Highland boys basketball team district champs with win over Central Lee Tuesday

WASHINGTON ? With a district title on the line, all the Highland boys basketball team had to do was win over Central Lee to earn that title, and they did just that by defeating the Hawks 74-56.

Highland was able to get on the board first with an easy bucket, but Central Lee wanted their piece of the action by scoring two 3s in a row, but Highland would respond by going on a 9-0 run to take the lead and retain it the rest of the evening.

The Huskies would end the first quarter ahead 14-8. In the second quarter, three points from the free-throw line would put the Hawks within three points.

However, Highland wanted to make sure the scoring would be low for their opponents as they held Central Lee back to only putting up another 10 while scoring 11 to their side of the board for a four-point lead at the half.

Highland would dominate the boards in the third quarter by scoring a total of 20 points while only allowing Central Lee to put up 12.

The final quarter was a battle for the title as both teams went back and forth on the court scoring.

Central Lee scored 23 points in the quarter, but Highland was able to score 29 to get the win.

Coach Marcus Hall said after the game that the win ?feels good. We earned conference champ and district champ titles as well. I?m proud of the guys showing up and competing the way they did.?

Highland will face Pella Christian Saturday, Feb. 25, for the chance to move on to State. What does Hall need to do to get ready for that game?

?Central Lee was a really good ball team, so I really haven?t thought about it,? Hall says.

?But, we have to continue to do what we do and bring the game to them.

?I know Pella Christian is a really good team. I?m not totally familiar with them. We just have to make sure we take care of ourselves.?

One part of Tuesday?s game was many turnovers and numerous fouls. Hall says they are going to focus on limiting both of those heading into Saturday?s game.

?Contesting the 3 is important and defending without fouling. When we played against Mid-Prairie, we only had six fouls in the entire second half. Tonight it was different.

?Adjusting to how the game is being played will be important for us Saturday. Good team defense is always a big thing for us.

?We will need to improve on some things, though,? Hall adds. ?We got beat on a couple cuts, guys cut across our face and we let a couple of good shooters loose for 3s.

?Our closeout had to be a little more attentive to what type of player they are and who we are closing out to.

?But, that?s basketball and game-to-game adjustments. The competition will definitely step up and that?s the fun thing. That?s the challenge.?

Scoring for Highland was led by Jake Wood with 17 points. Zack Lasek had 16 points. Both Chase Rath and Trent Lasek scored 14 points apiece.

Bill Burton had nine and Bryce Clark and Trey Lasek each scored two points.

Having many players scoring in double digits is good to see, Hall says. ?I like our team and the way we are playing right now. We had a really balanced effort tonight with four in double figures. We just have to keep it rolling.?

Heading into Saturday?s game Hall says the guys will know about their chances of playing at State.

?We are being real about it,? Hall says. ?We earned a spot to play for the State championship and so we will play for that.

?I?m not going to lie and tell them there is no pressure. The stakes are higher. We have the ability to raise our game, so that?s what we have to do.?

The game against Pella Christian begins at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, in Oskaloosa. The winner of that game will play in the State tournament in Des Moines in March.