The KCII Area Game of the Week delivered some quality basketball Tuesday night, as the Columbus and Highland programs fought their way to a Superconference split in Riverside.
The Huskies survived a late Columbus rally to take the girls’ contest 45-44. Highland enjoyed a one-point lead after eight minutes of play, but found themselves down by six at half. Eight third-quarter free throws by Sarah Burton put a charge in to the Husky offense out of the break. Highland scored 21 in the frame to take a five-point lead, despite making just four field goals. Burton would finish with 18, while Stella Slaymaker added eight of her 12 points in the second half to hold off Columbus. Lily Coil had a Wildcat comeback in mind, going perfect from the line Tuesday night on her way to 15, but Highland limited Columbus to just two field goals in the fourth quarter to escape with the victory. The Huskies are off for a week until they face Hillcrest Academy January 9. Columbus, meanwhile, meets with Van Buren County Thursday before battling Hillcrest Friday.
The girls were a tough act to follow, but the boys rose to the occasion, with Columbus outlasting the Huskies this time 55-47. Another back and forth contest featured strong first halves from a pair of senior leaders. Tim Hills-Carrier had 16 points before the break to give the Wildcats a four-point halftime lead. It may have been more if not for Nicolas Oriano’s 10 first-half points. Bryce Hazelett also finished in double figures, knocking down a pair of three’s in the third quarter to give Highland the five-point edge. Columbus would make the final move, however, as Juan Chairez found open spots on the floor and scored seven of his 13 in the fourth quarter. Hills-Carrier finished with 26 to lead all players in the win. The Highland Boys look to bounce back against Tri-County next Monday, while Columbus squares off with Van Buren County Thursday.
The game was heard on the KCII Area Game of the Week, which heads next to Winfield on Thursday night, where the Wolves host Lone Tree for another Superconference doubleheader. Coverage begins with the pregame show at 5:30 p.m., girls at 6 p.m., followed by the boys on the KCII3 Stream.