McKenzie Sweeps Central

McKENZIE (January 14) — McKenzie High School basketball began district play Tuesday, hosting Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central. The Lady Rebels had a big lead at the half, but Central made it interesting down the stretch before McKenzie claimed a 59-49 win. The Rebels pulled away early and coasted to a 98-55 victory.

McKenzie Lady Rebels 59, Central Lady Tigers 49
The Lady Rebels jumped out to a 19-8 lead after the opening frame, led by Jaycee Stafford with seven points. Ava Hastings scored six on a pair of three-pointers. Aurora Johnson had four points, and Gracie Aird had a pair. Lady Tigers McKinley Garrison and Olivia Scott each hit a three-pointer, and Ava Finley had a pair.

McKenzie enjoyed a 13-6 tilt in the second quarter, led by Hastings with nine points on a trio of threes. Stafford and Sophie Pate each had a pair. Ady Olds scored four for Central, and Keely Williams had a pair. At the half, the Lady Rebels led 32-14.

The Lady Tigers cut the deficit with a 19-14 advantage in the third, led by Williams with six points on a pair of threes. Olds and Lilly McGee each hit a three-pointer. Garrison, Finley and Scarlette King each had a pair, and Makala Bass hit a free throw. Stafford led McKenzie with six points. Hastings and Molly French each hit a three, and Pate and Braylin Auvenshine each hit a free throw. Entering the final frame, the Lady Rebels led 46-33.

Central’s continuing rally came up short at 16-13 in the fourth, led by Finley with five points, including a three. Garrison, Scott and Olds each hit a three-pointer, and Williams added a pair. Stafford scored five McKenzie points, including a three. Hastings hit another three, and French also scored three points. Auvenshine added a pair.

Lady Rebel Ava Hastings led all scorers with 21 points on seven three-pointers. Jaycee Stafford scored 20 with a three.

Keely Williams and Ady Olds led Central with ten points each, each with a pair of three-pointers.

Rebels 98, Tigers 55
McKenzie led 26-15 after the first frame, led by Eli Vinson with eight points, including a pair of three-pointers. Carter Kee scored seven with a three, and Landon Brown had six points. Tate Surber and Craegen Travis each had a pair, and KD Cunningham hit a free throw. Tigers Bryce Frye, Nic King and Parker Finley each scored five points, Frye and Finley each with a three-pointer.

The Rebels had a 23-14 advantage in the second quarter, led by L. Brown with eleven points, including a three. Kee and Surber each scored four, Kee with a three. Travis and Cole Brown each had a pair. Tiger Caden Dean scored five with a three, and King had four points. Finley and Brayden Maness each had a pair, and Brody Huff hit a free throw. At the half, the Rebels led 49-29.

McKenzie exploded for a 38-14 tilt in the third, led by Surber with 14 points, including a three-pointer. Kee scored ten, and C. Brown had six points. Vinson and Nolan Fawcett each hit a three, and Travis added a pair. Finley scored seven Central points with a pair of threes. King, Kaydince Banks and Sal Sala each had a pair, and Dean hit a freebie. Heading into the final frame, the Rebels led 87-43.

The Tigers had a 12-11 edge in a quick fourth, led by Banks with six points. Dean scored four, and Ethan Joseph had a pair. Fawcett hit another three for McKenzie, and C. Brown, Kason Brown, Cayden Ownby and Cooper Davidson each had a pair.

Rebel Carter Kee led all scorers with 21 points, including a pair of threes. Tate Surber scored 20 with a three, and Landon Brown had 17 points with a three. Eli Vinson scored eleven with a trio of threes, and Cole Brown had ten points.

Parker Finley led Central with 14 points, including a trio of threes. Nic King scored eleven, and Caden Dean had ten with a three.