Takeaways from Highland Park’s win at Hayden

<p>Highland Park exploded to a big lead at Hayden, only to see the Wildcats nearly pull off a dramatic comeback. Highland Park improved to 5-1, while Hayden dropped to 2-4. Here are some takeaways from the Highland Park win at Hayden:</p> <p>1) Highland Park's<strong> CJ Powell</strong> is a handful:</p> <p>Powell did it inside and outside with 2 threes and two midrange jumpers when the Scots bolted out to a 23-8 first quarter lead. Powell is 6-foot-7 and thickly built, but his smooth, agile movements belie his size. He came in averaging 15, but scored an easy 22 at Hayden.</p> <p>2) <strong>John Roeder</strong> leads a determined Wildcat bunch:</p> <p>Hayden fell behind 23-8 in the first quarter and could easily have phoned it in. But the multitalented Roeder led a valiant comeback with eight points and spirited leadership in the second half. The Wildcats closed to within one point three times late, but couldn’t quite get over the hump.</p> <p>3) Highland Park is more than just a big three:</p> <p><strong>Juan’Tario Roberts</strong> entered the Hayden game scoring 21.6 a game. Powell averaged 15, while <strong>Jahi Peppers</strong> averaged 11. But Roberts and Peppers were just two of several guards who contributed to the Scots win at Hayden. Senior <strong>Donald Daniels</strong> was the second-leading scorer for Highland Park with 12. <strong>Jeremyah Kendrick</strong> and <strong>Mu’Khajhae Daniels </strong>each scored four and received compliments from their coach, Michael Williams, following the game.</p> <p>4) The Scots are young, and improving:</p> <p>Highland Park won more games, four, than it did all last season. Coach Williams was quick to point out that his Scots went just 3-18 last year, and are still learning what it takes to win.</p> <p>Roberts, the Scots leading scorer, is just a sophomore. Powell, Peppers, Kendrick and Mu’Khajhae Daniels are all juniors. Highland Park played just two seniors in the win at Hayden – <strong>Kelvin Curry</strong> and Donald Daniels.</p> <p>5)<strong> Cade Pavlik</strong> is a three-point weapon for Hayden:</p> <p>Pavlik entered the game shooting threes at a 32% clip. He showed against Highland Park that at 6-foot-2, he can get his shoot off against smaller opponents. He buried back-to-back threes in the third quarter to fire Hayden’s comeback. Pavlik finished with four triples, a couple of them quickly released with defenders in his face.</p>