The Highland vs. Olympus basketball games are becoming instant classics. Highland and Olympus are both ranked in the top 5 of 5A consistently in basketball (in recent years) and the game is nothing short of a high-powered matchup. Olympus knocked off Highland 46-45 on Highland’s hardcourt earlier this year. Obviously Highland coach Chris Jones made the necessary adjustments to take a wild 50-47 overtime victory over Olympus on January 30th.
Although a wild victory would be an underrated description.
“Our team was motivated, I don’t think there was any doubt throughout the whole game,” Highland senior Jack Anderton said.
The gym at Olympus high school was packed to the brim with fans split about half and half by their allegiances. It allowed for what seemed like two home crowds in one game. Although all the fans were kept on the edges of their seats for the majority of the game as both teams couldn’t seem to separate themselves from one another. Neither team went up by more the five points for the entirety of the game. Going into the half the score was 20-20 after the Rams hit a buzzer beater three pointer, so it was clear the rest of this game was going to be neck and neck.
“We played hard but importantly we played together. That’s what really matters is that our team stays together instead of separating when it’s tough,” Highland junior Isaiah Drisdom said.
When Olympus had a four-point lead going into the fourth quarter is when the gym started to really come alive with noise.
The Rams found themselves down five with 30 seconds left in the game, even after two quick buckets Highland was losing 41-43. Jones was all cool in the huddle, reminding his boys to stay calm, and that they had plenty of time. That is when the Black Hole really made its impact, forcing Olympus to miss another two free throws. That is what gave Anderton a chance to drive down the lane and draw a foul. That meant that Anderton had a chance to tie the game up with two free throws.
The first free throw swished in, resulting in loud cheers as all the fans waited in anticipation for the second.
Then Anderton nailed the second one. The gym erupted with cries of joy, and after Olympus missed a half court attempt for the win, against the odds, the game was taken into overtime.
After a four-minute extension of what had been happening for an entire game, it was all tied up at 47 when Jones took a timeout with ten seconds remaining in the game. After a quick session on the drawing board, it was time for the Rams to attempt a game winner. The ball was inbounded to Drisdom, as he dribbled out the final seconds of the game, Anderton came around a screen and took the pass from Drisdom before taking a last second deep three for the win.
Anderton drilled it.
“It felt great and all that it was me that did that but it felt better that my teammates trusted me in that situation and gave me the ball,” Anderton said, “It felt great.”
The Black Hole was barely kept in the stands when the team surrounded Anderton on the court as Highland took a 50-47 lead.
After a quick review by the officials, it showed that Olympus had 1.6 seconds to create some magic. The Titans inbounded the ball, which was almost immediately followed by a whistle — a traveling violation. Drisdom took the pass with .4 seconds left and put the ball down on the ground before the whole team cleared the bench and began the celebration in the middle of Olympus’ home court.
“I lived in Olympus boundaries, so this game was super personal to me,” Anderton said, “These past four years they have sort of had our number, so it felt really good to get this win.”
Both Anderton and Drisdom agreed that although they put up good performances individually, the game was won by the team.
“It felt great to beat them at their house. Coach Jones told us to come out and play hard… and make the right decisions,” Drisdom said.
Obviously the team took Jones’ words to heart, because few wins feel better than the ones that come down to the wire and prove which team is more resilient and has got the grit to get the job done.
The Rams will most likely remember this win for much time to come.
