TOPEKA, Kan. – Winning the Centennial League title is a long shot at best for Highland Park’s boys, with the Scots not only needing to win out, but also get a little help along the way to make up the two-game gap with Topeka West.
But the Scots continue to do their part to make sure they keep whatever slim hopes they have alive.
Highland Park won its eighth straight game Wednesday night with arguably its most complete performance of the season. The Scots went wire to wire and overwhelmed visiting Manhattan with a 65-40 runaway win.
The roller-coaster start to the season that led to an early 3-5 record is now a distant memory for Highland Park, which improved to 11-5 overall and 10-3 in league play.
“You could kind of seeing it coming and it’s been good to see the progression, to see where we were back in December and to keep building and be at the spot we’re at right now late in the season,” Scots coach Michael Williams said. “It’s just good to put a whole game together. I think over the course of the season we’ve put stretches together and put quarters together, but now to be able to put together three quarters, three and a half quarters, four quarters, I think that’s boding well.”
Highland Park led 17-8 at the end of the first quarter and 30-19 at halftime behind nine points from MuKhajae Daniels. The Scots continued to roll in the second half, getting production across the board.
Daniels’ 15 points were a team-high, but he was joined in double figures by CJ Powell (14) and Jahi Peppers (12). In all, nine Scots scored in the game, with six getting four or more points.
Manhattan (8-8, 6-7) was led by Owen Braxmeyer’s 12 points.
HIGHLAND PARK BOYS 65, MANHATTAN 40
Manhattan;8;11;9;12;—;40
Highland Park;17;13;14;21;—;65
Manhattan (8-8, 6-7) — Braxmeyer 4-10 3-7 12, Perkins 2-7 0-0 5, Reid 0-2 0-0 0, Carr 3-5 0-0 6, J. Wilson 3-3 3-4 9, Hall 0-1 0-0 0, Campbell 0-0 0-0 0, Wilcoxsen 0-1 0-0 0, Brown 1-5 0-0 2, C. Wilson 1-2 2-3 4, Coonrod 1-2 0-0 2. Totals 15-38 8-14 40.
Highland Park (11-5, 10-3) — Peppers 5-10 1-1 12, Powell 5-12 1-2 14, Simms 1-3 0-0 2, Daniels 6-7 2-3 15, Flores 2-3 0-0 4, Prosper 1-2 0-0 2, Roberts 3-7 0-0 8, Richardson 2-4 0-0 5, Adams 1-2 0 0-0 3, Davis 0-1 0-0 0, Carter 0-0 0-0 0, Gregory 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 26-51 4-6 65.
3-point goals — Manhattan 2 (Braxmeyer, Perkins), Highland Park 9 (Powell 3, Roberts 2, Peppers, Adams, Richardson, Daniels). Total fouls — Manhattan 8, Highland Park 13. Fouled out — none.
