Boys Keota Recap

Before the Highland boys began their postseason journey, they first had two regular season matchups remaining on the calendar. The first of which began last Monday night in Keota against the Eagles. 

Keota, currently undefeated on the season, remained undefeated when all was said and done on their home floor, mopping up the Huskies by a final of 74-36.

Highland appeared as if they could hang with the Eagles and spoil their unblemished record after the first three minutes, as Keota only led by two points. However, a 24-2 run in the remainder of the first quarter would prove to be too tall a mountain for the upset-minded Huskies to climb. 

Junior Louis Horak led Highland with eight points, all coming in the second half. Now in the twilight of his high school basketball career, senior center Nicolas Oriano had six points. Juniors Ayden Havel and Jared Diaz had five boards each. Senior Sawyer Stout led a hot Keota squad with 25 points, nine of which from deep.

Boys Holy Trinity Catholic Recap

One final regular season game took place for the Highland boys last Tuesday night in Riverside, as they welcomed the Crusaders of Holy Trinity Catholic. 

The Huskies had one final chance at a tune-up for Friday night’s preliminary substate matchup against Cedar Valley Christian, but the high-flying Crusaders made it hard on Highland to get into a groove. The Huskies had HTC within arm’s reach after the first quarter but lost all contact with the Crusaders once halftime rolled around. 

On what was evident at halftime as a potentially special night for HTC, the final score revealed the same, as Highland fell once again by a 107-46 bludgeoning at the hands of the Crusaders. 

Holy Trinity Catholic had at least 20 points in every quarter, with 41 points topping them all in the second quarter. Junior Luke Hellige rained down six three-pointers on his way to an unbelievable 45-point night that was unrivaled as a team-high. Senior Conner Gehling had a casual 29 points to second Hellige, 17 of which came in the second quarter.

Understandably so, frowns and looks of frustration were common across the faces of many Highland players. However, the Huskies put together their best two quarters of the night in the second half, led by Sophomore Bryce Hazelett’s 13 points. In his final regular season game, Nicolas Oriano scored eight points. 

The Huskies complete the regular season without capturing an elusive conference victory, which now must wait until next season.

Boys Cedar Valley Christian Recap

  It was a battle of the Huskies in the Class 1A Substate 3 preliminary playoff game last Friday night in Riverside as the Highland boys clashed with Cedar Valley Christian. The winner earned the right to take their best shot at Class 1A’s top ranked North Linn Lynx. 

Halfway through the first quarter, it was the Huskies in blue that led the way, but not before the home Highland Huskies erased the deficit to tie the game 14-14 at the end of the first quarter. Highland managed to outscore Cedar Valley Christian in the next two quarters to take a slim 44-40 lead into the final frame. 

With a little help from a rowdy student section, the Highland boys stymied any chance at a CVC comeback and held on to survive and advance by a final of 59-49. 

Not only was Junior Logan McFarland automatic from the charity stripe but was clutch in key moments for his team. McFarland made eight free throws on the night on his way to a 17-point performance. The junior made his presence felt when his team needed him the most. 

In his final career home showing, Nicolas Oriano piled up a crucial 14 points as well, living in the paint all night long. 

The junior pair of Louis Horak and Colten Sypherd combined for 14 points. Horak cleaned up on the boards with Ayden Havel as his partner. Together, Horak and Havel collected a total of 21 rebounds, nine of which were offensive. 

Junior Caleb Krueger led Cedar Valley Christian with 15 points, as he and the rest of his squad saw their season come to an end.

What’s Next?

Highland (3-18), still alive in postseason play, faced the best team in Class 1A, the North Linn Lynx (19-1). Highland traveled to North Linn High School on Monday, February 12th for the first-round playoff matchup.