Highland rallies for league win
By Daily News | |
PUBLISHED: January 3, 2008 at 12:00 a.m. | UPDATED: September 1, 2017 at 9:02 a.m.
PALMDALE – Highland of Palmdale fought back from a 12-point first-half deficit and recorded a big win on the road to open up Golden League play Wednesday night in a 57-51 boys' basketball victory over Knight of Palmdale.
The outcome wasn't secure until Jameer McDaniel made two free throws with 11 seconds remaining to give Highland a five-point lead.
"I felt no pressure," McDaniel said. "It was just like regular free throws at practice."
Highland trailed early, as Paul George got hot for Knight. George sparked a 19-2 run with four 3-pointers in the first half. George finished with 22 points and six rebounds, but didn't get the ball much in the third quarter when Highland caught the Hawks (8-6, 0-1).
"We tried some gimmick defenses in the first half and I think that hurt us," Highland coach Jeff Smith said. "In the second half we went straight man-to-man and played more of a full-court game.
"That was a huge win on the road. We played really well limiting their looks in the second half."
Highland forged ahead 43-37 thanks to key baskets by 6-foot-7 left-handed forward Kyisean Reed. Reed was a force underneath the basket, finishing with 20 points and six blocks.
Patrick Campbell scored 12 points and McDaniel had 11 for the Bulldogs (8-6, 1-0).
Kyree Jackson, Chris Shaw and Lamonte Dewindt each scored eight points to help the Pepperdine-bound George.
George scored six in a row, including a four-point play, but Knight could never take the lead, succumbing to a Reed basket and a 3-pointer from Patrick Campbell with 2:40 remaining that gave Highland a 50-45 lead.
"There are still 13 more league games left, but it is nice to win the first one," Smith said. "It was great to play real well because we have not played in two weeks. The kids were getting sick of practice and going against each other."