Highlands' Ross Neltner battles for a rebound with Conner's Jason Hudgens and Justin Ballou. (Mike Simons photos) | ZOOM |

        The play happened exactly how it was supposed to. Gino Guidugli took the ball at the top of the key, waited, and with seven seconds remaining, drove to the basket, scoring on an off-balanced 4-footer with 3.5 seconds.

        “That play was designed to isolate me for a shot.” Guidugli said. “After I got the ball, I had to wait until there were seven seconds on the clock.”

        Derrik Moeves followed with two free throws with .3 seconds remaining after Conner threw the ball out of bounds on the inbounds pass to give the Bluebirds a 57-53 double overtime win in the Ninth Region final at Holmes. The teams had gone scoreless in the first overtime.

        Highlands (22-8) advances to play Russellville in the Sweet Sixteen at Rupp Arena.

        Highlands twice built three-point leads in the second overtime, only to see Conner battle back.

        “No one thought we'd be here,” Guidugli said. “We were seeded last in the region and we stepped it up after losing in the district finals.”

Derrick Moeves shoots over Ballou. | ZOOM |

        On the first possession of the second overtime period, Moeves hit a 3-pointer to give the Bluebirds the lead. Jeremy Stephenson cut it to one point with two foul shots.

        Five seconds later, at the other end of the court, Guidugli answered with two foul shots to put the Bluebirds back up by three.

        Stephenson silenced the Highlands fans with a 3-pointer in front of two defenders to tie the game at 53-53 with 31 seconds to play.

        “We always felt we were where we needed to be as a team,” Highlands coach John Messmer said. “The kids believed in themselves and we were fortunate to come out of here with a victory.”

        Trailing by six to start the fourth quarter, Conner used tight defense by senior point guard Jason Hudgens on Highlands guard Mylor Rider to get back in the game.

        Three minutes into the quarter, Hudgens stole the ball from Rider and drove to the basket, drew a foul and sank both ensuing free throws to cut the lead to 43-41.

        Stephenson then followed with a 3-pointer to give Conner its first lead since four minutes into the game at 8-6.

        Rider answered immediately with a 3-pointer to push Highlands back on top. Terry and Marcus Johnson scored the next three baskets for Conner to tie the game at 48.

Scott Liggett and Jeff Guidugli celebrate the double overtime victory. | ZOOM |

        After a Conner turnover, Highlands had a chance to win the game on the inbounds. Guidugli put a well-placed halfcourt inbounds pass 2 feet from the rim, but Ross Neltner couldn't convert.

        “It came down to one big play,” Conner coach Scott Thomas said. “But that's how basketball works out sometimes.”

        Early in the game, Highlands appeared to have the game under control, opening up a 23-12 lead early in the second quarter with Ross Neltner scoring 11 points during a 17-4 run.

        Conner came back behind the 3-point shooting of Marcus Johnson and Stephenson to cut the lead to 33-29 at halftime.

        Neltner finished with 19 points, 13 rebounds and eight blocked shots. Guidugli added 19 points, eight rebounds and six assists.

        Conner was led by Marcus Johnson with 20 points and Terry Johnson with 15.

        HIGHLANDS (57) — Rider 2 0 5, Forbes 3 1 7, Moeves 2 2 7, Guidugli 8 2 19, Neltner 9 1 19. Totals: 24 6 57.

        CONNER (53) — Hudgens 0 2 2, M. Johnson 7 4 20, Stephenson 4 2 14, T. Johnson 6 3 15, Ballou 1 0 2. Totals: 18 11 53.

        Highlands ....... 21  12   8   7  0  9—57

        Conner ....... 12  17   6  13  0  5—53

        3-pointers: H—Rider, Moeves, Guidugli. C—M. Johnson 2, Stephenson 4. Records: C 23-6, H 22-8.

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