Also missing Friday night against Riverside was leading scorer Renee Crawley, who suffered a freak-accident ankle injury. Then, to add insult to absence and injury, junior Hope Wyder left the game in the third quarter with what was initially believed to be a concussion.

While all three are valued teammates, McKenzie didn't miss them. In fact, the Lady Reb understudies poured it on early and often in a 69-46 victory over the visiting Lady Panthers.

MHS coach Dan Ridley was concerned by the absences going into the crucial 11AA battle, but was surprised by the outcome.
"I was worried about this game," said Ridley, "But I didn't expect us to win like this."

Pressure defense had an immediate impact as McKenzie forced four turnovers in the first two minutes and jetted to a 15-4 start. Riverside never fully went away but never was in the game, either.

Freshman Anna Trull took over the game early, scoring nine of McKenzie's 20 first-quarter points and then depositing a pair of triples and a three-point play in the second frame as the Lady Rebels expanded their lead to 39-17 at the half. Trull finished with 24 points.

"I was really worried about this one, but the kids showed me how deep we are," Ridley said. "The young kids played real well."

Perhaps this game wasn't won in the first two minutes; it might have been won in the first two minutes of practice before the Riverside game.

"At practice, I challenged the kids; I told them they could quit or play twice as hard," the coach said. "We have good personnel and these kids chose to step up and play harder."

While youth might have been served, the healthy and present veterans also stepped up.

Mallory Brandon had runner and a big triple in the first half, Sarah Hartz had a solid game on both ends of the floor with six points and three boards, Hope Wyder had 14 points and seven boards before leaving the game.

"Mallory, Sarah and Hope had big games for us, too," Ridley said. "I was proud of them."

Jalisa Brown proved to be a viable option in the paint with two fourth-quarter rebounds and sophomore point guard Brooke Cole had a career night with 14 points.

It was a well-rounded effort by the Lady Rebels, who remain atop the 11AA standings.

"We won't back down from anyone and we'll do what we have to do," Ridley said. "This was a good win and I'm proud of the kids."

Brandon had five points for McKenzie; Courtney Wiggins scored eight. The Lady Rebels were a sizzling 28-56 from the floor, pulled down 30 rebounds and committed a scant 11 turnovers.

Angel Gibson led Riverside with 13 points. Audrey Crosby scored seven and Kirby Camper added six for the Lady Panthers. Riverside was 16-55 shooting, but had 39 rebounds, 23 on the offensive end. However, McKenzie's defense forced 25 Lady Panther turnovers.

In other action:

GLEASON GIRLS 55, McKENZIE 49 at Gleason - The state's top-ranked Class A team had all it wanted from a pretty good Class AA McKenzie team in Tuesday night action.

Amy Suddath scored 15 points to lead the Gleason Lady Bulldogs. Meagan Price and Kayla Hudson each scored 11 while Amber Wiseman tossed in nine.

Renee Crawley led McKenzie with 20 points. Hope Wyder tossed in 18.

The game began with Waneca Melton leading all scorers with seven points as she was one of three Fillies to reach double figures for the night. Crystal Fuller led the Fillies with22 while Jessica Hilliard added 10. Ernicka Willis led the Lady Tigers with 16 and was the only one on her team in double figures. Ashlee Lockhart, Brooke Pritchard and Payten Butler each scored eight for the Fillies while Sharri Smith added six and Casey Hinson contributed four. Kathy Doupis contributed seven to the Lady Tiger casue while Whitney Owens and Nikita Washum each added four and Heaven Wilks scored two.

The Mustangs dominated the boards in reaching their tenth overall victory last Tuesday night while the Tigers struggled to keep pace. Freshman Chris Donald scored 14 third quarter points on his way to a high school high 20 points for the game while Hillsman led all scorers with 25 for the night. Terrance Bell contributed 11 to the Mustang cause while Orey Willis led the Tigers with 18 and Albiro King scored 11.

The Stangs led 18-12 after one and 36-25 at intermission. Donald’s 14 and Hillsman seven points in the third improved the Stangs overall margin to 61-39 by the end of three and Hillsman added another nine as the Mustangs won the contest 80-53.

Additional scoring for Huntingdon was as follows: Desmond Townes had seven, Blake Hampton scored six, Will Atkins added four, Garrett Meggs scored three and Brent Taylor and Brandon McCormick added two each. The Tigers got eight points each from Kerry Hunt and Zac Davis while Tanner Stepp contributed six and Russell Noles scored two.

• Rebs Seek Answers After OT Loss
• Fillies Defeat Dresden
• Mustangs Hold Off Late Dresden Charge
• Lady Tigers Take lady War Eagles Into Overtime in Loss
• Lady Rockets Lose Heartbreaker, Rockets Win During Homecoming
• War Eagles Dominate at Hollow Rock-Bruceton