Title IX Holiday Classic: What We Learned About Highland School vs Legacy Early

<span style="color: #000080;text-decoration: underline"><strong><span style="font-size: 14pt">Title IX Holiday Classic: What We Learned About Highland School vs Legacy Early College</span></strong></span> &nbsp; The Title IX Holiday Tournament brought 75 teams and a whole bunch of college coaches to Washington D.C. to play under one roof.  Teams from the US of A and Canada converged on five courts and their have been some great games played.  We were particularly interested in the Highland School who has went from a school not known for basketball to a top 30 DMV program in what seems like overnight. &nbsp; After losing their opening game of the tournament blowing a third 8 point lead, Highland found themselves up by as much as 18 points against Legacy Early College (TX).  The lead whittled down to 12 points in the third quarter and the Hawks found themselves trailing by one with a minute left before forcing overtime.  They were able to overcome down the stretch and get a huge 60-56 victory. &nbsp; <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="color: #000080;font-size: 14pt;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Five things we learn about Highland School.</strong></span></span> &nbsp; <span style="color: #008000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Margaret Groux is a really good player.</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_22198" align="alignnone" width="150"] Margaret Groux[/caption] The 6'2" senior really balled out grew into an assassin right before our eyes.  She did everything from hitting three pointers, to attacking the rim and knocking down clutch free throws.  She's very good at using her length to draw contact before finishing plays.  She is a good rebounder that can get the defensive board and turn on the jets to get the ball up court in transition.  She finished the game with nine points but had a huge three point play in overtime. &nbsp; <span style="color: #008000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Kayla Soltys is a bonified scorer.</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_22197" align="alignnone" width="150"] Kayla Soltys[/caption] Kayla, playing without sister Abby who was away on a college visit, scored 21 points in a variety of ways.  She had three 3-pointers, drives, rebound put-backs and made free throws.  She streaks the floor in transition many times beating the defense down for an easy catch and finish.  She is a good shooter and attacks really well.  At 6'1" she has the size and skill to play basketball at the college level, however, the dual sport senior will be taking her talent to Mercer University for lacrosse. &nbsp; <span style="color: #008000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Megan Kirby is a terrific defender.</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_22199" align="alignnone" width="150"] Megan Kirby[/caption] The point guard has really good IQ and vision on the floor.  Defensively she is a terror, all over the court harassing ball handlers.  She has really quick hands and feet and her speed is very deceptive.  The sophomore can score when needed getting six points in the first half and scored nine the previous day. &nbsp; <span style="color: #008000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Alyssa Austin is the unsung hero.</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_22200" align="alignnone" width="150"] Alyssa Austin[/caption] We don't get to talk about Alyssa often ad she does a lot of the dirty work that doesn't get noticed.  The truth is that Alyssa keeps the ship afloat.  She runs the point and plays off the ball and can score doing both.  She had 14 points in the win with four of those points coming in overtime. &nbsp; <span style="color: #008000;text-decoration: underline"><strong>Mckenzie Cochrane is part of Highland's future.</strong></span> [caption id="attachment_22201" align="alignnone" width="150"] Mckenzie Cochrane[/caption] The 6'2' sophomore is long and works relentlessly without the ball.  She had several plays defensively altering shots and some big rebounds to give the Hawks second chances to score.  She scored four much needed points in the first half as this game went down to the wire. &nbsp; At the end of the day the Highland School not previously known for basketball has a program that has a program that has been thrusted in the national spotlight in the last month playing in some major events and have held their own.  This school has a bright athletic future if they can keep the talent coming in.