It was a big game Saturday for the First Presbyterian Christian Academy Highlander boys’ basketball team as it traveled to St. Simons Island. The Highlanders beat rival Frederica Academy earlier this season, but it was at their home court at the St. James Sports Center. This time, they would have to beat the Knights in a hostile environment.
However, the Highlanders dug deep and pulled out a 63-57 win to cling to the No. 2 seed in the Georgia Independent School Association’s Region 2-AA.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Highlanders held an 11-5 overall mark and a 6-2 region record. The Knights are 12-8 overall and 5-4 in the region.
Highlander coach Ernie Walthour said sweeping the season series with the Knights was a big accomplishment.
“We were fired up about going there, and it felt real good to sweep them this season after they beat us last year at the state championship,” he said. “But of course the new season is getting ready to begin.”
Walthour said Domonique Kirkley was moved to the point guard slot and Chris Guilfo was shifted to the two-guard position, and the strategy has worked well.
“Chris can shoot the ball well, and Domonique is like an architect. It was a good change for us,” he said.
Highlander Herbert Roberts paced the boys with 17 points, while Guilfo scored 15. D’Angelo Streeter and Ahman Muhammad both added nine points. Walthour cited
 Muhammad for helping the team in rebounding.
“Muhammad has really been playing 100 percent different this year compared to last year,” Walthour said. “He is dominating the boards for us and scoring well and doing the things we need down the stretch.”
Tevin Womack chipped in eight points, and Richard Smith added five off the bench.
The Highlanders, who were slated to host Memorial Day on Tuesday night, will wrap up their regular season Friday against Trinity Christian in Dublin.
FPCA is likely to see Frederica, Brentwood and Memorial Day as it battles for the region title beginning next week.