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Noah Peterson leading Highland after bout with Valley fever

BY ZACH ALVIRA GSN Sports Editor

Noah Peterson’s high school basketball career has taken many twists and turns, most notably during his junior season last year.

He quickly became a key player as a sophomore for the Hawks, averaging just over 23 minutes per game during the 2020 season that was condensed due to COVID. He expected to play an even bigger role as a junior until he fell ill.

Multiple tests couldn’t determine what he was sick with. That is, until he was tested for Valley Fever. It came back positive, and he was given the necessary medication, but that came months after he started showing symptoms and the virus had already taken its toll.

“It was horrible,” Peterson said. “It took about three months to get diagnosed. Without the medicine it got worse and worse. I would run out of breath and fall to the floor walking from my bedroom to the kitchen.

“Not being able to play was the worst. Watching my boys, they were succeeding, but it was hard.”

Peterson was forced to sit out his entire junior season. Not being able to play basketball hurt him the most, especially seeing the success his team had and the feeling of being able to help them reach the next level.

But his absence opened up the door for Brock Knollmiller, who was a role player at the junior varsity level as a sophomore when Peterson was in varsity. But as a junior he was called upon to help the varsity, and he excelled with the opportunity.

Knollmiller had the chance to play alongside his older brother, Mason, who was a star for the Hawks. The two had a special bond that transitioned on the court. It helped lead Highland to the 6A playoffs as the fifth ranked team in the conference. Though, the Hawks were upset in the first round by a sharpshooting Boulder Creek team.

But with Knollmiller back and Peterson at 100% despite missing summer ball with an injury, Highland has taken on a new identity and is quickly becoming a dark horse for the new Open Division.

“It’s fun to see Noah back, it’s fun to play with him because we work really well together,” Knollmiller said. “It’s also fun to see my role change and be more of a scorer now rather than a defender. I do both, though. It’s nice.”

Peterson and Knollmiller have helped take Highland to new heights this season.

The Hawks made a run to the championship game of the McClintock Holiday Shootout, where they fell to second-ranked Basha. In the games Highland won, it was dominant.

The Hawks routed Mountain Pointe with its power inside the paint. Peterson and Knollmiller Were cerebral in drawing contact inside for and-1 opportunities. When necessary, they kicked the ball out to one of Highland’s several shooters, including sophomore Michael Johnson, whose range extends to anywhere on the floor.

While Highland is led primarily by Peterson, he isn’t the standout four or five-star rated prospect other programs in close proximity have. The Hawks are successful because they play as a team and are disciplined.

“We’ve been pleased with where we’re at,” Highland coach Todd Fazio said. “It’s a unique team where we have guys that can drive it and guys that can shoot it. We’ve had a couple of hiccups, but we’ve defended well all year.”

Fazio said having Peterson back has been key not only on the court, but off it. He’s a natural leader and a player that others gravitate toward. The team is close, so not having him last year was hard for all of those involved.

Fazio didn’t know what to expect this season from Peterson after battling Valley Fever. He lost nearly 30 pounds during his bout with the illness and had to re-condition himself to run up and down the floor.

But he took the off-season seriously and it’s paid off so far.

“He’s a resilient kid and he’s gone through the mud,” Fazio said. “He’s obviously come out the other end really well and that’s because of his character.”

With only two losses on the season, Highland is currently ranked No. 12 in the AIA’s Open Division rankings released every Tuesday. Thirty-two teams from the 4A-6A conferences will make the Open in basketball this season, with the top eight receiving an automatic bye.

The Hawks are currently in position to host in the first round, but Fazio and his players know there is still a lot of basketball to be played.

However, Highland is confident. Even after the loss to Basha the Hawks were motivating each other to keep their heads up. They know it’s a long season and as long as they continue to improve, they can become dangerous at the right time.

“We just have to keep pushing,” Peterson said. “I’m trying to go all the way. On our wall basketball doesn’t have very many achievements. We’re trying to get our name up there.”

Brock Knollmiller was the benefi ciary of Peterson’s absence last season. But now the two have become a dynamic duo that have helped lead Highland to a strong start and No. 12

ranking in the state. (Dave Minton/GSN Staff)