The boys basketball team lost in overtime to the Bethel Park Blackhawks, 49-43, on Friday.

The loss puts the team’s overall record at 6-5 and their section record at 2-3. 

Even though the game went into overtime, the Highlanders kept their winning mindset, junior Joshua Desroses said.

“We just wanted to win. We were trying to get points where we could, and leave it all out on defense,” Desroses said. 

Senior Max Marzina said playing into overtime became taxing.

“We played really well in the first half of the game. We pushed hard in all of the right situations, on both sides of the court. By the end, we were tired,” Marzina said. 

The defense needs to be more aggressive, Marzina said.

“We need to step up on defense. A big part of being able to win is by relying on the guys coming off of the bench to match the energy in the game,” Marzina said. 

The game, which was Senior Recognition night, still had its highlights, Desroses said. That included an uncontested layup by senior Gavin Sakely, who was wearing a brace, as he is out for the season with an ACL injury.

“It was cool to see Gavin Sakely score on his senior night,” Desroses said.

With 11 games left in the season, the boys next game is on the road tonight against Thomas Jefferson.