Sports Writer

The Highland Home Flying Squadron marched into Goshen on Tuesday for a crucial region contest, but it was the Eagles that increased their winning streak to four in a row with a 59-52 win over the visitors.

The first quarter started with a barrage of 3-point attempts. Marcus Jones hit three, 3-pointers for Highland Home and Averick Rodgers hit two for Goshen. Both teams battled from beyond the three-point ark with little results. The score at the end of the first quarter was GHS 15-HHHS 13.

In the opening minutes of the second quarter, Goshen extended its lead only to be answered by a one man wrecking crew from the Squadron. Marcus Jones scored 12 of Highland Home’s 16 second quarter points. The Eagles would stick to their long-range strategy in the second quarter. Averick Rodgers hit three big 3-pointers and Ge-Vonne Cooper would hit two. The fist half was a close battle but the Squadron edged the Eagles 29-28.

At halftime, GHS head coach Major Lane decided to cut off the Squadron’s first half lifeline. Goshen held Jones without a basket in the third, but Tobias Washington and Steve Pruitt picked up the slack and scored half of the Squadron’s third quarter points. The score was tied at 41-41 after the third.

But the bad news for Highland Home was that the Eagles’ Kendaris Pelton was beginning

to warm up. He ruled the boards and was unstoppable down in the paint. The game would stay close to the very end, but Pelton shattered all hopes of an upset, sealing the game with the final four points of the contest, both dunks.

Pelton finished the game with 26 points and 15 rebounds. He received help from Averick Rodgers with 15 (5-of-10 shooting from three-point land) and Ge-Vonne Cooper with 13. Marcus Jones led Highland Home with 25 points. Goshen improves their record to 11-4 on the year. They’ll face the Georgiana Panthers on Thursday night.

The Lady Eagles and Lady Flying Squadron also matched up Tuesday night. The Lady Eagles had a three game winning streak on their back coming into this game, but the Squadron came out on fire and took a 12-0 lead, eventually winning the game, 50-30.

Goshen would come in the second half and make a few runs toward the lead but

fell short.

Ashley Miniard led Goshen with 14 points and 14 rebounds. The Lady Squadron were led by Kim Merriweather with 14 and Amanda Dunn with 11.