Highlanders can’t recover after slow start, fall to Huskies in District 1-A tourney play
Published 12:59 pm Monday, February 24, 2025
Ron Marvel/Star Correspondent Nick Caraway looks to get the Highlanders on the board with a layup attempt in early action against the Huskies.
Ron Marvel/Star Correspondent Kingston Cole works around a North Greene defender.
Ron Marvel/Star Correspondent Bryce Birchfield launches a 3-point attempt as the second period begins.
Ron Marvel/Star Correspondent Uriah Jarrett moves into the paint, looking to get past a Huskies defender.
Ron Marvel/Star Correspondent Highlanders head coach Cody McClain talks things over as his team gets off to a slow start.
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By Ron Marvel
Star Correspondent
Sometimes you just dig a hole you can’t get out of—such was the case Saturday in the District 1-A semifinals, as the Cloudland Highlanders fell behind 30-4 in the first half and could never recuperate against the North Greene Huskies.
Kingston Cole hit one of two free-throw attempts in the opening minute of the game before the Huskies went on a 12-0 run to end the first period and go up 16-1. Things did not get much better in the second period, as a combination of a stingy Huskies defense, cold shooting, and tight officiating made the going tough for the Highlanders. Devin Balado connected on the only first-half basket for the Highlanders at the 4:22 mark of the second period, as the Highlanders went into the break down 30-4.
The offense started to show some life in the second half. Nick Caraway hit a three-pointer, Uriah Jarrett connected on two baseline jumpers, and Bryce Birchfield knocked down another three-pointer as the final period started to make it 46-16, but that was as close as the Highlanders could get as they fell 55-21.
Jarrett led the Highlanders with nine points, while Birchfield chipped in six. Tyler Britton led the way for the Huskies, scoring 17.
The Highlanders will now play the consolation game at West Ridge on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
