Highland posts 1-2 mark in season opening Salem Tournament

Not a delayed start, a talented opponent, or uneven play could keep the Highland girls basketball team from success in their season opener.

When the dust settled, the Lady Bulldogs persevered through those multiple layers of adversity to defeat a tough Carterville club 44-43 on Thursday, Nov. 18, in the first round of the Salem Tournament at Salem High School.

“We didn’t get started until about 6:20 because Carterville got delayed by a wreck (on the highway to the game),” Highland coach Clint Hamilton said. “It was a tight game and I don’t think anybody had more than maybe a five-point lead (at most) the whole time.”

Both teams tried to get out and run with their uptempo fast-break style but strong man-to-man defense by the Lions and the Lady Bulldogs slowed the game into a more precise, grinding half court pace.

“There were a lot of half court sets and we did a good job in the half court and they had two really nice players,” Hamilton said. “They had sisters (that led them) ... one of them scored 15 and the other scored 14 (points). They were primarily their offense so we did a pretty good job of making it difficult for them.”

Hamilton was referencing sisters Alecia and Amayah Doyle, who combined for 29 points.

HHS started slow on offense in the opening half but still managed a 23-20 halftime lead.

Highland also struggled at the free-throw line — hitting just 5-of-15 — but got timely scoring from Abby Schultz, Grace Wilke, and Larissa Taylor down the stretch to hold off the Lions.

“We lost a lot of points at the free throw line, too, so that didn’t make our lives any easier, but we found a way to get it done,” Hamilton said. “The first game of the year, you just have to find a way to win. It’s the first game of the year, you know it’s gonna be a little ugly ... I’m just proud of the kids for finding a way to win.”

Schultz scored a team-high 12 points while Wilke added 11 points, and Taylor chipped in eight points to pace the Lady Bulldogs.

Highland finishes tournament 1-2

Highland resumed tournament action Saturday, Nov, 20, and dropped two games — 50-39 to Central and 66-28 to Teutopolis.

Wilke led the Lady Bulldogs with 10 points while Abby Huelsmann and Taylor each added eight points against Centralia.

Wilke led HHS with 10 points in the Teutopolis game as well.

This story was originally published November 19, 2021 at 1:10 AM.