Huntingdon Sweeps McKenzie

CHRISTMAS CHEER–The McKenzie cheerleaders donned Christmas sweaters as they cheered on the teams. 

Mustang Kenton Smith floats one in from midrange. Smith led all scorers with 16 points.

Lady Rebel Jaycee Stafford battles through triple coverage to draw contact and finish the shot for a three-point opportunity. Stafford led McKenzie with 17 points.

Huntingdon's Emalynn Maness fires an open three. Manness scored nine for the Fillies on a trio of three-pointers.

Rebel Ethan Bradberry pulls up in the paint for two points. Photo by Brad Sam/The Banner

McKENZIE (December 16) — McKenzie High School hosted Huntingdon Tuesday for a pair of basketball contests. Both visiting teams had explosive second quarters to claim the road sweep. The Filles won 70-46, while the Mustangs took an 85-39 victory.

The atmosphere was festive as it was McKenzie's final home set before the holiday break. Players and cheerleaders donned Christmas sweaters for warm-ups and the first cheer routine.

Huntingdon Fillies 70, McKenzie Lady Rebels 46

The Fillies had a 19-10 lead after the opening frame, led by Millie Luther and Wylie Kee with six points each, Luther on a pair of three-pointers. Grier Bartholomew scored five with a three, and Knox Bennett had a pair. Molly French led the Lady Rebels with five points, including a three-pointer. Jaycee Stafford scored three points, and Braylin Auvenshine had a pair.

Huntingdon pulled away in the second quarter with a 26-8 advantage, led by Bennett and Kee with eight points each. Krystin Moore and Emalynn Maness each hit a three, and Bartholomew and Tatum Rich each had a pair. Stafford scored four for McKenzie, and Alleigh Britt and Aurora Johnson each had a pair. At the half, Huntingdon led 45-18.

The Fillies had a 13-11 edge in the third, led by Maness with six points on a pair of threes. Kee scored three points, and Luther and Ellie Wilson each had a pair. French, Stafford and Ava Hastings each hit a three for McKenzie, and Johnson added a pair. Entering the final frame, Huntingdon led 58-29.

The Lady Rebels rallied 17-12 in the fourth for a closer final, led by Stafford with seven points. Hastings scored six on a pair of three-pointers. Addyson Littleton also hit a three, and Gracie Aird hit a free throw. Six Fillies each scored two points: Luther, Moore, Bartholomew, Wilson, Kaylen Cary and Ali Harris.

Wylie Kee led Huntingdon with 17 points. Millie Luther and Knox Bennett each scored ten, Luther with a pair of threes. Emalynn Manness scored nine on a trio of three-pointers, and Grier Bartholomew also scored nine with a three.

Jaycee Stafford led McKenzie with 17 points, including a three-pointer. Ava Hastings scored nine on a trio of threes.

Mustangs 85, Rebels 39

Huntingdon had a 19-16 edge after the first frame, led by Kenton Smith with 12 points, including a pair of three-pointers. Kelton Johnson hit a three, and Garvin Kee and Zayden Connelly each had a pair. Cole Brown led McKenzie with nine points on a trio of threes. Avery Brown also hit a three-pointer, and Eli Vinson and Kason Brown each had a pair.

The Mustangs pulled away with a 28-2 advantage in the second quarter, led by Jayden Williams with eight points, including a pair of threes. Ky'len Turner scored six points, and Johnson and  K'Shun Carter had four. Kee and Connelly each hit a three-pointer. A. Brown had a pair for the Rebels. At the half, the Mustangs led 47-18.

Huntingdon grew the lead with a 27-11 tilt in the third, led by Johnson with seven points, including a three. Kee scored five with a three. K. Smith and Carter each had four points, Carter with a three-pointer. Lucas Smith scored three points, and Connelly and Williams each added a pair. C. Brown led the Rebels with four points. Nolan Fawcett hit a three-pointer, and A. Brown and Ethan Bradberry each had a pair. Heading into the final frame, Huntingdon led 74-29.

The Mustangs sealed the win with a quick, 11-10 fourth, led by Keimonte Strayhorn with five points, including a three-pointer. Grayson Anderson scored four, and Kingston Smith had a pair. Vinson led McKenzie with six points on a pair of threes. Parker Ross and Sammy Willen each had a pair.

Mustang Kenton Smith led all scorers with 16 points, including a pair of threes. Kelton Johnson scored 14, also with a pair of threes.

Cole Brown led the Rebels with 13 points, including a trio of three-pointers.