Les Nicholson Photography
Les Nicholson Photography
For the first time in the history of Sweet 16, Highlands is the champion of the state of Kentucky.
In a clash between the two best teams in the state, runner-up Highlands Bluebirds (28-5) ran away with the 2021 KHSAA Boy’s Sweet 16 Tournament against number 1 Elizabethtown Panthers (21-3) for a final score of 79 -60 in. from Rupp Arena on Saturday night. Highlands established a 47-26 lead at the break before crossing over to the show’s first Sweet 16 title.
FINAL: Elizabethtown – 60 Highlands – 79
Bluebirds have their first Sweet 16 Championship. The last time they were here was in 1997, when Jared Lorenzen and Derek Smith took them to the title game. Fantastic Highlands race and star player Sam Vinson.
– Zack Geoghegan (@ZGeogheganKSR) April 4, 2021
The first few minutes were not a preview of what was to come. Both sides were dealing with the classic nervousness of the title game, as Highlands was losing wide eyes while Elizabethtown was strangely turning the ball. E-Town’s Camden Williams kicked off the action, scoring the first basket of the game before Sam Vinson attacked for Highlands first. The Bluebirds missed their first four attempts at shooting behind the arch before Luke Muller finally hit on the fifth attempt.
After the first triple made by Highlands, Williams returned with his own score that put the Panthers in the 7-4 defeat, three minutes after the start of the competition. A pair of layups and another 3-point Highlands resulted in a 7-0 run that increased his lead to double digits. Elizabethtown coach James Haire was forced to ask for time with his team looking a little slow.
Out of range, both sides exchanged a few buckets before Zachary Barth pierced another 3 points for the Bluebirds which gave them a 19-8 lead. However, E-Town responded with a mini 5-0 that reduced the deficit to 19-13, but the momentum returned in favor of Highlands. They closed the first quarter with four consecutive points to control a 23-13 lead by going to the second frame. E-Town turned the ball six times during the opening period.
End first. Elizabethtown- 13 Highlands – 23
6 sales to E-Town in the first quarter and 11 points out of those errors to Highlands. Both sides shoot 45%
This Oliver Harris e-1 puts Highlands in the double digits. pic.twitter.com/xuayME4TPR
– Zack Geoghegan (@ZGeogheganKSR) April 4, 2021
Perhaps the tiredness of playing four games in four days has started to weigh on Elizabethtown, who plays mostly with her five starters for the overwhelming majority of the team’s minutes. But the pitches they had been making routinely in the first few games were insufficient on Saturday night. Highlands scored the first four points of the second quarter and increased the lead to 27-13.
Elizabethtown responded with a triple to Williams, but Highlands responded with a 3-pointer just 20 seconds later. For the remainder of the semester, this would become a trend. Vinson was able to secure a steal from the backcourt for an easy tray when the Bluebirds broke another 5-0 streak.
Les Nicholson Photography
With four minutes remaining for the second half, Elizabethtown fired four quick points, courtesy of Khia and Kam Sherrard, but Highlands pierced a possession of 3 points in the next possession. The Panthers quickly added four more consecutive points, but it was all in vain when Muller hit another massive triple. A Kam Sherrard bucket at the two-minute mark put Elizabethtown down 38-26, but Highlands responded again with a kick from the bottom when Leyton Read fell 3 more.
William Herald would put two more points out of 3 for Highlands in the last 45 seconds of time to extend his lead to a dangerous 47-26 lead at halftime. The Bluebirds hit 6-8 downtown in the second quarter and all five players scored at least six points.
The third quarter was the closest to the night so far in terms of point production – both sides added 19 points each – but Highlands was happy to keep pace with Elizabethtown, as the Bluebirds consistently held a 20-25 point lead . In fact, E-Town did a much better job of limiting their attack on the Highlands, but they were unable to convert as they needed on the other end of the line. To close the third period, the Bluebirds endured a period of four minutes without a field goal, but still led by 21 in the final eight minutes.
Third end: Elizabethtown – 45 Highlands – 66
Highlands was 4 minutes without a field goal in 3rd, but led 21. Sam Vinson has 16 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and a perfect 6-6 on the free-throw line.
Bluebirds are 8 minutes from a state title.
– Zack Geoghegan (@ZGeogheganKSR) April 4, 2021
All Highlands had to do was to avoid a complete collapse and the title was theirs. And without much trouble, they avoided any potential return from Elizabethtown. Points were rare to obtain in the fourth period, but the Bluebirds did more than enough to stay well beyond an attack distance on their way to the school’s first state title. It was only the second time that Highlands had fought for the title, the first in 1997, when former Kentucky Football Wildcats Jared Lorenzen and Derek Smith were wearing basketball jerseys.
The Northern Kentucky University commit and Highland senior guard Sam Vinson were named MVP of the tournament, while Zachary Barth and Luke Muller were named to the All-Tournament Team. For Elizabethtown, Alandre Murphy, Kam Sherrard and Jaquias Franklin were all nominated for the All-Tournament Team.
