By Rick Peterson
TopSports.news
For one of the few times all season, Highland Park's boys basketball team found itself behind in the first half of Thursday's Meadlowlark Conference home game against winless Kansas City-Schlagle, prompting Hi Park coach Mike Williams to call a timeout to express his displeasure with his Scots.
Highland Park coach Mike Williams talks to his team early in Thursday's 79-48 win over KC-Schlagle. [Photo by Rick Peterson/TSN]
Highland Park senior Jahmir Kingcannon (right) scored 18 points with five 3-pointers in Thursday's 79-48 win over KC-Schlagle. [File photo/TSN]
But it didn't late long for No. 1-ranked (Class 5A) Highland Park to right the ship, with the Scots taking control with 14-2 run at the end of the half and cruising to their 13th straight win, 79-48 over the Stallions.
"As much as we don't want that, we were able to try some things,'' Williams said of the early deficit. "Credit to Schlagle for how they started out the game but credit to our guys for sticking together and putting some things together for us.''
Schlagle (0-12, 0-6) led 17-16 at the end of the first quarter and held a 21-18 advantage midway through the second quarter before Highland Park dominated the remainder of the half to take a 32-23 lead.
The Scots were never threatened the rest of the way, using a 27-12 third quarter to take a commanding 59-35 lead into the fourth quarter.
Seniors Tre Richardson and Jahmir Kingcannon scored 18 points apiece to tie for game-high honors while senior Bo Aldridge added 11 points.
Kingcannon broke out of a recent shooting slump with five 3-pointers to help the Scots put the game away.
"He's a kid that we've given a green light to and regardless of make or miss, we're living on that hill,'' Williams said. "That's what we told him at halftime, 'You've got to realize we're going to live on that Jahmir Kingcannon hill. We're with you, we're going to keep finding you.'
"And what I also love is our guys. Our guys just keep looking for our shooters. They trust them and our roles are really starting to iron themselves out and our guys are believing and buying in.''
Ronnie Bush and Merle Peterson scored 13 points apiece for Schlagle.
Schlagle forfeited Thursday's girls game against Highland Park due to a lack of players.
Hihland Park's girls will host KC-Wyandotte on Friday while the Hi Park boys will travel to Wyandotte.
HIGHLAND PARK 79, KC-SCHLAGLE 48
KC-Schlagle 17 6 12 13 -- 48
Highland Park 16 16 27 20 -- 79
KC-Schlagle (0-12, 0-6) -- Fishback 0 0-0 0, Wilson 3-8 2-2 9, Bush 6-10 1-2 13, Moore 1-6 0-0 2, Peterson 6-14 1-2 13, Deboe 2-5 3-4 7, Evans 1-4 2-2 4, Miller 0-0 0-0 0, Ross 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 19-47 9-12 48.
Highland Park (13-0, 6-0)-- Richardson 7-13 4-5 18, Aldridge 5-12 1-2 11, Kingcannon 6-10 1-2 18, Adams 1-1 0-0 3, Drew-Gregory 2-4 2-4 6, Williams 2-5 0-0 5, Robinson 4-4 0-1 8, Anderson 2-6 0-0 6, Taylor 0-1 0-0 0, Wilson 0-1 0-0 0, McMillon 2-3 0-0 4, Davis 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 31-60 8-14 79.
3-point goals -- KC-Schlagle 1 (Wilson), Highland Park 9 (Kingcannon 5, Anderson 2, Adams, Williams). Total fouls -- KC-Schlagle 13, Highland Park 10. Fouled out -- none.
