Straughn defeated McKenzie in overtime and earned an at-home sweep during an varsity basketball home doubleheader on Dec. 5. 8.
Straughn Lady Tigers 47
McKenzie Lady Tigers 23
Straughn built up a 20-point advantage at halftime and rolled to a victory of 47-23 against McKenzie in the girls’ varsity game.
Blakeley Smith scored two layups to take an early four-point lead. Hayden Bozeman then cut the gap in half by scoring the basket. Maddie Williamson and Aubrey Pittman were next with buckets, as Ora Hall threw in two jumpers to create the score to 12-2. Zaniyah Davidson cut down the gap to 12-4 by scoring a field goal by visitors Lady Tigers. Williamson and Hall ended the half by scoring buckets and gave their home Lady Tigers a 16-4 lead after just one.
Hall hit a pair of three-pointers in the first half after which Pittman scored two free throws to take an advantage of 24-4. After Bozeman hit an attempt to score with 3:27 left in the first quarter, Tori Canant knocked down a jumper to give the team a lead of 26-6 at the half.
McKenzie emerged from the break with back-to-back baskets, and led 26-10. Nevaeh Marshall came back by putting drives in the hoop, and extended up the score to 30-10. Sarrenati Davidson shot four-of-eight from the foul line while Charisa Bullard tallied three field goals during the 3rd. Hall hit a free-throw and gave Straughn a lead of 31-17 after three.
Both teams struggled to score until the fourth quarter, when Smith scored a three-pointer and extended the gap to 34-17 at 6:14. Bullard then scored two more baskets, but Williamson ran up and over the glass. Pittman followed with an open jumper, and Kinsley Short hit the three. Smith scored an Lady Tigers at home Lady Tigers a 43-19 lead at 1:40 before Trenady Pierce scored 2 free-throws to the visitors Lady Tigers. Pittman scored a layup while Bullard finished the scoring by scoring the basket.
Hall was the top scorer for Straughn (6-2) in scoring with 13, in the victory and was then followed by Smith who scored 11. Pittman scored eight points while Williamson added six points.
Bullard was the leading scorer for McKenzie (0-5) by scoring eight in their loss. Bozeman scored six points, while Davidson had four points.
Straughn Tigers 52
McKenzie Tigers 43
Straughn recorded nine points during overtime, and kept McKenzie scoreless throughout the final frame to secure an impressive win 52-43 in the match between the varsity boys.
Parker Black scored the opening point of the game before Jaylen McMillian scored three free throws, giving the team an advantage of 3-2. Jahmarren Jackson added an extra jumper and McMillian provided the visiting Tigers the lead of 7-2. Kaden Wiggins scored a big three with just 4:36 remaining in the first half before Taylor Sikes evened the score 7-7 by scoring a pair of free-throws. Wiggins as well as Joseph Driver scored back-to-back threes and gave the home Tigers an advantage of 13-12 after one.
The game went between the two teams in the second quarter with neither side leading to more than a point by the middle of the period. Layne Grantham and Clark Jordan each made a smart move towards the hoop while Straughn had a lead of 19-16. Devin Covan and McMillian then hit three-pointers to give Straughn an advantage of 22-21. After Black scored two points at the line, McKenzie took a 25-23 advantage into the halftime.
Wiggins along with Skylar Sanders traded threes during the beginning in the 3rd. Jackson offered the visitors Tigers an advantage of 3026 points by scoring a three. Sikes replied by shooting a long-range shot and Jordan scored two points at the line, as the home Tigers had a 31-30 advantage with just 1:54 remaining in the game. Jackson was able to score a bucket in the closing seconds to give the Tigers a 32-31 advantage after three.
Straughn scored a jumper off Grantham and a triple from Wiggins to give him an advantage of 36-32 going into the fourth. Covan extended the lead to 36-35 by the 4:54 point. Grantham scored a second basket to give Grantham a 41-38 advantage until Jayden McMillian brought the score to 41-41 after another three. Jaylen McMillian provided McKenzie an advantage of 43-41 with just 40 seconds remaining and then Wiggins forced overtime by making two crucial free throws in the final moments.
The home Tigers took a huge 49-43 advantage after three consecutive baskets by Jordan during the second session. Wiggins was then 3-of-4 at the line, while the visitors Tigers could not find the hoops.
Wiggins was the top scorer of Straughn (3-4) who scored 20 points. Jordan also scored double figures with 12 points. Black Grantham and Grantham each had six points while Sikes had five during the victory.
Jaylen McMillian led McKenzie (3-2) with 13 points. She was closely followed by Jackson who scored 11. Covan as well as Jayden McMillian each scored six points during the loss.
Straughn is still in his home and is awaiting the arrival of Andalusia the following Tuesday December. 12.
The story Straughn takes on McKenzie to take home a sweep was first published at The Andalusia Star-News.
