Highland Home’s Brice McKenzie broke more than a six-minute field-goal drought by both teams to open the game and the Flying Squadron held off a late rally in soaring to a 56-51 upset victory over No. 2 LaFayette in Monday’s Class 2A state semifinal at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena in Birmingham.

“We had a slow start, but after I hit sunk that first shot, it felt like rhythm shots,” McKenzie said. “I got hot and we started scoring from everywhere. It was momentum for our whole team.”

Highland Home (22-7) did not allow a single point in the opening period, holding the Bulldogs to 0-of-12 from the field, and snapped its own 0-of-10 start on a pair of consecutive 3-pointers from McKenzie, following a pair of free throws by Jakaleb Faulk for the first points of the game.

Greg Tate opened the second period with a layup on the first possession and McKenzie knocked down his third triple of the game to power the Flying Squadron to a 13-0 advantage inside the first minute of the quarter.

LaFayette’s DeAundra Vines put an end to the Bulldogs’ 0-for-15 start from the field, scoring on a midrange jumper at the 6:19 mark of the period, and VaDerrian Story and Key’Lun Powell combined on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 8 points with 1:18 left in the half.

Faulk and Tyler Chaney scored the final 4 points of the second quarter and Highland Home carried a 21-11 lead into the break.

“It’s a good feeling to hold them to zero (in the first period),” Faulk said. “That shows how much we work on defense and our dedication.”

The Bulldogs opened the second half with a 3-pointer from Cameron Thomas, but Chaney answered with back-to-back triples and Highland High stretched its advantage to 34-18 on a 7-0 run punctuated by yet another 3-pointer from McKenzie, who followed it up with another on the next possession.

LaFayette (24-8) trailed by as many as 15 points early in the final period, but carved into the deficit with an 8-0 run that was bookended with layups from Branaviyun Story and Vines. VaDerrian Story and Vines managed to cut the lead down to 5 points in the final seconds, but McKenzie and Faulk sealed the win at the foul line.

Star of the game: Faulk. The 6-foot-3 junior forward produced a double-double in finishing with a game-high 24 points and 10 rebounds. He also added 2 assists and 2 blocks while shooting 7-of-11 from the field and 10-of-13 at the foul line.

Stat sheet: Highland Home – McKenzie snapped a combined 0-for-19 start from the field by both teams and finished with 16 points, with 5 rebounds, on 5-of-10 shooting from 3-point range. Chaney and Greg Tate had 8 points each, combining for 10 boards and 8 assists, and TJ Washington and CJ Mays added a combined 11 rebounds. LaFayette – Powell led the Bulldogs with a team-high 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting from range and VaDerrian Story had 13 points and 2 blocks. Vines had 11 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals, and Branaviyun Story had 9 points and 7 rebounds. Thomas contributed 3 points and 3 rebounds.

By the numbers: The Flying Squadron finished shooting 45 percent from the field and 37 percent on 3-pointers, while holding LaFayette to 35 percent overall after the Bulldogs started 0-of-15 from the field. Highland Home enjoyed a plus-17 advantage on the glass while the Bulldogs scored 23 points off 18 turnovers.

Did you know? Highland Home advances to the championship game for the first time in its second final four appearance (2022 and 2024).

Coachspeak: “The first quarter got us in a hole. At the end of the day, no matter what, once you get to this stage, you got to adjust to it. After the first quarter, we adjusted and realized it is the dame basketball, same rim height, and we got better.” – LaFayette’s Chase Lewis

“I’m happy for our kids to come out on top and play for their first-ever state championship in school history.” – Highland Home’s Justin Cope

They said it: “Last night, we had a little practice and then went to our rooms at 9 o’clock. We all got in bed and told ourselves if we didn’t get rest, we were not going to play good. We got in bed, watched movies and bonded together.” – Brice McKenzie

“I watched Spongebob (Squarepants).” – Jakaleb Faulk

“I watched Big Momma.” – Tyler Chaney

Next Up: Highland Home advances to face No. 1 Mars Hill Bible in the Class 2A title game at 10:45 a.m., Friday at the BJCC’s Legacy Arena.