SHELLMAN —
The Highland Christian boys basketball team defeated Randolph Southern 81-67 on Friday night.
Tucker Bruce had a big night, scoring a game-high 31 points for the Eagles.
Highland Christian started slowly, and fell behind by as many as 15 points early in the second quarter.
One minute before halftime, Jaylen Hiller converted two foul shots, then Wesley Robinson stole the inbounds pass and hit Tucker Bruce for a quick layup to cut the Eagles’ deficit to nine points at the half.
Then, according to head coach Joel Stites, something changed with his squad at halftime.
“I got on them and challenged them. We hadn’t played well the last six quarters, and we had to start playing our game,” Stites said.
The Eagles responded. They quickly erased the Patriots’ nine-point lead in the third quarter, behind a balanced scoring attack and stellar defense.
“Casey Conn, Julius King and Wesley Robinson shut their guys down. They had some juice in them,” Stites said.
Highland Christian outscored Randolph Southern by 23 points in the second half, 52-29, and rallied for a 14-point victory.
Hiller scored 21 points for Highland Christian and Dusty Thomas added 19 points.
The Eagles are now 2-2 in region play.
Highland will face Randolph Southern again on Tuesday, this time at the Pinevale Learning Center in Valdosta.
Local Sports
Highland Christian defeats Randolph Southern, 81-67
- Local Sports
-
-
Gillespie, McPherson pleased with spring practices
Valdosta’s Rance Gillespie and Lowndes’ Randy McPherson both think their football teams got better during the recent 10 days of spring practice.
Then again, both coaches know their teams have a ways to go before the start of the football season. -
Signing day at VHS
It was signing day galore at Valdosta High School Wednesday.
Six student-athletes signed national letter of intents to compete at the next level, while two VHS athletes both signed academic scholarships to Division I universities. -
Powell signs with Shorter
Robert Powell, a member of the basketball team on South Georgia State College’s Waycross Campus, has signed a letter of intent to continue his basketball career at Shorter University in Rome.
-
Sending the Blazers off
The Valdosta State softball team made the long journey to Salem, Va. Tuesday, leaving Valdosta at 10:30 a.m. with devoted fans cheering them out of the parking lot.
-
All-Region teams announced
Lowndes was one win away from a trip to the Class AAAAAA state semifinals, and the success by the Vikings this season showed when the All-Region 1 baseball teams were announced Monday.
-
Lowndes tennis dominates
Lowndes’ tennis team dominated the All-Region 1 teams, with coach Heath Phelps garnering Coach of the Year honors on both the girls’ and boys’ side.
-
Banks Lake Youth Fishing Derby a success
The 13th annual Banks Lake Youth Fishing Derby held May 11 drew 150 children from ages 3 to 15 who competed for trophies while learning how to fish.
-
Valdosta's Alakulppi ties for 2nd at state
Valdosta freshman golfer Luukas Alakulppi fired a 71 to finish in a tie for second at the Class AAAAAAA state golf tournament in Tifton.
-
Brooks County's Parrish in Rivals Top 100
Brooks County rising senior Malkolm Parrish is ranked the 73rd best high school football prospect in the nation, according to the release of the Rivals.com Top 100.
-
Summer camp information
VSU baseball camp coming soon
- More Local Sports Headlines
-
Gillespie, McPherson pleased with spring practices



