Rams Bested In Rivalry Matchup

On Friday December 11 the Highland High Rams faced off against the East High Leopards at their home. This is a rivalry for the ages which has made a lot of epic games over the years. This year did not disappoint it came down to the last shot and ended with Highland losing 39-41.

In the first quarter of the game was very defense based, neither team was able to find a rhythm on the offensive side of the ball. Every possession meant something because it wasn’t a foregone conclusion that either team was going to be able to score. This led to a score of 10-13 in Highland’s favor at the end of the first quarter.

When the second quarter started it was a new quarter but the same game. It was still very low-scoring both teams grinding to score points and not fall behind. When one team hit a three the other team would match it on the other end. The teams were going stride for stride until East was able to put together a run and go into the half up 24-23.

East didn’t let up after that holding a one or two point lead for the whole third quarter and into the fourth. Highland was within striking distance but couldn’t find a way to gain the lead. In the fourth quarter East was able to gain a little bit more of a lead going up by seven. This seemed like it sent Highland on a mission as they got to within one.

It was a one point game when the Highland senior Jackson Hawes caught his fifth foul and was out for the game. This kind of deflated the Rams in their run and they weren’t able to gain the lead. A few minutes after that senior Christian Rich also fouled out of the game. Despite losing two of their starters they kept it close and it was a two-point game on the last possession of the game. Highland High junior Nate Warr was able to get open for a last second three. Although it was good look it did not fall and the game ended.

Highland was disappointed by this loss but they have to have a short memory to be ready for next week. Next week they play the reigning state champions the Olympus Titans in the hardest contest of their season.