Highlanders Jack Richwood 77-65

Opening tipoff between Webster and Richwood.

The Webster County Highlanders boys' basketball team beat back a fourth quarter rally by the visiting  Richwood Lumberjacks Monday evening by a final score of 77 to 65 at Upperglade.

Webster took its first lead at 10 to 9 late in the first quarter and never surrendered the lead after that. The Highlanders led 33 to 25 at halftime and rolled to a 16 point lead at 61 to 45 with 6:28 remaining in the game.  This seemingly insurmountable lead was due in large part to 5 points scored by crowd favorite senior Michael Malcomb, who also added a block and a steal during this stretch of the game. The 16 point lead was also aided by senior Hayden Williams' two 3 point bombs in the third quarter.

Timeout during fourth quarter action against Richwood.

Richwood did not go away quietly, however, as they mounted a furious rally to pull within 6 points with about 2:30 remaining in the game. Sophomore Dorian Groggs, who led all players in scoring with 24 points, then sealed the win for the Highlanders with six made free throws in a row.

With the win, the Highlanders improve to 2 wins, 1 loss on the season.  They next play at Clay County this Thursday evening.

For the first time this year, senior Dalton Gray, one of Webster's leading scorers from last season, played for the Highlanders.  While he scored 17 points, his shooting percentage was less than normal as he shook off what appeared to be the lingering effects of a high ankle injury sustained earlier this year in practice.

Individual scoring for Webster: Malcolm 5; Williams 19; Groggs 24; Dalton Gray 17; Tyler Gray 4; Mathias Palmer 4; Cole McCourt 4.