Highland Bulldogs sports report, Jan. 1 edition
Hockey
Highland 6, Edwardsville 5
Despite a slow start, the Highland hockey dug deep and defeated Edwardsville on Monday, Dec. 23.
The Bulldogs fell behind 4-1 after a sluggish first period, but HHS, led by top-scorer Lucas Korte, exploded for four second period goals and held on for a 6-5 Mississippi Valley Conference Hockey Association victory at Granite City Ice Rink.
Korte powered the Bulldogs offense with four goals and two assists. Dylan Kreke added two goals and an assist.
Columbia 6, Highland 0
On Thursday, Dec. 26, the Highland hockey team returned to action with an MVCHA game against Columbia. The Eagles came out smoking with the puck in the first period as they exploded for four goals.
That early surge was more than enough, as they handed the Bulldogs (2-11-1) a 6-0 setback at McKendree Metro Rec Plex in O’Fallon.
Elijah DeFosset led Columbia with a hat trick.
Girls Basketball
Highland 83, Riverview Gardens 25
Highland came out pressing and running early, exploding for 27 first-quarter points and a 48-12 halftime lead en route to an easy 83-25 win over Riverview Gardens in the first round of the Mascoutah Invitational Tournament on Monday, Dec. 23, at Mascoutah High School.
HHS scored 21 points or more in three quarters of the game.
Four players scored in double figures for the Lady Bulldogs. Bella LaPorta led the way with a game-high 15 points, followed by Megan Kronk with 13 points, Ellie Brown with 11 points, and Ashlyn Klucker with 10 points.
Highland 50, Breese Central 33
The Lady Bulldogs kept their winning ways going in the Mascoutah Invitational on Friday, Dec. 27.
HHS started fast and kept rolling as the Lady Bulldogs coasted to a 50-33 quarterfinal round victory over Breese Central at Mascoutah High School. Highland ultimately reached the championship game where it fell to O’Fallon.
Boys Basketball
Mater Dei 66, Highland 38
The Highland Bulldogs got back onto the court the day after Christmas and had a rough time in their opening game of Pool B play at the 59th annual Mater Dei Christmas Tournament.
Host Mater Dei jumped on the Bulldogs late in the first half and took a 31-23 halftime lead and parlayed that into a 66-38 first-round win. Cade Altadonna paced the Bulldogs with 17 points.
Okawville 54, Highland 33
Highland came out strong on the defensive end, holding Okawville to just seven points in the first quarter.
But the Rockets exploded for 16 second-quarter points and finished the Bulldogs off with a 20-point third quarter to post a 54-33 win in the second game of Pool B play on Thursday, Dec. 26, in tourney action.
Evan Peterson and Christian Kassey led Highland with eight points each.
Red Bay, Alabama, 55, Highland 44
It was another tough draw in Pool B play for Highland as the Bulldogs battled but could not overcome a talented Red Bay, Alabama, squad. The Bulldogs fell 55-44 in the third game of Pool B play Friday, Dec. 27.
Mascoutah 58, Highland 29
Highland finished up its final game in Pool B play on a down note in tourney action. HHS fell behind early to Mississippi Valley Conference rival Mascoutah and came out on the short end of the score in a 58-29 loss.
Highland (2-11) will finish the tournament at noon Monday, Dec. 30, against Metro East Lutheran in the ninth place game.
Wrestling
Bulldog wrestlers perform well with four top 10 finishers in Lincoln Holiday Tournament
Saturday, Dec. 28, ended up being a very productive finish to the two-day Lincoln Invitational Tournament for the Bulldogs wrestling team.
Highland had four grapplers earn top finishes in the tournament at Lincoln High School.
In the 126 pound class, Tanner Schranz took eighth place. Bryce Kirsch finished seventh place in the 138-pound division. Alex Reed placed seventh at 195 pounds, and Colby Davis placed eighth in the 160 pound class.
Other top finishers for the Bulldogs included Ben Mitchell, who placed 13th at 145 pounds, and Trevor Zobrist had a solid showing, placing 15th at 285 pounds.
HHS finished 19th overall in team standings.