Foreign exchange students leads Highlands over McQueen

Highlands coach Greg Drumheller has a problem any coach would love to have. Before the season, the sixth-year coach welcomed a 6-foot-9, highly skilled Yugoslavian senior exchange student to his roster, which was already filled with quick guards.

But after Sead Dizdarevic scored 28 points to lead Highlands to a 60-53 win over McQueen in the first round of the Capital Classic on Thursday at Morse Burley Gymnasium, Drumheller wasn't beaming.

"I wasn't happy at all with how we played," Drumheller said. "We got up big and we put in the reserves and McQueen came back on us. They (the reserves) haven't played that much this season."

The Lancers (3-6) never could overcome a dismal first quarter where they were outscored 16-5. They trailed 28-14 at halftime and never cut Highlands' lead to single digits until there was 1.4 seconds left in the game. Highlands (6-5) led by as many as 21 points in the fourth quarter. Dustin Rosness scored 13 points to lead McQueen.

"McQueen came back there at the end," Drumheller said. "It was a very hard fought game by both teams. McQueen came out with a game plan and stuck to it."

Highlands of Sacramento will play Manogue today at 5:40 p.m. in one semifinal. Carson will play Wooster in the other semifinal at 7:15.

Dizdarevic hit nine field goals and was a perfect 10-of-10 from the line against McQueen.

"He came over here and wants a scholarship. He's a definite Division I (player)," Drumheller said. "He can do it all. What he needs to learn is that if he doesn't work hard this year there won't be a next year. What that means is that he's a Division I 3 (small forward) but he needs to be a high school 5 (center)."

The funny part is that Dizdarevic, who's been averaging 22 ppg, is relative unknown--for now.

He didn't participate in any of the all-star camps this summer, which is where the top juniors showcase their talents for college scouts. But Drumheller said after each of Highland's 11 games this season, somebody with a connection to some college has assured him that Dizdarevic will be at a college campus next fall.

Drumheller didn't specify one school that is in the lead at this point, only saying a wide range of Division I programs, including Georgetown, have expressed interest.

Yeah, big problems.

WOOSTER 66, SPARKS 47

Julian Hatcher scored a game high 36 points, including 26 in the second half, and Joey Galow had 14 as the Colts rolled past the Railroaders in a first round game at Morse Burley Gymnasium.

Saul Garcia scored 15 and Keith Craig 13 for Sparks (5-4), which will play Spring Creek in a consolation bracket game today at 2:30. Sean O'Brien added eight more for Wooster (5-4).

MANOGUE 61, ELKO 58

Kenny Viser scored 22 points and Brendan Lujan had 13 as the Miners held on to beat the Indians. Elko's Ryan Klekas made a 3-pointer with 1:15 left that cut Manogue's lead to 56-53. Then with three seconds left, Klekas heaved a desperation trey at the buzzer that fall short.

Klekas scored a team-high 22 points for the Indians (3-7), who will play McQueen today at 4:05 p.m. Manogue improves to 4-3 and will play Highlands in the semifinals at 5:40 p.m.