The McLennan Highlanders improved their record to 14-2 with an 82-42 victory over the North Lake Blazers in their final non-conference game of the season.
McLennan opened the game with back-to-back slam dunks by Mike Adewunmi and Jordan Skipper-Brown to take the early four-point lead. North Lake responded with a 5-0 run over the next minute to lead 5-4 with 17:22 to play in the first half. The two teams kept it close for the next nine minutes of play with the Highlanders holding the 22-20 lead with eight minutes to go. McLennan broke the game open with a 17-3 run to end the half, holding the Blazers scoreless for just under eight minutes. The Highlanders held the 39-23 advantage at the break.
McLennan's momentum continued into the second half as the Highlanders opened on a 9-0 run to extend the lead to 25, 48-23. The Highlanders continued to pull away down the stretch as they cruised to the easy victory.
Sophomore Javen Hedgeman led the Highlanders with 15 points and Xavier Armstead added 12.
The Highlanders open conference play Wednesday, Jan. 9, hosting No.6 Ranger at 7:30 p.m.
North Lake: Seyi Imade 3 8-12 14; Emory Price 0 0-0 0; Mitchell Abercrombie 0 0-3 0; Cailen Bond 1 0-0 2; Matthew Boatner 0 0-0 0; Donovan Ray 2 1-2 6; Brady Boyd 4 2-2 13; Godfrey Agogo 0 0-0 0; Isaiah Pittman 1 0-3 3; Michael Hillebrand 2 0-0 4; James Roundtree 0 0-0 0; Totals: 13 5-26 42.
McLennan: Javen Hedgeman 1 12-16 15; Creighton Avery 1 0-0 2; Jimmie Kelly 2 3-4 7; Mike Adewunmi 4 0-0 9; Kameron Ivory 1 1-2 3; Xavier Armstead 5 2-2 12; Casey Armour 2 2-4 6; Garrett Shaw 2 5-5 9; Devyn Brewton 0 1-2 1; Dayante McClellan 3 0-0 6; Willie Thomas 1 1-2 3; Jordan Skipper-Brown 2 3-5 7; Tevis Stukes Jr. 0 0-0 0; Ja'Lyn Banks 1 0-0 2; Totals: 25 29-42 82.
3-pointers: North Lake 5 (Boyd 3, Ray 1, Pittman 1), McLennan 3 (Hedgeman 1, Kelly 1, Adewunmi 1); Total fouls: North Lake 31, McLennan 23; Fouled out: North Lake (Pittman, Ray); Halftime score: McLennan 39, North Lake 23; Record: McLennan 14-2.
