets open for a pass beyond the arc at her home court. | Photos courtesy of Jackson Dauble

Lady Bears sweep opponents in dominant fashion

News Staff
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Summit Charter Summit Charter’s varsity girls basketball team defeated its opponents by a combined 104 points during the week of Jan. 19. In a Jan. 21 matchup against IC Imagine, the Lady Bears overwhelmed the Lady Kingfishers, earning a 61-14 victory.
AE Woods scans the perimeter for an open pass in the Lady Highlanders’ 56-14 win over Nantahala on Friday, Jan. 16. | Photo courtesy of Todd Sumner

AE Woods scans the perimeter for an open pass in the Lady Highlanders’ 56-14 win over Nantahala on Friday, Jan. 16. | Photo courtesy of Todd Sumner

Plateau schools navigate a week of ups and downs

News Staff
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Highlands School Highlands tipped off the week with road games at Murphy High School on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Despite an impressive 15-point, seven-rebound performance from Jonathan Carpenter, the JV boys fell 52-40 and dropped to 3-10.
Senior Aiden Crook-Jenkins dodges a Robbinsville defender while driving to the basket in the Varsity Boys’ 65-55 loss. | Photo by Todd Sumner

Senior Aiden Crook-Jenkins dodges a Robbinsville defender while driving to the basket in the Varsity Boys’ 65-55 loss. | Photo by Todd Sumner

Highlands sweeps Plateau rivals

News Staff
Friday, January 16, 2026
Highlands Varsity Highlands School swept its plateau rivals the week of Jan. 5, earning dominant wins over Summit Charter Academy and Blue Ridge Early College in both girls and boys basketball.  Highlands tipped off the week with a cross-town showdown against Summit Charter on Tuesday, Jan. 6.
Junior Jordyn Borino attempts a crucial layup in a road matchup. | Photo courtesy of Todd Sumner.

Junior Jordyn Borino attempts a crucial layup in a road matchup. | Photo courtesy of Todd Sumner.

Lady Highlanders earn hard-fought win with late basket

News Staff
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
The remaining varsity basketball games on the Plateau wrapped up on Dec. 18 and 19 ahead of winter break, as Summit Charter School hosted IC Imagine Public Charter School and Highlands School traveled to Robbinsville High School.  On Dec.
Left: Senior Chance Wilson pulls up from three-point range during a home game. Right: Senior Emma Reeves rises for a three-point attempt over a defender. | Photos courtesy of Jackson Dauble

Left: Senior Chance Wilson pulls up from three-point range during a home game. Right: Senior Emma Reeves rises for a three-point attempt over a defender. | Photos courtesy of Jackson Dauble

Summit Girls, Boys Varsity Basketball sweep Rosman, BREC teams suffer defeats

News Staff
Thursday, December 11, 2025
The Summit Charter girls’ and boys’ basketball teams continued their strong runs of form on Tuesday, Dec. 2, with consecutive home victories over Rosman High School. The girls improved to 4-1 on the season, while the boys moved to 2-0.
Highlands’ Hunter Conner (33) recorded a triple-double with 13 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 blocks against Hayesville on Dec. 5. | Photo courtesy of Todd Sumner

Highlands’ Hunter Conner (33) recorded a triple-double with 13 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 blocks against Hayesville on Dec. 5. | Photo courtesy of Todd Sumner

Basketball in full swing on the Plateau

News Staff
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Friday, Dec. 5, was a busy night of basketball on the Plateau, with girls’ and boys’ teams battling in Smoky Mountain region matchups. The Lady Highlanders were the lone victorious team, securing a 47-38 homecoming win.
Sophomore Jayven Alvarado looks to make a move against a Towns County defender during Highlands’ 63-33 loss | Photo by Todd Sumner

Sophomore Jayven Alvarado looks to make a move against a Towns County defender during Highlands’ 63-33 loss | Photo by Todd Sumner

Highlands’ varsity girls’ basketball, BREC varsity boys and girls earn first wins

News Staff
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
On Monday, Nov. 24, the Highlands School and Blue Ridge Early College varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball teams played their home openers against Towns County and Shining Rock Classical Academy. The Lady Highlanders and both BREC teams secured their first wins of the season.
Guard AE Woods wrestles for the ball in Highlands’ opener against Andrews on Nov. 18 in Andrews, NC.

Guard AE Woods wrestles for the ball in Highlands’ opener against Andrews on Nov. 18 in Andrews, NC.

Sports on the Plateau

News Staff
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
The Little Smoky Mountain Conference varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball seasons tipped off Friday, Nov. 14, with Summit Charter facing Nantahala High School in its homecoming games.  The girls, who played first, won their game in dominant fashion, crushing the Hawks 62-12.
Highlands School Athletic Director Brett Lamb and Ryan Bryson award senior Isaiah Vilardo with the Student-Athlete of the Month award.

Highlands School Athletic Director Brett Lamb and Ryan Bryson award senior Isaiah Vilardo with the Student-Athlete of the Month award.

Student-Athlete of the Month

News Staff
Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Highlands School senior varsity soccer player Isaiah Vilardo was awarded the second-ever Athlete of the Month award on Nov. 12. The award was created in September to honor outstanding student athletes.