The Highland Men's Basketball team improved to 16-5 and 1-0 in KJCCC play after defeating the Labette Cardinals on the road Wednesday night 74-70. They also tied up the All-time series (started in 1967) with the Cardinals at 25-25  over 50 total contests.
 
Highland led by as much as 11-points multiple times throughout the first half but the Cardinals cut it to only a 9-point Highland lead at the break.
 
After a DJ Doakes 16-foot jumper with 10:38 to play in the game, Highland led by 13, 62-49. A three-minute dry spell for Highland opened the door for the Cardinals and they took advantage cutting the lead to just one with 6:28 to play in the game.
 
Taiveyhon Mason knocked down a three-pointer to extend the Highland lead to 4-points, 70-66 with 3:27 to play. The Cardinals answered two more times but Highland got baskets when they needed them late to get the 74-70 win.
 
Accurate three-point shooting gave Highland the advantage in this matchup as the Scotties went 12-21, 57% from the three-point line. Taiveyhon Mason finished 5-6 from deep and Holden Redparth went 4-5.
 
Redparth led the Scotties in scoring with 18-points, six rebounds, and three blocks. Mason finished with 17-points, four assists and four rebounds and Alonzo Williams was the other Scottie in double figures at 15-points.
 
"I was ready to get our name out there and start conference play right with a win," commented Alonzo Williams in his post-game interview.
 
The Scotties are 1-0 in KJCCC play and will host Johnson County Community College this coming Saturday, January 27 in Highland at 3:00pm.