Injuries have taken their toll on the defending Class A state champion McKenzie Lady Rebels.
And it’s not like they are playing substandard teams.
Tuesday night, without the services of reigning Class A Miss Basketball Savannah Davis and starter Hannah Dillingham, McKenzie held a pretty significant 69-57, fourth-quarter lead against host Gibson County, leading 69-57. The Lady Pioneers are considered to be a Class AA contender this sesaon.
For some reason, the Lady Rebels suffered a fourth-quarter dearth, similar to what it expoerienced against Middle Tennessee Christian School Dec. 10. In the final five minutes of the game, Gibson County went on a 19-2 run to secure a 76-71 victory over McKenzie.
Evyn Cantrell led Gibson County with 22 points, Saniah Reeves added 18, Micah Hart 15 and Georgia Lannom 14.
Mikaela Reynolds led the Lady Rebels with 19 points. Katie Chesser, Sophie Pate, Kylie Reynolds and Briley Auvenshine each scored 12.
In the nightcap, McKenzie picked up a 73-68 victory over the host Pioneers.
Five Rebels reached double figures. McKenzie took a 22-19 lead in the first half, but the Pioneers closed within one, 39-38 at the break. McKenzie led 44-39 after three.
Kylan Finch led GC with 23 points, Matthew Reynolds with 20 and Ethan Turner with 13.
Marquez Taylor was tops for the Rebels with 18, Tate Surber poured in 16, Zach Aird added 11, Bryson Steele and Zay Webber each scored 10. Stafford Roditis scored eight.
The Lady Rebels played at Milan Monday night. McKenzie’s girls are set to play in the Stewart County Christmas Classic Dec. 28-30. McKenzie wll face Clarksville 11:30 a.m., Dec. 29. Following their loss at Huntingdon Friday (see related story), McKenzie is 5-4.
The Rebels, 3-1, after defeating Huntingdon Friday, also played at Milan Monday night. The Rebels will battle Stewart County 10 a.m. Dec. 29, then take on Montgomery Central at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 30.
