Heathwood Hal l’s Joseph James dr ives around a Hammond defender. Photo by Jeff Blake/ColumbiaWeddingPhotos.com Joseph James scored 11 points, and Shelton Whittaker added 10 to lead the Heathwood Hall Highlanders to a 45- 41 victory over the homestanding Hammond Skyhawks Tuesday, January 31.

Hammond was fired up at the start and took an early 9- 4 lead behind a fast-break dunk by Doak Fisher and a long 3-pointer by Brandon Picow, but Heathwood eventually tied the score and led 13- 11 after the quarter behind seven points from James. The Highlanders (14-5, 5-1) extended the lead to eight midway through the second quarter before Hammond (10- 9, 2-4) chipped away, and Heathwood went into intermission holding only a four-point cushion, 23- 19.

The third quarter featured both teams working on their passing games, but not much on their shooting. The Highlanders outscored Hammond 8-7 to increase their lead to 31-26. Heathwood then pushed the lead to eight with five minutes to go in the game before the Skyhawks began to come back.

Hammond’s Doak Fisher dunks against Heathwood Hall. Picow hit a runner, Andrew McClam grabbed an offensive rebound and hit one of two free throws, and Picow hit another jumper to get Hammond back to within five, but McClam fouled out with 2: 02 remaining, taking away one of the Skyhawks’ rebounders. After an Alex Bueno basket, Picow hit another three to pull the Skyhawks to within one, but down the stretch, Bueno hit four free throws to keep Heathwood out of reach.

James, Whittaker, and Bradley Singleton all pulled down seven rebounds for the Highlanders. Picow led Hammond with 12 points and five rebounds, and Ken Krupa scored 11 for the Skyhawks.

Heathwood hosts Cardinal Newman Friday, February 3. Hammond travels to Florence Christian Thursday, February 2 before hosting Augusta Christian 0Friday.