Lady Rebels are Runner-Up After Thrilling Title Game

McKENZIE (February 24) — McKenzie High School hosted the championship round of the District 12A Girls Basketball Tournament Monday.

A thrilling title game saw the host Lady Rebels fall behind early, then outscore McEwen in each of the final three quarters. Tight defense from McKenzie, coupled with a fearless offensive performance in the paint from freshman phenom Jaycee Stafford that yielded 39 points, kept the game in reach.

Despite playing much of the second half without their Miss Basketball finalist Laila Downs-Darden, the Warriorettes held on for a 64-60 win.

In the consolation game, the Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central Lady Tigers led early, but the Houston County Lady Irish bounced back and claimed a 58-47 victory and a third-place district finish.

Following the games, the All-District and All-Tournament teams were announced.

The District 12A All-District team includes McKenzie's Jaycee Stafford, Molly French and Ava Hastings; Central's McKinley Garrison and Keely Williams; Houston County's CJ Clark and Kylee Smith; and McEwen's Shana Bohanon, Ellie Littleton, Tiana Bohanon and MVP Laila Downs-Darden. Coach of the Year is McEwen's Amelia Darden.

The District 12A All-Tournament team includes McKenzie's Braylin Auvenshine, Jaycee Stafford and Sophie Pate; Central's Ady Olds; Houston County's CJ Clark; and McEwen's Laila Downs-Darden, Shana Bohanon and Tiana Bohanon.

Championship: McEwen Warriorettes 64, McKenzie Lady Rebels 60

The Warriorettes stormed out to a 19-6 lead after the opening frame, led by Shana Bohanon with ten points. Laila Downs-Darden scored five, and Tiana Bohanon had four points. Jaycee Stafford scored all six Lady Rebel points.

McKenzie had an 18-15 advantage in the second quarter, led by Stafford with 15 points. Ava Hastings hit a three-pointer. Downs-Darden scored nine for McEwen, S. Bohanon had four points, and Paris Shoemake had a pair. At the half, the Warriorettes led 34-24.

The Lady Rebels had a 16-13 edge in the third, led by Stafford with nine points. Hastings had four with a three-pointer, and Molly French scored three points. Downs-Darden led McEwen with six points. S. Bohanon scored four, and Ellie Littleton hit a three. Entering the final frame, the Warriorettes led 47-40.

McKenzie's rally continued in the fourth but came up just short at 20-17, led by Stafford with nine points. Sophie Pate scored five with a three. French hit a three-pointer, and Braylin Auvenshine also scored three points. Littleton and Shoemake each scored five for McEwen, each with a three-pointer. S. Bohanon had four, Avery Branch had a pair, and T. Bohanon hit a free throw.

Lady Rebel Jaycee Stafford led all scorers with 39 points. Ava Hastings scored seven with a pair of threes.

Shana Bohanon led the Warriorettes with 22 points. Laila Downs-Darden scored 20.

Consolation: Houston County Lady Irish 58, Central Lady Tigers 47

The Lady Tigers jumped out to a 16-9 lead after the first frame, led by Ady Olds with eleven points, including a trio of three-pointers. Keely Williams also hit a three, and McKenzye Castleman had a pair. Lady Irish Peyton Brooks and Kylee Smith each hit a three, Paisley Byler had a pair, and CJ Clark hit a free throw.

Houston County took the lead with a 17-7 advantage in the second quarter, led by Clark with five, including a three. P. Brooks hit another three-pointer, and Smith, Byler and Maddie Brooks also scored three points each. Lady Tiger Lilly McGee scored four points with a three, and Olds hit a three-pointer. At the half, Houston County led 26-23.

The Lady Irish enjoyed an 18-10 tilt in the third, led by Presley Moore with ten points, including a three. P. Brooks and Smith each scored three points, and M. Brooks added a pair. Lady Tigers Chloe Morgan and Ava Finley each scored four, Morgan with a three-pointer. Castleman added a pair. Heading into the final frame, the Lady Irish led 44-33.

The fourth was a 14-14 wash. Lady Irish Payton Mitchell and Clark each scored five, each with a three. Moore and Smith each added a pair. Lady Tiger Emy Olds scored four with a three. A. Olds, Finley and Scarlette King each hit a three, and McKinley Garrison hit a free throw.

Lady Tiger Ady Olds led all scorers with 17 points, including five three-pointers.

Presley Moore led Houston County with 12 points, including a three. CJ Clark and Kylee Smith each scored eleven, Clark with a pair of threes and Smith with one.