Reed and Highland hungry for Golden League title

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Kyisean Reed has carried the Highland boys’ basketball program during Golden League play this season, managing to keep the Bulldogs close in a heated race between three teams for first place. Close, however, isn’t good enough. A title is within grasp and anything short of wining it will be a disappointment.

The 6-foot-7 senior is averaging 18.9 points, 12.1 rebounds and 4.7 blocks a game heading into tonight’s/Thursday’s matchup with Antelope Valley. Beyond that, the biggest game of the year looms -- a showdown Friday against first-place Lancaster, which is two games ahead in the standings with four left in the regular season.

‘Kyisean has been huge for us. He’s stepped up every time we’ve needed him to,’’ Coach Jeff Smith said. ‘He can do it all. We haven’t had someone like him around here in a while. Don’t know where we’d be without him. He’s a game-changer. Teams focus on him so much that it opens things up for everyone else.’’

Opponents aren’t the only ones aware of his exploits. UC Riverside and Cal State San Bernardino have been recruiting Reed for a while. Cal State Bakersfield is the current front-runner, though college is the last thing on his mind right now. Reed is focused on winning a league title. Highland’s hopes hinge on him.

-- Sean Ceglinsky