“This was our county championship, this was our chance to prove that we can play with anybody in the area. We were disappointed in the way we played at Frankton and we felt we had a great opportunity to make it to that championship game.”

Maxwell scored 17 points on 5-of-7 shooting, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Waters chipped in 15 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, and made multiple key plays to secure the win late.

The first came with 2:57 remaining and the Arabians ahead 39-32. The quick Highland guards played tight defense on Waters and forced him to slip near the sideline with two defenders on him. But he was able to keep his balance and his dribble as he drove the lane for a 3-point play.

The second play was equally as impressive and came only a minute later. Waters had lost his dribble and was looking for a pass but the Scots were overly aggressive and all five players came above the 3-point arc. But the freshman point guard kept his poise, looked past them, and found a wide open Nick Swartz underneath the basket for an easy layup.

PH gave Highland fits with its 2-3 zone. Every time a Scots big man caught the ball in the post, the Arabians brought help from the backside and forced the ball out of their hands. The 6-foot-10 Asauhn Tatum and 6-foot-6 Jordan Worley were kept scoreless and forced into a combined three turnovers.

The Arabians traveled to Connersville last night, but results were unavailable for the Pendleton News deadline. They will be back in action Friday night at Greenfield-Central.