Highlanders squash Skyhawks

Heathwood Hall’s Corey Littlejohn dunks against Hammond. Corey Littlejohn scored 12 points in the first quarter and 24 overall to lead the Heathwood Hall Highlanders (16–5, 5–2) over the visiting Hammond Skyhawks 55–29 Tuesday, February 2. Mac Whalen chipped in 15, and Morgan Whalen added 8 to improve the Highlanders to 5–2 in region play and 16–5 overall.

The struggling Skyhawks struggled even more Tuesday night without senior starter Aaron Walters. Dave Nidiffer led Hammond with 11 points while Hunter George and Mathew Mc- Clam finished with six points each.

The Skyhawks (1–7, 4–14) took a 4–3 lead with 6:30 remaining in the first quarter after George’s floater in the lane, but that was the last lead of the game for Hammond. Littlejohn exploded scoring 12 of Heathwood Hall’s next 16 points. He did it with lay ups, tip–ins, jump shots, and he added an exclamation point as he finished the quarter with a breakaway dunk to give Heathwood a 19–10 lead.

The Highlanders extended their lead to 31–15 to close the first half. Four different players scored for Heathwood, while Hammond’s points came from Nidiffer’s jumper and conventional three–point play.

After Morgan Whalen’s two quick baskets to start the third quarter, Hammond head coach Jody Lumpkin pulled his starting line–up. Sensing blood in the water, the Highlanders went on an 8–0 run. By the time the starters returned, Heath- wood led 43–17. Littlejohn’s lay up followed by a steal and subsequent jump shot increased the lead to 47–17 with 1:50 remaining in the third quarter. McClam’s free throws and a three–pointer by Brandon Picow cut the lead to 47–22 to close the third, but the Highlander lead ballooned to 55–23 early in the fourth.