Down 62-53 against the #1 seed and #14 ranked Triton (23-7) with 1:23 remaining in the 2nd half, the Highland Cougars Men's Basketball team( 24-9) used a 10-1 run, and shot by Johnny Melvin as time was expiring to send the game to overtime at 63-63.

In overtime, the Cougars outscored the Trojans 10-7 to shock the Trojans and win the Region 4 Championship score 73-70. This is the first Region 4 Championship for the Men's Basketball team since 2020.

"First off, I want to give credit to Coach Clancy, Coach Burns, and the entire Triton program. Clancy runs a class act program, and I have nothing but great respect for him and their program. They had a fantastic year", said Head Coach Luke Norman

"I am just so proud and extremely happy for our group.  To see where we have come from November to now is amazing. They showed incredible fight, resiliency, and togetherness for us to complete that comeback and win a Region 4 Championship. These guys didn't even know each other in July, and they have become a brotherhood. For Johnny Melvin to hit that shot to send it to OT makes me so happy for him. He was one of our two players who returned from last years group, and it is fitting he makes that shot", said Head Coach Luke Norman.

The Cougars were led by Johnny Melvin, who had 16 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds. Markwan Adams added 16 points. Demetrus Johnson II chipped in 12 points. Ramean Hinton added 9 points to go along with 17 rebounds, And Demarius Splunge had 8 points and 12 rebounds.

Ramean Hinton was named Region 4 Tournament MVP, and Johnny Melvin Region 4 All Tournament Team. Head Coach Luke Norman was named Region 4 Coach of the Year.

"Now we have a chance to play for an automatic bid to go to Hutch. We know the challenge ahead of us facing Moberly, who is currently 4th in the nation and on a 19 game win streak. We need Cougar Nation to come out in full force this Saturday, March 11," Head Coach Luke Norman said.

The Highland Cougars Men's Basketball team will play in the District Championship game on Saturday, March 11 in Freeport agains the #4 Moberly Greyhounds(29-3). Tip off is scheduled for 7:00PM.