Highland Tech could drop conference game, swimming regionals moved

Highland Tech’s home basketball game against Challenger scheduled for Friday was postponed due to inclement weather in Catawba County, and the game might never be played.

Challenger, located in Hickory, was prohibited by Catawba County Schools to play Friday and Saturday. Both teams, though, already have three conference games scheduled for next week. Highland Tech plays Tuesday at home against East Lincoln, Friday at Cherryville and Saturday at home against Bessemer City. Challenger plays Tuesday at home against North Lincoln, Wednesday at home against Cherryville and Friday at Bessemer City.

The N.C. High School Athletic Association allows four games per week as long as one of them is played on a non-school day. Since both teams already have three games next week and Saturday is not open for Highland Tech, they cannot legally reschedule the game for next week.

Highland Tech coach and athletic director Butch Blalock said one alternative would be to delay the conference tournament a day and make up the game on Monday, Feb. 15.

If that doesn’t happen, both teams might lose the game altogether.

“I’d rather play, but if we can’t play, we can’t play,” Blalock said.

Highland Tech would be highly favored in the boys and girls games as Challenger’s teams are both 0-10 in the Southern Piedmont 1A/2A Conference and haven’t played a competitive game yet.

Highland Tech’s boys (8-8, 7-3) are third place in the SPC and the girls (8-8, 6-4) are also third.

Swimming regionals moved

The 3A West and 4A West swimming regionals were moved to Sunday. The 3A West regional will start at noon at Huntersville Family Fitness and Aquatics, followed by the 4A West at 5. The 4A West diving regional will start at noon at the same site.

The 1A/2A swimming regionals were cancelled. All regional automatic qualifiers will advance to the state meet.

Big South wrestling

Forestview will host the Big South 3A Conference individual wrestling tournament Saturday starting at 9:30 p.m. Crest won the dual-team title with a perfect league record.

You can reach Phillip Gardner at 704-869-1843.