On sophomore day at The Highlands, the McLennan Highlanders and Highlassies defeated rival Temple.
In men's action, the Highlanders destroyed the Leopards, 99-72. The game was close throughout the first half. McLennan held its largest lead of the half at 34-25 with 1:51 remaining and led 37-35 at intermission. It was all McLennan in the second half. The Highlanders opened the second half on a 5-0 run and continued to pull away. McLennan led by as many as 29 as they cruised to the easy victory.
Jerami Grace led the Highlanders with 25 points. Aundre Jackson added 21 points and recorded a double-double with 10 rebounds. Ben Nakwaasah scored 15. Fred Jackson and Brian Long added 13 and 12, respectively.
In the early game, the Highlassies defeated the Lady Leopards 78-69.
McLennan opened the game on a 6-0 run and led by eight, 11-3, midway through the first quarter. Temple rallied, taking the 17-16 lead with less than a minute to play in the first quarter and extended the lead to three after one quarter of play, 19-16. The Highlassies tied the game at 29 with four minutes to play in the second quarter and held the 38-35 advantage at the break. McLennan outscored Temple 20-9 in the third quarter and led 58-44 heading into the final period. Temple trimmed the lead to six, 68-62, with 2:03 remaining in the game. The Highlassies went 10-10 from the free throw line in the final two minutes of the game to seal the win.
Tayla Taylor led the Highlassies with a double-double, 18 points and 13 rebounds. Diamond Ervin and Caylinne Martin added 13 and 12, respectively. Kyera Coleman scored 11.
McLennan 99, Temple 72
Temple: Cameron Martin 1 4-4 7; Chris West 2 0-2 4; Torenzo Saunders 1 3-3 5; Damien Day 9 0-1 20; Malik Malone 2 8-12 13; Adam Hinchcliffe 0 3-4 3; Sterlton Wenner 2 1-2 5; Eric Terry 0 1-2 1; Cole Price 2 0-2 5; Max Portmann 4 1-4 9; Totals: 23 21-36 72.
McLennan: Ben Nakwaasah 4 6-7 15; Antonio Wade 1 1-2 3; K.J. Boyd 0 0-1 0; Jerami Grace 7 8-9 25; Kaelen Malone 0 2-2 2; Shannon Bogues 4 4-6 12; Brian Long 1 0-0 2; Aundre Jackson 8 4-5 21; Zach Charles 0 3-6 3; Fred Jackson 4 5-10 13; Ricky Curry 1 1-2 3; Totals: 30 34-51 99.
3-pointers: Temple 5 (Day 2, Martin 1, Malone 1, Terry 1), McLennan 5 (Grace 3, A. Jackson 1, Nakwaasah 1); Total fouls: Temple 33, McLennan 31; Fouled out: Temple (Day, Terry, Price, Portmann); Halftime score: McLennan 35, Temple 27; Record: McLennan 25-4 (9-2).
McLennan 78, Temple 69
Temple: Kryshona Carter 3 0-0 9; Mikayla Blount 6 1-1 17; Samantha Allen 2 2-2 6; Shatarah Brown 4 0-0 12; Alexis Harris 5 3-4 14; Desiree Lampkin 0 2-2 2; Mckenzie Lunkin 4 1-1 9; Totals: 24 9-10 69.
McLennan: Kiana Martin 3 2-2 9; Kyera Coleman 2 6-6 11; Dariel Johnson 1 2-2 5; Victoria Seay 1 0-0 2; Diamond Ervin 5 1-3 13; Ariana Sanders 0 6-7 6; Raven Ringo 1 0-0 2; Tayla Taylor 9 0-0 18; Caylinne Martin 6 0-0 12; Totals: 28 17-20 78.
3-pointers: Temple 12 (Blount 4, Brown 4, Carter 3, Harris 1), McLennan 5 (Ervin 2, Martin 1, Coleman 1, Johnson 1); Total fouls: Temple 16, McLennan 16; Halftime score: McLennan 38, Temple 35; Record: McLennan 13-15 (8-5).
