By writer to www.bnd.com
Sophomore guard Jake Ottensmeier and the Highland basketball team got here out sizzling and gave the Mascoutah Indiana loads of early issues.
The undefeated Indians, nonetheless, didn’t flinch and, over the ultimate 28 minutes, senior ahead Justin King asserted himself at each ends of the ground.
King exploded for a game-high 27 factors and the Indians held off Highland within the closing moments for a 56-47 victory Friday, Dec. 3, within the Mississippi Valley Convention opener for each groups at Highland Excessive Faculty.
Highland moved the ball well and scored successfully all through the sport however had few solutions for King’s inside drives and the well timed inside work of Mascoutah senior ahead/heart Jack Siebert, who pumped in 12 factors.
“Defensively we have been giving up means too many simple baskets,” Highland assistant coach Cody Greatest mentioned.
Greatest stuffed in for Bulldogs head coach Deryl Cunningham, who was residence recovering from his kidney transplant process that befell Wednesday, Dec. 1.
“We knew Justin King was going to get his factors and we have been making an attempt to get them off the boards. They’re loads larger and loads stronger. General we competed, however we didn’t compete for 32 minutes,” Greatest mentioned.
Ottensmeier’s two 3-pointers pushed Highland (2-4, 0-1) to an early 12-Eight benefit.
Mascoutah (6-0, 1-0), however, surged ahead within the ultimate minute of the primary quarter as King’s driving layup capped off a 6-Three run for a 19-15 margin.
King’s trey and a pair of freevthrows stretched Mascoutah’s margin to 31-20 late within the first half and the Indians in the end carried a 33-22 lead into the break.
The Bulldogs continued to remain shut within the third quarter due to well timed buckets from Ottensmeier, Brendan Gelly, and Trey Koishor. Ottensmeier drilled a 3-pointer from the highest of the important thing on the buzzer to tug HHS inside 43-38 heading into the fourth quarter.
A baseline financial institution shot from Gunnar Mackey drew the Bulldogs inside 51-47 with simply 4:44 left. Nevertheless, foul bother for Mackey and Joe Jansen and total fatigue left HHS struggling to get and make photographs in opposition to Mascoutah’s skilled protection.
“They (Mascoutah) are deep and so they’re very well-coached, so it’s a studying expertise for us proper now,” Greatest mentioned. “We received drained and so they’ve received seniors and so they’re constructed for these kinds of runs.”
Scoring breakdown, subsequent up
Ottensmeier led Highland with 19 factors whereas Koishor and Gelly added 11 factors every. Ottensmeier’s and Koishor’s performances happy Greatest.
“Jake and Trey have been taking part in collectively for a very long time and so they actually feed off one another,” Greatest mentioned.
Cunningham is predicted again subsequent week at Highland and the staff appears ahead to his return.
“We’re sending prayers to educate DC, we’re desirous about him and we love him,” Greatest mentioned.
Highland returns to action at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, with an MVC street recreation at Jerseyville.
This story was initially revealed December 4, 2021 12:40 AM.
— to www.bnd.com
