To give you an opportunity to see what's new, and what has changed, we have taken the paywall down temporarily.
Currently, there is no need to log into the site.
We will provide instructions for creating new account and resetting passwords when the paywall is turned back on.
The 2021-22 Eureka Springs Highlanders had perhaps the best boys basketball season in the history of the school. The Highlanders went undefeated in regular- season conference play and then swept the district and regional tournaments before reaching the second round of the Class 2A state tournament.
Along the way, the Highlanders beat the eventual 2A state champions and senior guard Matthew Lester set the school’s all-time scoring record.
But it’s a new season now, and the Highlanders aren’t exactly starting from scratch. Seniors Dylan Johnson and Shane Holloway return to lead this year’s team, which was riding a six-game winning streak before losing at home to Berryville 59-44 on Friday, Nov. 11.
Johnson, now in his second season at Eureka Springs after transferring in from Oklahoma, set a school record for three-pointers in a season as a junior. On Nov. 4, he added the school’s single-game mark for three-pointers to his resume, hitting 11 during a 39-point performance as the Highlanders routed Founders Classical 59-36 on Homecoming night at Highlander Arena.
Both the season and single- game school records for three-pointers had been held by Johnson’s late cousin, Dalton Johnson.
Johnson made four three-pointers and led the Highlanders with 24 points in the loss to Berryville. Junior guard Michael Lester added 10.
“He’s really shot the ball well this year,” Eureka Springs coach Brian Rambo said of Dylan Johnson. “He’s our best player, our leader for sure.”
At 6-11, Holloway gives the Highlanders the kind of physical presence on the inside that is uncommon for a 2A team.
“He’s been doing a good job controlling the boards and blocking shots,” Rambo said. “He’s doing a great job for us protecting the rim and we’re scoring just enough. We’re not the juggernaut that we were last year on offense, obviously, but we’re scoring just enough to win some close games and give ourselves a chance.”
Rambo said the Highlanders fully expect to be a target for their conference opponents after last season’s success.
“No doubt about it,” he said. “I’ve talked to the other coaches and for whatever reason, I think we’re the favorites in their minds. Even though we lost a lot, I think that says a lot about the respect we have inside the conference. So people are going to come out and measure themselves against us. They’re going to bring their A-game.”
Eureka Springs will host Future School at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Decatur tournament.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here