McKenzie Swept on Senior Night

McKENZIE (February 17) — McKenzie High School closed the regular season Tuesday with a pair of district basketball contests against McEwen. A back-and-forth battle saw the Lady Rebels lead going into the fourth, but the Warriorettes rallied for a 52-50 win. The Warriors pulled away gradually to top the Rebels, 73-58.

It was Senior Night at MHS, and seven senior players, managers and cheerleaders were honored on the court in a pregame ceremony. (See separate story.)

McEwen Warriorettes 52, McKenzie Lady Rebels 50

The Warriorettes had a 9-7 edge after the opening frame, led by Ava Lastovka with five points, including a three-pointer. Laila Downs-Darden scored four. Molly French hit a three for McKenzie, and Ava Hastings and Jaycee Stafford each had a pair.

McEwen added to their lead with an 18-15 advantage in the second quarter, led by Downs-Darden with 16 points, including a pair of threes. Lastovka added a pair. Stafford scored seven Lady Rebel points with a three. French had six on a pair of three-pointers, and Braylin Auvenshine had a pair. At the half, the Warriorettes led 27-22.

McKenzie took the lead with an 18-7 tilt in the third, led by Stafford with 15 points, including a pair of threes. Addyson Littleton also hit a three-pointer. Downs-Darden scored five for McEwen, and Lastovka added a pair. Entering the final frame, the Lady Rebels led 40-34.

The Warriorettes rallied 18-10 in the fourth to claim the win, led by Downs-Darden with 12 points. Aubrey Branch scored five points with a three, and Lastovka hit a free throw. Stafford led McKenzie with seven points, and French hit a three.

McEwen’s Laila Downs-Darden led all scorers with 37 points, including a pair of threes. Ava Lastovka scored ten with a three.

Jaycee Stafford led the Lady Rebels with 31 points, including a trio of three-pointers. Molly French scored 12 points on four threes.

Warriors 73, Rebels 58

McEwen had a 14-13 edge after the first frame, led by Kainan Gill with six points. Ty Greene scored five with a three-pointer, and Truman Gill also hit a three. Avery Brown led McKenzie with seven points. Nolan Fawcett, Cole Brown and Eli Vinson each had a pair.

The Warriors had a 17-11 advantage in the second quarter, led by Koby Hudson with seven points. Case Greene scored four. Brennan Newsome hit a three-pointer, T. Greene added a pair, and K. Gill hit a free throw. Rebel Kason Brown scored four points. Nolan Fawcett hit a three, and C. Brown and Cooper Davidson each had a pair. At the half, the Warriors led 31-24.

McEwen enjoyed a 26-18 tilt in the third, led by T. Greene with eight points, including a pair of threes. T. Gill scored six, and Elijah Villarruel had five points with a three. K. Gill scored four, and C. Greene had three points. Fawcett scored eight for McKenzie with a pair of three-pointers. A. Brown and K. Brown each scored four, and Vinson added a pair. Heading into the final frame, the Warriors led 57-42.

The fourth was a 16-16 wash. C. Brown led the Rebels with eight points, including a three. Vinson scored four, and K. Brown and Davidson each added a pair. K. Gill led McEwen with seven points. T. Greene scored five, and T. Gill had four points.

Warrior Ty Greene led all scorers with 20 points, including a trio of three-pointers. Kainan Gill scored 18.

Nolan Fawcett led McKenzie with 13 points, including a trio of threes. Cole Brown scored 12 with a three, and Avery Brown had eleven points.