Lady Rebels Top Trojanettes in Region Quarterfinal, 70-55

McKENZIE (February 28) — McKenzie High School hosted Collinwood Friday to open the Region 6A Girls Basketball Tournament. The host Lady Rebels were in control from the early minutes and cruised to a 70-55 win to advance to the semifinals.

McKenzie had a 12-9 edge after the first frame, led by Molly French with nine points on a trio of three-pointers. Sophie Pate also hit a three. Trojanette Tevy Statom scored four points. Tessa Statom hit a three, and Sophia Keeton had a pair.

The Lady Rebels doubled up Collinwood 16-8 in the second quarter, led by Jaycee Stafford with seven points, including a three. Pate, French and Ava Hastings each hit a three-pointer. Keeton led the Trojanettes with four points. Myah Gray-Ayers had a pair, and Tessa S. and Belle Robinson each hit a free throw. At the half, the Lady Rebels led 28-17.

McKenzie had a 25-19 advantage in the third, led by Pate with a dozen points on four three-pointers. French scored five with a three, Stafford had four points, and Aurora Johnson and Braylin Auvenshine each had a pair. Keeton scored eight for Collinwood. Tevy S. and Robinson each scored four, Tevy with a three-pointer. Tessa S. hit a three. Heading into the final frame, the Lady Rebels led 53-36.

The Trojanettes cut the final deficit with a 19-17 tilt in the fourth, led by Tevy S. and Ellie Blalock, each with six points on pairs of threes. Tessa S. scored five with a three, and Robinson added a pair. Stafford led McKenzie with ten points. French scored four, Auvenshine added a pair, and Hastings hit a free throw.

Lady Rebels Molly French and Jaycee Stafford led all scorers with 21 points each, French with five three-pointers and Stafford with one. Sophie Pate scored 18 points on six threes.

Tevy Statom and Sophia Keeton led Collinwood with 14 points each, Tevy with a trio of threes. Tessa Statom scored 12, also with a trio of three-pointers.