McKenzie Swept by Stewart County in Preseason Opener

McKENZIE (November 21) — McKenzie High School hosted Stewart County for a pair of Hall of Champion (preseason) contests Thursday, their first of the year. Stewart County’s Lady Rebels pulled away late in the first half for a 55-32 win. McKenzie’s Rebels, running with just six active players due to the football team’s ongoing playoff run, held their own throughout but fell just short at the end, 46-40.

Stewart County Lady Rebels 55, McKenzie Lady Rebels 32
Stewart County had a 6-4 edge after the opening frame, led by Faith Dacus with four points. Jaelyn Newman had a pair. Molly French and Jaycee Stafford each had a pair for McKenzie.

Stewart County opened up a big lead with a 21-10 advantage in the second quarter, led by Newman with seven points, including a three-pointer. McKaylie Wallace scored six on a pair of threes, and Dacus, Angie Nelson and Namine Bridges each added a pair. McKenzie’s Braylin Auvenshine scored four, and Addyson Littleton and Kynadie Brown each hit a three. At the half, Stewart County led 27-14.

Stewart County enjoyed a 19-6 tilt in the third, led by Newman with seven points. Bridges scored six, Dacus had five and Karleigh Bisogno hit a free throw. Stafford and Littleton each scored three for McKenzie. Entering the final frame, Stewart County led 46-20.

McKenzie narrowed the final deficit with a 12-9 rally in the fourth. Brown, Sophie Pate, Ava Hastings and Addison Milam each hit a three-pointer. Bridges scored four for Stewart County, Nelson hit a three, and Dacus added a pair.

Stewart County’s Jaelyn Newman led all scorers with 18 points, including a three-pointer. Faith Dacus scored 13, and Namine Bridges had a dozen.

Kynadie Brown and Addyson Littleton led McKenzie with six points each, Brown on a pair of threes and Littleton with one.

Stewart County Rebels 46, McKenzie Rebels 40
McKenzie had a 7-2 lead after the first frame on three-pointers by Landyn Smith and Carter Kee and a free throw by Nolan Fawcett. Benn Hendricks, Jr. and Jacob Morgan each hit a free throw for Stewart County.

Stewart County took the lead with a 19-10 advantage in the second quarter, led by Kyrick Wallace with seven points, including a three. Brayden Threatt scored six, Morgan had four, and Hendricks added a pair. Kee scored four McKenzie points, and Eli Vinson and Cayden Ownby each hit a three-pointer. At the half, Stewart County led 21-17.

McKenzie cut the deficit to a single point with a 13-10 tilt in the third, led by Vinson with six points. Kee scored four, and Fawcett hit a three. Morgan scored five for Stewart County. Hendricks and Wallace each added a pair, and Treatt hit a freebie. Heading into the final frame, Stewart County led 31-30.

Stewart County sealed the win in a 15-10 fourth, led by Zachary Morgan with six points on a pair of threes. Wallace scored five, and Hendricks and Threatt each had a pair. Kee had all ten McKenzie points, including a three-pointer.

McKenzie’s Carter Kee led all scorers with 21 points, including a pair of three-pointers. Eli Vinson scored nine with a three.

Kyrick Wallace led Stewart County with 14 points, including a three. Jacob Morgan scored ten, also with a three.