McKenzie Swept at Houston County

ERIN (February 6) — McKenzie High School traveled Friday for a pair of district basketball contests at Houston County, ending a long dormant stretch due to the winter weather. The Lady Rebels kept it close until the fourth, when the Lady Irish pulled away for a 60-45 win. The Rebels fell behind early, and the Fighting Irish completed the sweep, 75-55.

Houston County Lady Irish 60, McKenzie Lady Rebels 45

The Lady Irish had a 12-9 edge after the opening frame, led by Ally Mitchell with seven points, including a three-pointer. Preslee Moore also hit a three, and Kylie Smith had a pair. Lady Rebel Jaycee Stafford scored four points. Madeline Gottshall and Addyson Littleton each had a pair, and Braylin Auvenshine hit a free throw.

Houston County had a 16-9 advantage in the second quarter, led by Maddie Brooks with seven points, including a three. Smith scored four points, Moore hit another three-pointer, and Kyaira Rains had a pair. Auvenshine led McKenzie with four points, including a three. Stafford scored three points, and Littleton added a pair. At the half, the Lady Irish led 28-18.

The Lady Rebels rallied 16-11 to cut the deficit in the third, led by Stafford with eight points. Littleton and Ava Hastings each hit a three, and Auvenshine added a pair. Rains scored six for Houston County. Moore had four points, and Brooks hit a freebie. Entering the final frame, the Lady Irish led 39-34.

Houston County sealed the win with a 21-11 tilt in the fourth, led by Rains with eleven points. Briley Bucciarelli scored four, and Moore had three points. Mitchell added a pair, and Peyton Brooks hit a free throw. Stafford scored seven for McKenzie. Kynadie Brown hit a three, and Molly French hit a free throw.

Lady Rebel Jaycee Stafford led all scorers with 22 points.

Kyaira Rains led the Lady Irish with 19 points. Maddie Brooks scored 13 with a pair of three-pointers.

Fighting Irish 75, Rebels 55

Houston County jumped out to a 17-5 lead after the first frame, led by Townes Epps with ten points, including a pair of three-pointers. Hayden Burgess also hit a three, and Jaxen Honeycutt and Ryan Carter each had a pair. Cole Brown scored all five McKenzie points.

The second quarter was a 20-20 wash. Cayden Ownby led the Rebels with five points, including a three. Avery Brown scored four. Nolan Fawcett and Kason Brown each hit a three, and Cooper Davidson also scored three points. Eli Vinson had a pair. Daniel Phillips led the Irish with seven points. Epps scored four, Honeycutt hit a three, and Brayden Self also had three points. Carter added a pair, and Burgess hit a free throw. At the half, the Irish led 37-25.

Houston County pulled away with a 19-8 advantage in the third, led by Carter with nine points. Epps scored six, and Honeycutt and Phillips each added a pair. A. Brown scored five for McKenzie. Vinson added a pair, and K. Brown hit a freebie. Heading into the final frame, Houston County led 56-33.

The Rebels rallied 22-19 in the fourth for a closer final, led by A. Brown with six points, including a three-pointer. Fawcett scored five with a three. Malakai Harris hit a three, and Ethan Bradberry and Parker Ross each scored three points. Ownby and Davidson each hit a free throw. Epps led the Irish with eight points. Carter scored six. Trace Mitchell and Kobe Hillsman each had a pair, and Self hit a freebie.

Houston County's Townes Epps led all scorers with 28 points, including a pair of threes. Ryan Carter scored 19.

Avery Brown led McKenzie with 15 points, including a three.