Higley Holds Off Mountain Pointe to Advance to round two
In a game filled with momentum swings, the #12 seed Higley Knights fought off a late push from #21 seed Mountain Pointe to secure a 68-54 victory in the first round of the Arizona Open state playoffs. Behind a stellar performance from junior point guard Noah Gloor and a strong showing from senior shooting guard Donovan Dabney, Higley held on to advance to the next round.
Higley Starts Strong
The game began as a back-and-forth battle, with both teams locked at 8-8 early on. However, Higley soon found its rhythm, closing the first quarter on a 12-4 run to take a 20-12 lead.
That momentum carried into the second quarter, where the Knights extended their lead to 30-14 before Mountain Pointe responded with a push of their own. By halftime, Higley held a 39-26 advantage, but Mountain Pointe had shown flashes of resilience.
A Game of Runs
Higley opened the second half aggressively, quickly building a 46-29 lead. Their defense held Mountain Pointe in check, and by the end of the third quarter, the Knights were in control at 57-37.
But Mountain Pointe refused to go down quietly. They stormed back in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to just 58-52 with around two minutes left. Just when it seemed like the game might slip away, Higley responded with a composed finish, closing out the game with a strong final push to secure the 68-54 win.
Standout Performances
• Noah Gloor (#2): 26 points – The junior point guard led the way offensively, attacking the defense and delivering when it mattered most.
• Donovan Dabney (#0): 19 points – The senior guard provided a key scoring boost, helping Higley build and maintain their lead.
Survive and Advance
While Higley controlled much of the game, Mountain Pointe’s late surge tested their composure. In the end, the Knights stayed poised and made key plays down the stretch to seal the victory.
With this first-round win, Higley moves on in the Arizona Open state playoffs, ready to take on their next challenge against #5 O’Conner.
