McLennan women, men open conference with wins over Ranger

The McLennan basketball squads opened conference play Saturday afternoon at The Highlands with both the women and men coming away with victories over Ranger.

The Highlassies defeated the Lady Rangers 67-57 in the first game of the doubleheader.

Ranger began the scoring on a Marshalia Lollie layup off an inbound pass under the basket with 7:59 to play in the first quarter. McLennan's Anndrea Lloyd tied the game with a pair of free throws just over a minute later. A pair of Jaylan Gulley free throws put the Lady Rangers back up by two. Jaylonn Walker then gave the Highlassies their first lead of the game on a 3-pointer from the elbow with 6:10 remaining in the quarter. The Lady Rangers took a four-point lead, 9-5, midway through the quarter, but McLennan stepped up their game with an 8-0 run to build a four-point lead of their own and doubled the lead to eight going into the second period, 24-16.

The Highlassies were in control to start the second, opening on a 5-0 run comprised of a Velma Mitchell 3-pointer and Shekenia Green jumper to take the 29-16 lead. Ranger rallied late in the quarter to trim the McLennan lead to four, and the Highlassies lead by six at the half, 36-30.

McLennan's defense prevailed in the third quarter. The Highlassies held the Lady Rangers to just nine points in the first seven minutes of the period – all from the free throw line – as they continued to pull away. McLennan led by as many as 15 in the quarter and held the 60-46 advantage going into the final period. The Highlassies increased the lead to 16 early in the fourth. Ranger made a run down the stretch cutting the lead to eight with 1:26 to play, but that was as close as it would get.

Jaylonn Walker led the Highlassies with 21 points. Anndrea Lloyd and Velma Mitchell added 13 and 12, respectively.

In men's action, the Highlanders defeated the Rangers 66-55.

Ranger's Caleb Smith got open for a 3-pointer less than a minute into the contest. McLennan responded with an 11-0 run to build an eight-point lead, 11-3, with 12:41 to play in the first. The Highlanders' defense held the Rangers to one 3-pointer and a pair of free throws over the first 10 minutes of the game. McLennan increased their lead to 12 with five minutes remaining in the half. Ranger rallied late to cut the Highlanders' lead to seven at intermission, 26-19.

Ranger continued to make a run to start the second half, pulling within four at 34-30 with 14 minutes to play. McLennan pulled away once again, this time using a 5-0 run to extend the lead to nine, 39-30. McLennan led by 11 with just under 10 minutes remaining in the game. Ranger pulled within six several times down the stretch but it wasn't enough.

Antoine Banks led McLennan with 19 points. Aaron Gregg and Javen Hedgeman added 16 and 13 points, respectively.

McLennan 67, Ranger 57
Ranger: Jaylan Gulley 3 2-2 10; Lena Maledon 3 1-1 9; Kendall Pack 0 2-2 2; Shan'Qaylia Stanton 4 2-2 10; Marshalia Lollie 6 2-2 14; Kylah Mize 1 3-6 6; Madisyn Francis 0 0-0 0; Ny'Keria Jones 2 2-2 6; Savannah Lawson 0 0-0 0; JaNay Redic 0 0-0 0; Totals: 19 14-19 57.

McLennan: Patrickia Daily 0 0-0 0; Colandria Haynes 1 4-4 6; JonNá McDonald 0 0-0 0; Shekenia Green 1 0-0 2; Velma Mitchell 5 0-0 12; KeeKee Nowlin 2 2-2 6; Jaylonn Walker 6 7-7 21; Raveen Blue 0 0-0 0; Nadia Hayes 1 1-1 3; Chiqueria Cook 1 2-3 4; Anndrea Lloyd 4 5-6 13; Totals: 21 20-23 67.

3-pointers: Ranger 5 (Gulley 2, Maledon 2, Mize 1), McLennan 4 (Mitchell 2, Walker 2); Total fouls: Ranger 18, McLennan 13; Halftime score: McLennan 36, Ranger 30; Record: McLennan 8-7 (1-0).

McLennan 66, Ranger 55
Ranger: Kevin Major 2 0-0 4; Malik Archer 3 5-8 12; Keyshaad Dixon 0 0-0 0; Caleb Smith 5 0-0 14; Crishawn Cook 1 2-2 5; Devonte Patterson 0 0-0 0; Jabri McCall 1 4-4 6; Akiem Daschner 3 2-5 8; Jevon Brown 1 0-0 2; Elijah Ifejeh 0 1-2 1; Jahmel Bodrick 1 1-2 3; Totals: 17 15-23 55.

McLennan: Aaron Gregg 4 7-12 16; Javen Hedgeman 3 7-10 13; Marquez Cooper 1 1-2 3; Xaiver Armstead 0 0-0 0; Antoine Banks 5 4-5 19; Jashawn Talton 1 0-0 2; Dayante McClellan 0 2-4 2; Daniel Pinho Severo 1 1-2 3; Jordan Skipper-Brown 2 2-2 6; Sasa Vuksanvic 1 0-0 2; Totals: 18 22-24 66.

3-pointers: Ranger 6 (Smith 4, Archer 1, Cook 1), McLennan 6 (Banks 5, Gregg 1); Total fouls: Ranger 27, McLennan 28; Fouled out: Ranger (McCall); Halftime score: McLennan 26, Ranger 19; Record: McLennan 18-1 (1-0).