Rebels Fall to Houston County in Semifinal

ERIN (February 22) — The McKenzie Rebels traveled to Houston County High School Saturday for a District 12A Boys Basketball Tournament semifinal. The game was tied after three quarters, but the Fighting Irish pulled away in the fourth for a 65-51 win and a spot in the championship game. The Rebels will play in the consolation game.

McKenzie had a 17-15 lead after the opening frame, led by Tate Surber with nine points. Craegen Travis scored four, and Cole Brown and Landon Brown each had a pair. Houston County’s Mac Baggett scored eight with a pair of three-pointers. Hagen Honeycutt also hit a three, and Casen Clark and Ryan Carter each had a pair.

The Irish took the lead with an 11-7 advantage in the second quarter, led by Clark with six points. Brady Bucciarelli hit a three, and Brady Link had a pair. Carter Kee led the Rebels with five points, including a three. C. Brown added a pair. At the half, Houston County led 26-24.

McKenzie tied it with an 18-16 edge in the third, led by Surber with nine points, including a three. Kee scored six on a pair of threes. C. Brown added a pair, and Eli Vinson hit a free throw. Baggett led the Irish with 12 points on four three-pointers, and Carter scored four points. Entering the final frame, the game was knotted at 42-42.

Houston County claimed the win with a 23-9 tilt in the fourth, led by Honeycutt with 15 points, including a three. Carter scored four, Clark had three points, and Bucciarelli hit a freebie. Surber led the Rebels with four points. Kee hit a three, and C. Brown added a pair.

Rebel Tate Surber led all scorers with 22 points, including a three. Carter Kee scored 14 with four three-pointers.

Mac Baggett led the Irish with 20 points, including six threes. Hagen Honeycutt scored 18 with a pair of threes.