Highland鈥檚 Grade 9 boys basketball played three outstanding games in the Timberline tournament on Dec. 17-18.

Their first game was against Brooks where they both battled very well, until the fourth quarter, where Highland鈥檚 defence consistently stopped Brooks鈥檚 offence, and Highland鈥檚 offence was too much for Brooks鈥檚 defence. Highland won by 12. Highland then met the home team, Timberline, in the semifinal on Saturday.

This was the epitome of end-to-end action with both teams playing intense defence. Heading into the fourth quarter, the score was 32-32 with a hometown crowd rooting for their team. With 47 seconds left Highland was up 41-38.

鈥淥ur defence was outstanding that quarter, holding them to only six points in the entire eight minutes of playm鈥� said coach Brian Stevens.

The game ended 41-38 and Highland met Isfeld in the final. From the start, Highland鈥檚 play was crisp, the defence was solid, and offence was on in the all-Comox Valley final.

鈥淲e really dialed it in during the final game and played a very good complete game,鈥� said Stevens.

Highland beat Isfeld by 20 points to win the tournament.

The Highland Grade 9 boys then played the Timberline Grade 10 team at home on Dec. 20 and played a very tough game against the older team. Highland proceeded to beat Timberline by 14 points.