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By Brian O’Shea, Plateau Daily News
Highlands varsity girls basketball team won the Little Smoky Mountain Conference girls basketball tournament last month after defeating Hiwassee Dam in the finals at home 51-47.
Highlands Jordyn Borino on a fast break against Hiwassee Dam during the LSMC Championship game at home.
“It feels great to win the tournament,” said Highlands Coach Brett Lamb. “These young ladies have put in a ton of work during the season and in the summer and to finish with a conference regular season and tournament championships is amazing.”
Highlands AE Woods sets up on defense against Hiwassee Dam.
Winning the championship was a team effort including Highlands Jordyn Borino scored 24 points (career high) 4 assists; Aislynn Wyatt-Luck scored 8 points, 9 assists, and 5 steals; Hunter Conner scored 9 points, 18 rebounds (career high), 8 blocks and 5 steals; Charlotte Westendorf scored 3 points 4 rebounds; and AE Woods scored 5 points and 3 rebounds.
Highlands Hunter Conner drives to the hoop against Hiwassee Dam.
“I thought the HD game was one of the best all-around games for us all year,” said Lamb. “We hung close throughout the game and made a good run late to pull out the win. Our defense and rebounding were the keys!”
Highlands Charlotte Westendorf keeps the ball inbounds during the first round of the LSMC Championship against BREC.
Highlands took on Blue Ridge Early College in round 1 of the tournament and won 66-16.
BREC McKenzie Woods drives to the basket to score 2 against Highlands.
“I thought the girls played very well against Blue Ridge in the first round of the tournament,” said Lamb. “We played very unselfish offensively and were able to get some really good shots. Our defense was good shutting down their best offensive players.”
Highlands Heidi Doerter sets up to drain a free throw.
Against Blue Ridge Highlands Jordyn Borino scored 16 points, 6 steals; Hunter Conner scored 12 points, 8 rebounds; Charlotte Westendorf scored 15 points 4 steals; Aislynn Wyatt Luck scored 6 points 6 assists; AE Woods scored 5 points 6 rebounds.
BREC Amber Ward maintains control of the ball and drives to the basket for 2.
Shortly after winning the LSMC tournament, Highlands played the first round of the NCAA State Girls Basketball Playoffs and beat College Prep and Leadership Academy 44-20. Highlands lost the second round of the playoffs on the road to Uwharrie Charter Academy with a final of 47-37.
BREC Kimber Allen snags a rebound against Highlands.
Highlands Hunter Conner fires a pass inside the paint against BREC.
BREC Brooklyn Kenny drives to the basket and scores a layup against Highlands.
BREC Bailey Cronkite fire a pass off to inbound the ball against Highlands.
Highlands Aislynn Wyatt-Luck looks for an opening under pressure from BREC.
BREC April Corona drives to the hoop to score a layup against Highlands.
BREC Hope Ward shuts down any path to the hoop against Highlands.
Highlands Lillian Rutter sets up for a freethrow against BREC.
BREC McKenzie Woods sinks a 3-pointer against Highlands.
Highlands bench goes nuts after Mallory Shriver scores a bucket.
BREC Hope Ward kicks the ball back out to the perimeter under pressure from Highlands Taylor Hays.
BREC Coach Tim Mayse talks strategy late in the game against Highlands.
Highlands Ae Woods looks for an opening against BREC during round 1 of the LSMC tournament.
BREC April Corona on a fast break against Highlands.
Highlands Hunter Conner sinks a short jumpshot against BREC.
Highlands varsity girls basketball team the moment they won the LSMC Championship against Hiwassee Dam.
Highlands varsity girls basketball team with the LSMC Championship trophy.