Basketball Game Preview: Highland Hawks vs. Queen Creek Bulldogs

Highland is 10-0 against Queen Creek since February of 2020 and they'll have a chance to extend that success on Tuesday. The Highland Hawks will head out on the road to face off against the Queen Creek Bulldogs at 7:00 p.m. Given that the two teams suffered a loss in their last games, they both have a little extra motivation heading into this matchup.

Last Friday, Highland was within striking distance but couldn't close the gap as they fell 50-46 to Williams Field. While losing is never fun, the Hawks can't take it too hard given the team's big disadvantage in MaxPreps' Arizona basketball rankings (they are ranked 71st, while the Black Hawks are ranked 19th).

Despite the defeat, Highland saw an underclassman step up: sophomore Bailey Williams almost dropped a double-double on 17 points and nine rebounds. That's the most boards Williams has posted since back in February of 2024. The team also got some help courtesy of Peyton Jacobsen, who posted seven points in addition to five rebounds and three steals.

Meanwhile, it's never fun to lose, and it's even less fun to lose 70-27, which was the final score in Queen Creek's tilt against Higley on Friday.

Queen Creek dropped their record down to 6-17 with the loss, which was their sixth straight on the road. As for Highland, their defeat ended a four-game streak of wins at home and dropped them to 11-11.

Everything came up roses for Highland against Queen Creek in their previous meeting back in January, as the team secured a 59-26 win. One of the biggest obstacles the team faced in that game was Queen Creek's Amaya Rodgers, who earned 13 points along with five boards and three steals. Now that she's got a second chance to win this matchup, will Highland still be able to contain Rodgers? Check MaxPreps.com after the match to find out.