Hammond’s Kaki Smith runs with Heathwood Hall’s A’ja Wilson. Heathwood Hall eighth grader A’ja Wilson scored a game–high 19 points to lead the Highlanders (6–6, 2–0) over the Hammond Skyhawks (6–8, 1–1) Tuesday night at Hammond.

The Skyhawks jumped out to an early 5–2 lead thanks to baskets from Kaki Smith and Georgia Theodore, but the Highlanders went on a 7–2 run to take a 9–7 lead into the second quarter. Wilson scored six of Heathwood’s points.

Another Heathwood eighth grader extended the Highlander lead to 12–7 with a conventional three– point play, but the Skyhawks battled back to take a 13–12 lead after Theodore’s shot with 2:15 remaining in the half. That would be the last time Hammond would lead. Wilson’s steal and breakaway lay up put Heathwood up 14–13 at the 1:25 mark of the second quarter. Then Wilson’s put–back and Erin Ress’s long jumper gave the Highlanders an 18–14 lead going into halftime.

Heathwood Hall’s Logan Ress flies through the Hammond defense for a lay up. Logan Ress started the second half for Heathwood with a driving lay up, and Wilson and senior T’Keyah Worthy added four points each to help Heathwood build a 28–15 lead. The Skyhawks balanced attack with baskets from Lizzie Seabrook and Rachel Hanna to go along with a 3–pointer from Elizabeth Stuckey closed the gap to 29–22 to end the third quarter.

Wilson then took over again with a coast–to– coast lay up to start the final quarter. She added three free throws to go along with Erin Ress’s free throw to balloon the lead to 35–24.

Stuckey’s basket with 2:57 remaining in the game made it 35–26, but that was the last of the field goals. The team’s traded free throws for the final outcome.

Both teams left a lot of points on the floor. The Skyhawks finished 9–for– 24 from the free throw line, while the Highlanders were 10–for–30.

Worthy finished with six points for Heathwood Hall. Dickerson and Erin Ress added five, and Logan Ress got three for the highlanders.

Theodore’s seven points led Hammond. Smith added six points. Hanna and Stuckey finished with five. Seabrook got four points, and Katie Hood sank a free throw for the Skyhawks.

Hammond will host Ben Lippen Friday, while the Highlanders will travel to St. Joseph’s.