Conner Defeats Highlands Girls in LaRosa's Holiday Classic Title Game |
| PHOTO: Allen Ramsey, DWCPhoto.com. Highlands junior Hanna Buecker (20) goes up for the score in front of Conner's Maddie Burcham (22) while Savannah Jordan (14) watches. Highlands lost 51-41 in the title game of the LaRosa's Holiday Classic. |
But that's all the Highlands Bluebird boys basketball team (5-6 overall) needed in a 49-48 win over the Powell County Panthers (5-5) from the 14th Region on Friday in the 11th Annual Gateway Holiday Classic at Montgomery County. Powell County veteran Head Coach Dave Fraley led the Pulaski County Maroons to the state championship in 1986.
Highlands once again had balanced scoring with senior Robby Gabbard leading the way with nine points including two free throws with 18 seconds left. Senior Griffin Huber followed with eight points and Alex Starkey had seven.
"(Powell County) is a good team," said Kevin Listerman, Highlands Head Coach. "There is not a lot of prep time obviously coming off a game the night before. Early on, it was a lot of feeling each other out. I thought we played really well for really about the first 3.5 quarters. Then we got into situational basketball. We made a couple mistakes against their pressure and traps and let them back in the game. Then we had to make some plays down the stretch the last couple minutes and that's what we did. We got the ball to the right people. On the very last possession, I was really proud of the defense we played. We never really gave them a good look and did a great job of blocking out then securing the rebound to make sure we got the win."
Highlands led 34-23 halfway through the third quarter. Listerman and Highlands junior Nate Roberts credited players as juniors Ryan Leigh, Austin King, senior Carl Schoellman and freshman Sam Vinson for coming off the bench and helping the Bluebirds build the lead.
Free throws contributed to some of the struggles down the stretch. Highlands made 11-of-18 for 61 percent while the Pirates hit 10-of-19 for 53 percent.
"We've had a couple games where we've had the lead in the fourth quarter and we blew it," Roberts said. "It became a tie game or a one-possession game. We need to work on playing smart defense and using the time to our advantage as we're winning games. I think experience plays a factor in it because a lot of us haven't played a lot of varsity minutes. So I don't think we've been in situations like that before, but we'll learn and get better at those."
Highlands concludes the tournament against the Anderson County Bearcats (4-7). Game time is 2 p.m.
Basketball, Girls:
Conner 51, Highlands 41:
The Highlands Bluebirds girls basketball team (9-5 overall) could not bring home its third LaRosa's Holiday Classic crown Friday against the host Conner Lady Cougars (11-2).
Conner jumped out to a 16-8 advantage after one and extended it to 30-12 at halftime. Highlands cut the margin to 40-31 after the third quarter.
"(I'm) really proud of my kids (Friday)," Conner Head Coach Aaron Stamm Tweeted. "They are buying into what are trying to tell them. Just really happy for our inner circle of players and coaches. Team first and playing for each other is what w are trying to coach right now."
Highlands had won eight straight against Conner coming into the game. The last loss to the Lady Cougars came in the first LaRosa's Holiday Classic by a 63-56 score on Dec. 29, 2011.
Junior Zoie Barth again led Highlands with 15 points. She made all four free throws to go with six rebounds, an assist, three steals and a blocked shot.
Conner junior guard and Classic Most Valuable Player Courtney Hurst scored 13 and junior guard Savannah Jordan added 10. The Lady Cougars made 13-of-40 shots for 33 percent including 6-of-16 from three-point range for 38 percent and 19-of-25 free throws for 76 percent. Highlands made 15-of-54 shots for 28 percent including 3-of-22 three-point shots for 14 percent and 8-of-10 free throws for 80 percent.
Highlands plays again in a week back home against Walton-Verona (10-4). Game time is 7:30 p.m.
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