#4 Highland took stock at intermission that it was weary playing catch up in its first-round Open Division boys game with visiting #29 Sahuaro.

The host Hawks shifted into high gear in a huge way in the third quarter, erased a 34-27 deficit and rolled to a 75-51 triumph over the Cougars.

Highland (25-2) won its 12th consecutive game, blowing the game open in the third period outscoring Sahuaro, 27-3. The Hawks haven't lost on the 2023 side of the 2022-23 season. They won the 6A Central Region with a perfect 10-0 record and showed their real selves with their second-half effort. Sahuaro (20-6), which shared the 4A Kino Region title with Pueblo, will be allowed to enter the 4A state tournament later on - a proviso of losing in the first or second round of the Open Division tournament.

Highland received leadership it needed from seniors Brock Knollmiller and Noah Peterson, who combined for 38 points. Knollmiller tallied 13 of his team-high 20 in the first half. Peterson chalked up 17 of his 18 points in the second half. Fellow starters Michael Johnson and Hayden Winegar weren't shabby either, offering up 13 points apiece. They inflicted three-point damage with Winegar connecting on four treys (three in the third period) and Johnson sinking three.

Sahuaro's 34-27 lead at halftime was fueled by 5-foot-8 freshman guard Cisco Llamas. Llamas blistered the nets for 25 of his game-high 30 points in the opening half. Five of six threes he hit were scored in the first half and from just about every angle. 

Highland plays at home again in the Open Division's second-round Friday at 7 p.m. The Hawks take on #13 Desert Mountain, a 76-60 winner over #20 Mesa.