BOYS BASKETBALL Highlanders upset Skyhawks
Photos and Story
By Mike Maddock
Mike@TheColumbiaStar.com

Heathwood Hall's Jonathan Zurcher guards Hammond's Cliff Ayers. Zurcher's two baskets late in the fourth tied the game twice, and his free-throw gave the Highlanders their first lead of the second half. He finished with 12. Ayers scored nine for the Skyhawks.

The Heathwood Hall Highlanders (5- 12, 2- 2) led the visiting Hammond Skyhawks (12- 5, 2- 2) for a total of about one minute in their game Tuesday, Jan. 23, but it was an important minute.

Aaron Robinson- Cain's basket late in the first half gave the Highlanders their first lead at 22- 21, but a few seconds later Steven Harvin's lay- up gave the Skyhawk's the lead back. It wasn't until Jonathan Zurcher's free throw with 2:42 remaining in the game that the Highlanders would lead again 47- 46. Josh Walters spinning shot from just outside the lane tied the game at 49- 49 for Hammond. Then Robinson- Cain's shot from inside the paint with 30 seconds left put the Highlanders up 51- 49. Mackenzie Whalen's two free throws with 22.7 seconds remaining iced the game for Heathwood Hall and gave them the 53- 49 victory. It was the biggest lead of the game for the Highlanders.

Heathwood Hall's Aaron Robinson- Cain shoots for two of his 12 points over Hammond's Wilson McWilliams. McWilliams had six points.

Heathwood Hall coach Jeff Whalen used a methodical, ball- control attack to slow the Hammond offense. Skyhawk superstar Daniel Bailey was held to just five points in the first half and accumulated two fouls. Bailey did finish with 14, but was held scoreless in the game's final two minutes.

While Zurcher and Robinson- Cain led the Highlanders, it was also a good night for the Whalen boys. Brett, Tyler, Morgan, and Mackenzie combined for three three- pointers and 20 total points. James Rogers added five points for the Highlanders.

Cliff Ayers scored nine points for Hammond, while Tyler Bailey, Wilson McWilliams, and A.D. Briggs each had six points.

The Skyhawks went 7 for 13 from the line while the Highlanders were 9 for 18.

The Highlanders travel to Cardinal Newman Friday, Jan. 26, while the Skyhawks travel to Northwood Jan. 25 then host St. Joseph's Jan. 26.

Hammond: Daniel Bailey 14, Cliff Ayers 9, Tyler Bailey 6, Wilson McWilliams 6, A.D. Briggs 6, Josh Walters 2, Steven Harvin 2, Darby Little 2, Chase Loveless 2

Heathwood Hall: Jonathan Zurcher 12, Aaron Robinson-Cain 12, Tyler Whalen 8, Mackenzie Whalen 7, James Rogers 5, Lindsay Crawford 4, Brett Whalen 3, Morgan Whalen 2