McKenzie Splits Wins on Homecoming

McKENZIE (February 7) — McKenzie High School celebrated Homecoming Friday, hosting Houston County for a pair of consequential district basketball contests.

The Lady Rebels shook off an early deficit and gained momentum down the stretch for a 56-46 victory that cemented McKenzie as the two-seed in the upcoming playoffs.

The Rebels went back and forth with the Fighting Irish in the first half, but Houston County pulled away late for a 78-63 win. The loss leaves McKenzie as the three-seed in the district.

McKenzie Lady Rebels 56, Houston County Lady Irish 46
The Lady Irish jumped out to a 14-5 lead after the opening frame, led by Presley Moore with seven points. Kylee Smith scored four, CJ Clark had a pair, and Ally Mitchell hit a free throw. Jaycee Stafford scored all five Lady Rebel points, including a three-pointer.

McKenzie doubled up Houston County 18-9 in the second quarter to tie the game, led by Stafford with eleven points. Molly French hit a three. Sophie Pate had a pair, and Ava Hastings and Braylin Auvenshine each hit a free throw. Clark scored six for the Lady Irish, and Mitchell hit a three. At the half, the score was knotted at 23-23.

The Lady Rebels took the lead with a 19-14 advantage in the third, led by Auvenshine with eight points, including a three-pointer. Stafford scored seven with a three. Hastings hit a three, and Aurora Johnson hit a free throw. Clark led Houston County with seven points. Mitchell scored three, and Moore and Smith each added a pair. Entering the final frame, the Lady Rebels led 42-37.

McKenzie sealed the win with a 14-9 tilt in the fourth, led by Stafford and Auvenshine with five points each, Auvenshine with a three. French and Johnson each added a pair. Smith led the Lady Irish with five points, including a three. Clark scored four.

Lady Rebel Jaycee Stafford led all scorers with 28 points, including a pair of three-pointers. Braylin Auvenshine scored 14, also with a pair of threes.

CJ Clark led Houston County with 19 points. Kylee Smith scored eleven with a three.

Fighting Irish 78, Rebels 63
McKenzie had a 17-16 edge after the first frame, led by Craegen Travis with nine points, including a three-pointer. Cole Brown and Tate Surber each hit a three, and Landon Brown had a pair. Irish Brady Bucciarelli and Mac Baggett each scored five, Bucciarelli with a three. Ryan Carter scored four, and Casen Clark had a pair.

Houston County had a 17-15 advantage in the second quarter, led by Baggett with seven points with a three. Clark scored four. Townes Epps hit a three, and Carter also had three points. Surber led McKenzie with four points. Avery Brown hit a three. C. Brown, L. Brown, Eli Vinson and Carter Kee each had a pair. At the half, Houston County led 33-32.

The Irish enjoyed a 20-11 tilt in the third, led by Baggett and Carter with eight points each, Baggett with a three. Clark scored four points. Surber had five points for the Rebels. A. Brown hit another three-pointer, and Kee also had three points. Heading into the final frame, the Irish led 53-43.

Houston County clinched the win with a 25-20 fourth, led by Carter with eleven. Baggett scored seven with a three. Clark had six points, and Bucciarelli hit a freebie. Surber led McKenzie with eight points. C. Brown scored five, and Vinson had four points. L. Brown hit a three.

Irish Mac Baggett led all scorers with 27 points, including a trio of threes. Ryan Carter scored 26, and Casen Clark had 16.

Tate Surber led McKenzie with 20 points, including a three-pointer. Cole Brown scored ten with a three.