Hot start, Jansen’s free throws help Highland hold off nemesis Triad for big MVC win

A hot start and some clutch free throw shooting late were just what Highland’s boys basketball team needed to handle the always tough Triad Knights.

The Bulldogs led 9-0 in the first two minutes and by 10 at the halftime. Junior post Joe Jansen ultimately finished the job for HHS, hitting a pair of 1-and-1 free throws while helping lead host Highland to a thrilling 55-54 Mississippi Valley Conference victory against Triad on Friday, Dec. 17.

Jansen was all smiles after the huge win.

“I mean, these are the guys we want to beat all the time,” Jansen said. “We were 2-5, so we needed a win to get the momentum going and just needed something to pick us up after going through those (earlier games).”

Highland (3-5 overall, 1-1 in the MVC) came out blazing in the first 3 1/2 minutes, racing to an 11-0 lead behind 3-pointers from Jake Ottensmeier, Brendan Gelly, and Logan Powers, and a bucket by Powers.

HHS’s early surge put Triad back on its heels.

“It feels great (to get that start),” Jansen said. “The crowd is yelling against our rivals then and it’s just great.”

Highland interim coach Cody Best agreed.

“That hot start always helps,” Best said.

HHS led by 12 after eight minutes and continued to attack with the ball. A 6-3 run in the final two minutes of the second quarter capped by a Colton Watkins running layup pushed the Bulldogs to a 31-21 halftime lead.

A driving two by Aydin Hitt pulled the Knights within 37-30 but a putback bucket by Grant Fleming helped the Bulldogs carry a 39-30 lead into the fourth quarter.

Up just two points with 13.9 seconds remaining, Jansen got fouled and sank both ends of the 1-and-1 opportunity for a 55-51 lead.

Drew Winslow answered for Triad (4-6, 2-2) with a triple from the top of the arc to cut it to 55-54 with just under 4 seconds left. Highland attempted to inbound the ball and it appeared to go off Ottensmeier out of bounds as time ran out. However, the referees conferenced at the spot of the play and ruled possession to the Bulldogs

That set off a wide celebration with the players and the student body rushing the floor.

“We knew it would be a fight and you can throw the records out (the window). Our guys are tough and they showed it tonight. We need some momentum, so hopefully it (the win) gets us going a little bit,” Best said.

Added Jansen, who led Highland with 12 points, “It feels great, feels great to close that win out,” Jansen said

Besides Jansen’s output, Ottensmeier and Powers each scored 10 points.

Stewart led Triad with 20 points followed by Hitt with 16 points.