Lady Rebels Fall to Houston County, Lady Tigers to McEwen

McEWEN (February 21) — McEwen High School hosted the District 12-1A Girls Basketball Tournament semifinals Saturday. First, the McKenzie Lady Rebels faced Houston County and were defeated 63-49 despite a tight first half. The Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central Lady Tigers closed a big gap in the third quarter, but fell 60-49 to the host Warriorettes.

Houston County Lady Irish 63, McKenzie Lady Rebels 49

The Lady Irish had a 15-11 lead after the opening frame, led by Peyton Brooks with six points on a pair of three-pointers. Kylee Smith also hit a three, and Kyaira Rains, Briley Bucciarelli and Preslee Moore each had a pair. Lady Rebel Braylin Auvenshine scored nine points with a three, and Addyson Littleton had a pair.

McKenzie had a 9-6 edge in the second quarter, led by Jaycee Stafford with eight points, including a pair of threes. Molly French hit a free throw. Alley Mitchell hit a three for Houston County. Paisley Byler had a pair, and Smith hit a freebie. At the half, the Lady Irish led 21-20.

Houston County had a 17-12 advantage in the third, led by Smith with six points, including a three. Maddie Brooks scored four, and P. Brooks hit a three. Mitchell and Rains each added a pair. Stafford led the Lady Rebels with seven points. Auvenshine hit a three, and Littleton added a pair. Entering the final frame, Houston County led 38-32.

The Lady Irish sealed the win with a 25-17 tilt in the fourth, led by M. Brooks with 15 points, including a pair of three-pointers. Rains scored five, Bucciarelli had four points, and Moore hit a free throw. Stafford led McKenzie with nine points. Ava Hastings hit a three, and Littleton also scored three points. Auvenshine added a pair.

Lady Rebel Jaycee Stafford led all scorers with 24 points, including a pair of three-pointers. Braylin Auvenshine scored 14 with a pair of threes.

Maddie Brooks led Houston County with 19 points with a pair of threes.

McEwen Warriorettes 60, Central Lady Tigers 49

The Warriorettes doubled up Central 12-6 in the first frame, led by Laila Downs-Darden with ten points, including a three. Maggie Baker had a pair. Lady Tiger Belle Blankenship hit a three-pointer, and Emy Olds also scored three points.

McEwen pulled away with a 26-8 advantage in the second quarter, led by Downs-Darden with 19 points with a three. Millie Littleton scored five, and Ava Lastovka had a pair. Ava Finley scored four for Central, and Cloe Morgan and Abby Baker each had a pair. At the half, the Warriorettes led 38-14.

The Lady Tigers rallied 18-2 in the third to close the gap, led by Olds and Morgan with four points each. McKenzye Castleman hit a three-pointer, and Makala Bass also scored three points. Amelia Bennett and Lilly McGee each had a pair. Downs-Darden added a pair for McEwen. Heading into the final frame, the Warriorettes led 40-32.

McEwen clinched the win with a 20-17 edge in the fourth, led by Lastovka with seven points. Downs-Darden scored six, M. Baker had four points, and Littleton scored three. Olds scored eight for Central with a pair of threes. A. Baker also hit a three, and Morgan, Finley and Castleman each added a pair.

Warriorette Laila Downs-Darden led all scorers with 37 points, including a pair of three-pointers.

Emy Olds led the Lady Tigers with 15 points with a pair of threes.