High Point Hoops Highs and Lows by Alex Schwartz

11/9/2026

24 Hour Tip Off - Rock Hill, SC (11/2/2026)

One of the unique experiences High Point University has offered students was the opportunity to travel to Rock Hill, South Carolina, to support our basketball team during its season tip-off game against Liberty University. This game was especially unique as it was a midnight game. This is the first time in years that High Point University has had the opportunity to be included in the 24 hour tipoff. The University chartered six buses for 300 students to attend. Me, and two of my friends went to the game wearing pajama pants and eye masks that the school provided us on the bus. Even though the game started at midnight, the crowd was still vibrant. In the first half of the game, High Point and Liberty were neck and neck with the scores. During the second half, High Point won with a victory. I think this was a good first game for HPU. It gave them a challenge in the beginning, and then they looked like they started to get the hang of the game again. The game ended at 3am with the final score being 74-57. 

First Home Game of the Season (11/4/2026) vs Maryland Eastern Shore

High Point University’s first home game of the season occurred on November 4 against Maryland Eastern Shore. As a student, I get the luxury of being able to sit in the student section. Sitting in the student section, we get to choose our own seats instead of sitting where is on our ticket, and I can find good seats with my friends. I love home games because the atmosphere in the room is always exciting and full of school spirit. I felt that the game was a little sloppy as their shots barely made it. I will say that High Point’s rebounding has improved immensely and almost always got the rebound. Their defense was also quite good. University of Oakland transfer forward Issac Garrett and Filip Brankovic, a recent addition from UT Rio Grande, especially stood out to me for their defense. Even though the game was a little sloppy in terms of shots not going in, I found it a really good first home game in terms of rebounding and defense. I noticed at the end of the game, High Point used a tactic during their offense where from one side to the other would just pass the ball to each other and the other team was just running back and fourth getting tired. I thought it was a very smart move as Maryland was running back and fourth getting tired and then eventually, one of them would pass to a player near the basket. The final score was 63-49 and I think High Point will continue to get more comfortable with their new team.