Campo Verde Outlasts Highland

In a matchup that felt like a mid-season playoff preview, Campo Verde and Highland traded blows all night before the Coyotes finally pulled away late for a 66–61 win. The tone was set early when Kenzie Lewis knocked down a jumper two minutes in to break the early scoring drought for both teams. From there, both teams dug in defensively—possessions were physical, and contested every trip down court.

Highland found the first real rhythm, stringing together a quick run to go up 7–4. Their aggressive defense had Campo in foul trouble early, and by the halfway point of the first quarter, the Hawks were already in the bonus. Junior Bailey Williams gave Highland a huge spark, helping them close the quarter with momentum and a 16–12 lead.

The second quarter turned into a game of runs. Campo Verde tightened the screws defensively, flipping the energy and taking a 22–19 lead midway through the period. But the three-point line quickly became the great equalizer. Back-to-back triples from Cabot Hamilton pushed the Coyotes ahead 28–21 with just over three minutes left. Highland answered right back—two Peyton Jacobsen threes cut it to 28–27 with 1:40 remaining. Anna Manning’s corner three in the final minute helped Campo Verde steady enough to go into the locker room up 31–30 after a back-and-forth first half.

Campo Verde opened the third quarter determined to wear down Highland with pressure defense. The Coyotes built a 42–35 lead behind their tempo, but Highland once again punched back with a 6–0 run to make it 42–41. A Bailey Williams three finally swung the lead back to Highland, 44–42, before Hamilton responded from deep to flip it again. The quarter ended with a dagger—Bailey Barnes pulling up from the parking lot as the buzzer sounded, sending Campo Verde into the fourth quarter up 53–51.

The final frame began with both teams trading buckets. Every time one team looked ready to stretch the lead, the other countered within a possession or two. But the difference down the stretch was shot-making. Bailey Barnes, who had already buried one buzzer-beater, hit three huge threes in the second half—all momentum-shifters—and they proved too much for Highland to overcome.

Campo Verde closed it out 66–61 in a game defined by toughness, runs, and big-time perimeter shooting. If this is any indication of what’s coming in 5A this season, fans are in for a fun winter. Despite being in foul trouble, freshman phenom Jaiyana Bogan-Jacobs finished with 16 points and a handful of ass

ists and steals. Junior transfer Jayda Haley added 13. Sophomore Peyton Jacobesn led Highland with 16 points, and junior guard Bailey Williams added 14 despite sitting on the bench quite a bit due to foul trouble. Campo Verde moves to 2-0 on the season, and Highland falls to 2-1.