Lady Rebels Best McEwen in Thriller, Rebels Fall

McEWEN (January 9) — McKenzie HIgh School began district basketball play Friday with a pair of road contests at McEwen. The Lady Rebels carried an early advantage into the third, where the Warriorettes took the momentum and the lead. McKenzie rallied in the fourth to claim a narrow, 56-54 victory. The Warriors pulled away early for a 78-44 win.

McKenzie Lady Rebels 56, McEwen Warriorettes 54

The Lady Rebels had an 11-7 lead after the opening frame, led by Madeline Gottshall with seven points, including a three-pointer. Jaycee Stafford scored four. Warriorette Laila Downs had five points with a three, and Ava Lastovka had a pair.

McKenzie had a 16-13 edge in the second quarter, led by Braylin Auvenshine with nine points on a trio of threes. Stafford scored four, and Gottshall had three points. Lastovka led McEwen with seven points, including a three. Georgia Dinnen scored three, Downs added a pair, and Maggie Baker hit a free throw. At the half, the Lady Rebels led 27-20.

The Warriorettes rallied 22-12 in the third to pull ahead, led by Downs with 13 points, including a pair of three-pointers. Drinnen, Lastovka and Carly Baker each hit a three. Stafford led McKenzie with four points. Auvenshine and Ava Hastings each hit a three-pointer, and Addyson Littleton had a pair. Entering the final frame, McEwen led 42-39.

The Lady Rebels came back for the win with a 17-12 advantage in the fourth, led by Stafford with six points. Hastings scored four with a three-pointer. Auvenshine also hit a three, and Gottshall and Littleton each added a pair. Downs led the Warriorettes with nine points, including a three. Lastovka added a pair, and Drinnen hit a freebie.

McEwen’s Laila Downs led all scorers with 29 points, including four three-pointers. Ava Lastovka scored 14 with a pair of threes.

Jaycee Stafford led McKenzie with 18 points. Braylin Auvenshine scored 15 on five three-pointers. Madeline Gottshall had 12 points with a three.

Warriors 78, Rebels 44

The Warriors stormed out to a 30-12 lead after the first frame, led by Ty Green with 14 points, including a three-pointer. Case Green scored ten, also with a three. Kainan Gill had six points. Cole Brown led McKenzie with four points. Avery Brown hit a three, Nolan Fawcett and Eli Vinson each had a pair, and Kason Brown hit a free throw.

McEwen grew the lead with a 20-4 advantage in the second quarter, led by T. Green with six points. Truman Gill scored four, and Tyde Dodd hit a three-pointer. Elijah Villarruel, Miner Reed and C. Green each had a pair, and K. Gill hit a freebie. Ethan Bradberry had all four Rebel points. At the half, the Warriors led 50-16.

McKenzie rallied 18-13 in the third, led by C. Brown with 12 points, including a pair of threes. A. Brown, K. Brown and Cooper Davidson each had a pair. Koby Hudson led McEwen with six points. T. Gill hit a three, and K. Gill and C. Green each added a pair. Heading into the final frame, McEwen led 63-34.

The Warriors closed the win with a 15-10 tilt in the fourth, led by K. Gill and Dylan Green with four points each. Andrew Prieto hit a three-pointer. T. Green added a pair, and Villarruel and C. Green each hit a free throw. C. Brown led McKenzie with four points. Vinson, K. Brown and Cayden Ownby each had a pair.

Warrior Ty Green led all scorers with 22 points, including a three-pointer. Case Green scored 15 with a three, and Kainan Gill had 13 points.

Cole Brown led the Rebels with 20 points, including a pair of threes.