It was a hostile environment Monday for First Presbyterian Christian Academy, but one that the Highlander boys’ basketball team was not about to back down from.
Trailing by double digits in their region game at Memorial Day, the Highlanders fought back to beat the Matadors, 73-70, in overtime.
The Georgia Independent School Association Region 2-AA clash against last year’s defending class AA state champion helped lift FPCA to a 6-0 region record and 14-2 overall mark.
FPCA tied the game at 65-65 at the end of regulation to force overtime.
Senior guard Miguel Pineda paced FPCA with 29 points. Wallace Smith chipped in 15 points, Frederick Heaggans added 13, Ahman Muhammad scored 10 and Michael Burnett notched six points.
According to Highlander coach Shane Smith, determination and team spirit kept the Highlanders from folding when they trailed by as much as 17 points in the third quarter.
This past Saturday, the Highlanders had an easier time with Edmund Burke Academy, winning 64-84 at the St. James Sports Center in their homecoming game. Pineda led the way with 25 points. Domonique Kirkley added 23 points, Smith scored 17 and Muhammad finished with 10.
Pineda also drained 4 of 6 shots from 3-point land, and Kirkley hit 3 of 4 3-pointers. Muhammad had a double-double by taking down 10 rebounds.
The final stats for the Memorial Day game had not been posted by press time Tuesday. FPCA hosts Brentwood Friday, starting at 6 p.m. with the girls’ game. The boys’ game will follow.

FPCA — 10/10/18/27/8: 73
MD — 15/15/21/14/5: 70

FPCA — 20/23/24/17: 84
EBA — 15/13/17/19: 64