Late 3rd quarter surge powers Triad past Highland for key conference road victory

Jonathan Duncan
·2 min read

In the first 16 minutes Friday night, Highland’s basketball team had Mississippi Valley Conference leader Triad right where they wanted them, down just one point at halftime.

Late in the third quarter, Drew Winslow and the Knights turned the tables on HHS.

Winslow scored five points to ignite a decisive 12-3 run, which helped propel Triad to a 50-37 win at Highland High School. The Knights improved to 22-6 overall while remaining atop the Mississippi Valley Conference standings with a 7-1 ledger.

Beating Highland for the first time in four games dating back to last season thrilled Triad coach Jeff Guidry.

“I was happy for the guys. It’s been a while since we beat these guys and to be able to do it on their floor is even better,” he said.

Guidry was especially pleased with the work of Winslow, the Knights’ 6-5 senior forward who scored 15 of his game-high 20 points in the second half.

“I got on him at halftime and he responded and he got out there in the third quarter and made plays,” Guidry said.

HHS fell behind 6-0 early behind a pair of buckets from Winslow, but a 9-3 run capped by a Jake Ottensmeier 3-pointer forged a 9-9 deadlock after one quarter.

A Jake Stewart free throw in the final 30 seconds of the second quarter gave Triad a 14-13 lead at halftime.

Winslow’s five points keyed the aforementioned 12-3 run in the final five minutes of the third stanza, pushing the Knights to a 31-22 lead.

“For me (then), it was just getting to the rim and going to the basket and making plays,” Winslow said.

Triad extended its advantage to as many as 15 points with 2:45 left to go and ultimately settled for the 13-point victory.

Overall, the outcome left Highland — which fell to 18-9 overall and 4-4 in MVC action — searching for answers after struggling on offense and getting outscored 36-24 in the second half.

“I thought the effort was real good, but we’ve gotta clean up some things offensively, and we have to understand that down the stretch, when you play these good teams, it may take you 45 seconds, it may take you a minute and a half to score,” Bulldogs coach Deryl Cunningham said.

“There were several times where we’re trying to make a play too fast, and it’s just out of anxiousness to win, but at the same time, we have to have enough discipline to know how it’s gonna get done.”

Ottensmeier led Highland with 17 points. McGrady Noyes added 11 points for Triad.

Triad’s McGrady Noyes drives to the basket against Highland’s Cade Altadonna during Friday night’s Mississippi Valley Conference game. The Knights ultimately posted a 50-37 victory.
Triad’s McGrady Noyes drives to the basket against Highland’s Cade Altadonna during Friday night’s Mississippi Valley Conference game. The Knights ultimately posted a 50-37 victory.
Highland’s Brenden Gelly drives the baseline during Friday night’s Mississippi Valley Conference game against Triad. The Knights ultimately posted a 50-37 victory.
Highland’s Brenden Gelly drives the baseline during Friday night’s Mississippi Valley Conference game against Triad. The Knights ultimately posted a 50-37 victory.
Highland’s Jake Ottensmeier lays the ball up during Friday night’s Mississippi Valley Conference game against Triad. The Knights ultimately posted a 50-37 victory.
Highland’s Jake Ottensmeier lays the ball up during Friday night’s Mississippi Valley Conference game against Triad. The Knights ultimately posted a 50-37 victory.
Triad’s Jake Stewart goes up for the dunk during Friday night’s Mississippi Valley Conference game against Highland. The Knights ultimately posted a 50-37 victory.
Triad’s Jake Stewart goes up for the dunk during Friday night’s Mississippi Valley Conference game against Highland. The Knights ultimately posted a 50-37 victory.
Triad’s Jake Stewart shoots over Highland’s Braxdon Decker during Friday night’s Mississippi Valley Conference game. The Knights ultimately posted a 50-37 victory.
Triad’s Jake Stewart shoots over Highland’s Braxdon Decker during Friday night’s Mississippi Valley Conference game. The Knights ultimately posted a 50-37 victory.
Highland’s Jake Ottensmeier shoots the ball during Friday night’s Mississippi Valley Conference game against Triad. The Knights ultimately posted a 50-37 victory.
Highland’s Jake Ottensmeier shoots the ball during Friday night’s Mississippi Valley Conference game against Triad. The Knights ultimately posted a 50-37 victory.
Highland’s Jake Ottensmeier lays the ball up during Friday night’s Mississippi Valley Conference game against Triad. The Knights ultimately posted a 50-37 victory.
Highland’s Jake Ottensmeier lays the ball up during Friday night’s Mississippi Valley Conference game against Triad. The Knights ultimately posted a 50-37 victory.
Highland’s Cade Altadonna drives to the basket during Friday night’s Mississippi Valley Conference game against Triad. The Knights ultimately posted a 50-37 victory.
Highland’s Cade Altadonna drives to the basket during Friday night’s Mississippi Valley Conference game against Triad. The Knights ultimately posted a 50-37 victory.