The McKenzie Lady Rebels claimed their first district title since 1963 as they defeated Huntingdon 68-47 Wednesday (Feb. 24) at McKenzie. Improving to 25-1 for the season, the Lady Rebels won over the Fillies on the strength of their defense and some timely three-point shooting. McKenzie forced 22 Fillies turnovers and made 10 of 25 three-pointers with four of those coming in the third quarter, breaking open a close game between the two squads.
Huntingdon came out strong, and Brooklyn Williams scored seven first quarter points. The Fillies trailed by one at 10-9 at the end of the first in hopes of the upset over the highly regarded Lady Rebels.
Savannah Davis, the District 11-A MVP, got untracked in the second quarter and made two three-pointers in the frame, and the Lady Rebels stretched their lead to 27-20 at the half as they took advantage of six Fillies turnovers in the second.
The Lady Rebels changed the flow of the game in the third quarter as they outscored the Fillies 23-15 in the third to take a 15-point lead at 50-35. The Lady Rebels built the lead on the strength of their three-point shooting. Katie Chesser came off the bench for the Lady Rebels and knocked down three shots from behind the arc and added a free throw for ten points in the frame, and Davis also made a three-pointer as McKenzie built their lead.
Lilly Bennett, the tournament MVP, took over for the Lady Rebels in the final quarter as she scored eight points in the fourth. Kylie Reynolds scored five and Davis added another three-pointer as McKenzie outscored Huntingdon 18-12 in the final quarter for the win.
The Fillies, who fell to 14-9 for the season, struggled from the three-point line as they only made 2 of 13 attempts, but they shot well at the charity stripe making 17 of 26 shots. The Lady Rebels were 4 of 11 at the line and committed 15 turnovers for the game.
Bennett led the Lady Rebels with 18 points, followed by Chesser 16, Davis 15, Reynolds 10, Mikaela Reynolds 4, Callahan 2, Dyer 2, and Auvenshine 1. Sophie Singleton led the Fillies with 11, followed by Addison Postlethwait 10, Brooklyn Williams 10, A. Singleton 5, Anderson 4, Rich 3, Butler 2, and Crossno 2.
The Lady Rebels advanced to the championship round with a 74-39 semifinal win over the Big Sandy Lady Red Devils on Feb. 22, and the Fillies topped the West Carroll Lady War Eagles 62-36 that same night in semifinal competition.
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West Carroll takes 3rd over Big Sandy
The hosting West Carroll Lady War Eagles secured the third place district slot on Feb. 24 with a 58-42 consolation win over the Big Sandy Lady Red Devils.
The two teams were locked at 12-12 at the end of the first quarter, but the Lady War Eagles pulled ahead in the second, outscoring Big Sandy 22-10 to hold the scoreboard 34-22 at the half.
Big Sandy rallied and cut five points off West Carroll’s lead in the third quarter, but put the Lady War Eagles poured it on in the fourth, outperforming Big Sandy 16-4 and taking the win.
Mia Jones spearheaded West Carroll’s offensive effort with 19 points, followed by Skylar Jones and Amaya Thompson with 10 apiece, Erin Norman with 9, Kaylee Butler with 7, Noelle Roberts with 3.
Ashly Berry led Big Sandy with 17, followed by Annalise Wade with 10; Lydia Dykes with 8; Ella Rogers, Lauren Flowers, Kaylee Stockdale with 2 each; Kaylyn Jackson with 1.
