It took Highland's boys basketball team a bit more than a half on Wednesday night to hit the accelerator with edgy Mountain Pointe which was trying to rebound from a one-point loss the night before to Perry.

The No. 9 and host Hawks outscored the No. 10 Pride, 23-12, in the third period giving them the impetus for a 69-63 win that wasn't as close as the final score indicated.

Highland has reeled off six straight wins to improve to 9-2 overall and 4-1 in the 6A Central Region. Its only two losses are by a point to region-leader Desert Ridge in the season opener and a two-point loss to Valley Vista. Mountain Pointe is 7-3 overall, 4-2 in region. It also has a loss to Desert Ridge.

Both teams hounded one another defensively in the opening half with Mountain Pointe leaving the court with a 30-27 lead at intermission. Highland's shooting in the third quarter was its best of the night (10 for 16). The Hawks made 6 of 12 in the second period after a 3 for 14 showing in the first period. They played from behind the entire first half. 

Three players combined to tally all Highland's points in the stanza -- Derick Kaps (game-high 20 points), Noah Peterson (13 points) and Matix Arnett (10 points). AJ Riggs was a fourth player to score in double figures finishing with 13 (7 of 8 from the free-throw line). Kaps' 10 points in the quarter were all from the perimeter while Peterson (six points) and Arnett (seven points) did their damage in the paint. Highland took an eight-point advantage to the final quarter. A 10-3 run to begin the fourth period bumped the margin to 15. 

"I thought we got some good shots the first half, but they weren't falling," Highland coach Todd Fazio said. "We stuck with it and they started to fall the second half."

Fazio praised Kaps effort in supplying needed offense.

"Derick stepped up and made some big shots, a lot of them off the dribble which he's very good at," Fazio said. "He's stepped in a couple times this year to give us a lift....

"I like where we're at defensively right now. I wasn't sure back in the summer. These kids are very coachable and bring a good effort every night."

Mountain Pointe had three players finish in double figures led by Jason Kimbrough (16), Tru Washington (15) and Jayven Price (10). Kimbrough scored eight of his 16 points in the final 1:36 when the outcome was secured.

Mountain Pointe next plays Friday against another hot team. The Pride hosts No. 5 Brophy Prep, which has won six in a row. Highland gets a second shot at No. 8 Desert Ridge, hosting the Jaguars in a quick turnaround on Thursday.