Last season, they sat defeated—falling to Rosemont College in the home court CSAC championship game. Instead of just si ing back and enjoying one of the greatest winning seasons in the history of Cairn University, the Highlanders and their six seniors put their heads down and went to work.
A season marked by such a singular focus could only happily end in one way, and the Highlanders experienced the ultimate euphoria when they won the title on the road in front of a capacity crowd at Centenary University. The years of recruiting for Coach Jason O’Connell, the thousands of reps in the gym for the Highlanders’ six seniors, and the countless weightlifting and summer sessions from sophomores Kameron Clark and Jesse Rivera all culminated in one unbelievable game and joyous celebration on the gym floor at Centenary University as the Highlanders hoisted the CSAC Championship banner for the first time.
In a perfectly fitting stat line for the Highlanders’ season, Jeremiah Harris led with 25 points; Malachi Hall contributed in numerous ways with 24 points and 9 rebounds; Kameron Clark notched another huge double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds; and Julian Collazo finished with 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and the CSAC Championship MVP trophy.
The Highlanders later traveled to Ohio for their first NCAA tournament appearance. Despite their season ending when they fell to #5 ranked Mount Union University in the first round, the Highlanders have much to celebrate in this historic season.