The Highlanders and Coach Jason O'Connell faced many unknowns going into this shortened 2021 season, including overcoming the graduation of six incredible seniors after winning the program's first CSAC championship in 2020.
 
All of those uncertainties were promptly set aside as the Highlanders dominated the University of Valley Forge Patriots in back to back opening weekend games, 122-70 and 96-77.
 
In game one, Cairn proved that scoring depth would not be an issue this season, with the Highlander bench providing a 69-16 point differential over the Patriots. Every Highlander contributed to the 52 point rout, with seven finishing with double-digit points. One of the few returning stars from last season, Kameron Clark led the way with 21 points on 11-12 shooting, followed by emerging star Tehron Phillips with 18 points, going 2-3 from beyond the arc.
 

The Saturday matchup proved to be a much more physical, back-and-forth affair. Cairn jumped out to an early 15-6 lead, fueled by the victory the night before, but the Patriots continued to match the Highlander runs with their go-to sophomore duo of Derian Bradford and Owen Bradford. The Highlanders found themselves only up by 3 going into the locker room, but slowly pulled away thanks to the dominance of Kameron Clark in the paint and much improved three-point shooting in the second half, including sophomore Josh Forker draining four of his seven triple attempts. By the final whistle, the Highlanders had put together a complete game and walked away with their second victory in as many days, 96-77.
 
Kameron Clark had another monster game, leading the team with a 29 point, 18 rebound double-double. Tehron Phillips chipped in 16 more points, and sophomore Wes Murray had his first double-double of the young season with 13 points and 10 boards.
 
The Highlanders will travel to Pottersville, NY to face the Huskies of the Word of Life Bible Institute for back-to-back games on February 15 & 16, before returning home to take on familiar foe Lancaster Bible College on February 19th. All updates to game times and available live stats and streaming options will be posted to cairnhighlanders.com.