Rebels Coast to Third over Tigers, Warriors Claim Title

McKENZIE (February 25) — McKenzie High School hosted the championship round of the District 12A Boys Basketball Tournament Tuesday.

The host Rebels cruised to an 89-50 win over the Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central Tigers in the consolation game, and the McEwen Warriors claimed the championship, 50-47, after a thrilling, back-and-forth title game against the Houston County Fighting Irish.

Following the games, the All-District and All-Tournament teams were announced.

The District 12A All-District team includes McKenzie's Carter Kee and Tate Surber, Central's Parker Finley and Caden Dean; Houston County's Casen Clark, Mac Baggett and Ryan Carter; and McEwen's Landon Davis, Zeke Harrington, Case Greene and MVP Caleb Coates. Coach of the Year is McEwen's Phil Ross.

The District 12A All-Tournament team includes McKenzie's Tate Surber; Central's Parker Finley; Houston County's Casen Clark, Mac Baggett and Ryan Carter; and McEwen's Zeke Harrington, Landon Davis and Ty Greene.

Consolation: McKenzie Rebels 89, Central Tigers 50

The Rebels had a 21-12 lead after the opening frame, led by Tate Surber with a dozen points, including a three-pointer. Carter Kee scored eight with a pair of threes, and Cole Brown hit a free throw. Tiger Caden Dean scored seven with a three, and Bryce Frye had five points with a three.

McKenzie had a 23-15 advantage in the second quarter, led by Surber with 16 points, including a pair of threes. Craegen Travis scored four points, and Brown hit a three-pointer. Parker Finley led Central with nine points. Frye scored four, and Nic King had a pair. At the half, McKenzie led 44-27.

The Rebels enjoyed a 27-12 tilt in the third, led by Kee with 14 points, including four three-pointers. Surber had eight points, Eli Vinson hit a three, and Brown added a pair. Fry led the Tigers with six points. King scored three, Dean added a pair, and Finley hit a freebie. Entering the final frame, the Rebels led 71-39.

McKenzie had an 18-11 edge in the fourth, led by Kee and Nolan Fawcett with six points each, both on a pair of threes. Surber scored four, and Brown added a pair. Finley scored six for Central on a pair of threes. Parker Boyd also hit a three, and Kaydince Banks had a pair.

Rebel Tate Surber led all scorers with 40 points, including a trio of threes. Carter Kee scored 28 with eight three-pointers.

Parker Finley led the Tigers with 16 points, including a pair of threes. Bryce Frye scored 15 with a three.

Championship: McEwen Warriors 50, Houston County Fighting Irish 47

The Irish led 13-8 after the first frame and extended the lead in the second, 16-13, for a 29-21 lead at the half. The Warriors stormed back with a 19-7 advantage in the third to lead 40-36 heading into the final frame. Houston County's 11-10 edge in the fourth was just short of the comeback.

Houston County's Casen Clark led all scorers with 20 points, including a trio of threes. Mac Baggett scored ten with a pair of threes. Ryan Carter had eight points. Brady Bucciarelli and Brady Link each hit a three-pointer, and Hagen Honeycutt also scored three points.

Case Greene led McEwen with 14 points, including a three. Ty Greene and Landon Davis each scored a dozen. Zeke Harrington had six points, Caleb Coates scored four, and Dalton Williams had a pair.