In an intense battle that came down to the final buzzer, the McLennan Highlanders defeated the Hill Rebels 70-67 on the road.
McLennan had the momentum to start the game, opening on a 9-0 run with five different Highlanders scoring in the first four minutes of play. Hill finally got on the board with a basket by Gob Gob with 15:20 to play in the first half. The bucket started a Rebel rally that pulled the squad within three, 11-8, just three minutes later. The Highlander were able to keep the Rebels at arm's length for the majority of the half with strong shooting from Daylon Dickerson. Hill rallied late in the half to cut the Highlander lead to two, 27-25, but the Highlanders ended on a 9-2 run to lead 36-27 at the break. Dickerson scored 14 points in the first half to pace the Highlanders.
Hill begin to chip away at the McLennan lead early in the second half. The Rebels pulled within one at 43-42 with 15:44 to go in the game. Dickerson stepped up with back-to-back baskets to push the lead back to five. McLennan continued to lead by five, 49-44 with 12:52 to play. Gob added a pair of baskets to pull the Rebels back within one less than 30 seconds later. This time Jaden Walker stepped up for the Highlanders with a 4-0 run to give the squad a little cushion. Hill rallied once again and took the 55-54 lead on a bucket-and-one by Kevin Rankin with 7:18 to play. After trading buckets, Hill continued to lead by one, 57-56. A Dickerson basket and a long jumper by Nick Shogbonyou put the Highlanders up by three, 60-57. A Gob free thrown and a Benjamin Ezeagu dunk tied the game at 60 with four minutes to play. After exchanging baskets, Hill took the lead on a Rankin 3-pointer with one minute remaining, 67-66. Dickerson went 1-2 from the free throw line to tie the game with 47 seconds remaining. McLennan inbounded the ball under its own goal and Antwone Gonzales drained a 3-pointer to put the Highlanders up 70-67 with 1.5 seconds on the clock. Hill's half-court shot bounced off the iron, securing the win for McLennan
Dickerson lead the Highlanders with 23 points. Shogbonyo and Gonzales scored 13 each.ac
McLennan: Daylon Dickerson9 5-6 23; Nick Shogbonyo . 4+9 13; Jaden Juarez 4 0-1 8; Antwone Gonzales 3 5-6 13; Landon Anderson 1 0-0 2; Cameron Crockett 1 2-4 4; Jaden Walker 3 1-1 7; Totals: 24 20-27 70.
Hill: Isaiah Randolph 4 0-1 8; Gob Gob 8 1-2 20; Solomon Kuol 1 0-0 2; Kevin Rankin 4 3-3 14; Benjamin Ezeagu 5 3-3 13; Monak Luol 1 0-0 2; Donta Bonds 0 0-0 0; Cameron Estill 3 0-0 6; Terrence East 0 0-0 0; Totals: 27 7-9 67.
Halftime score: McLennan 36, Hill; 3-pointers: McLennan2 (Gonzales 2), Hill6 (Gob 3, Rankin 3); Total fouls: McLennan13, Hill 23; Fouled out: Isaiah Randolph (Hill);
Record: McLennan 17-8 (4-5).
