The 2021-22 Eureka Springs Highlanders had perhaps the best boys basketball season in the history of the school. The Highlanders went undefeated in regular-season conference play and then swept the district and regional tournaments before reaching the second round of the Class 2A state tournament.
Along the way, the Highlanders beat the eventual 2A state champions and senior guard Matthew Lester set the school’s all-time scoring record.
But it’s a new season now, and the Highlanders aren’t exactly starting from scratch. Seniors Dylan Johnson and Shane Holloway return to lead this year’s team, which heads into the Thanksgiving break on a high note after winning the Decatur Classic tournament championship on Saturday, Nov. 19.
Eureka Springs (9-3) has won nine of its past 10 games.
Johnson was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after scoring 22 points in the Highlanders’ 64-58 victory over Haas Hall Bentonville in the tournament final. Holloway added 20 points for Eureka Springs.
The Highlanders beat Class 4A Gravette 45-31 in a semifinal game on Friday, Nov. 18.
Johnson, now in his second season at Eureka Springs after transferring in from Oklahoma, set a school record for three-pointers in a season as a junior. On Nov. 4, he added the school’s single-game mark for three-pointers to his resume, hitting 11 during a 39-point performance as the Highlanders routed Founders Classical 59-36 on Homecoming night at Highlander Arena.
Both the season and single-game school records for three-pointers had been held by Johnson’s late cousin, Dalton Johnson.
“He’s really shot the ball well this year,” Eureka Springs coach Brian Rambo said of Dylan Johnson. “He’s our best player, our leader for sure.”
At 6-11, Holloway gives the Highlanders the kind of physical presence on the inside that is uncommon for a 2A team.
“He’s been doing a good job controlling the boards and blocking shots,” Rambo said. “He’s doing a great job for us protecting the rim and we’re scoring just enough. We’re not the juggernaut that we were last year on offense, obviously, but we’re scoring just enough to win some close games and give ourselves a chance.”
Rambo said the Highlanders fully expect to be a target for their conference opponents after last season’s success.
“No doubt about it,” he said. “I’ve talked to the other coaches and for whatever reason, I think we’re the favorites in their minds. Even though we lost a lot, I think that says a lot about the respect we have inside the conference. So people are going to come out and measure themselves against us. They’re going to bring their A-game.”
