The Highlands Highlanders basketball squad (Highlands, NC), was crushed 82-33 in Monday's league battle with the host Murphy Bulldogs (Murphy, NC)

With the victory, Murphy advances its record to 4-4 on the year. The Bulldogs travel to Polk County (Benton, TN) to meet the Wildcats in a non-league battle on Tuesday, January 7. The Wildcats enter the battle with a record of 6-5. Polk County won 91-69 in their recent non-league battle against Hayesville (Hayesville, NC)

The Highlanders now own a 3-7 record. They put it on the line next when they host Cherokee for a 1A Smoky Mountain battle on Tuesday, January 7. Highlands will meet a Braves squad coming off a 2-0 non-league loss to Centennial (Roswell, GA). The Braves record now stands at 4-4.