In a game that came down to the final seconds, the McLennan Highlassies fell to the Kilgore Lady Rangers 54-53 in the season opener.
McLennan opened the game on a 6-0 run and led 10-8 at the end of the first quarter as both teams struggled to find a rhythm. The Highlassies increased the lead to nine, 19-10, with just under five minutes to play in the second quarter. But, Kilgore ended the half on an 11-0 run to take the 21-19 lead into the break.
The Highlassies rallied in the third quarter, cutting the lead to two, 34-32, with 1:23 on the clock. The Lady Rangers ended the half on a 5-0 run, including a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Lauren Carrol, to extend the lead to seven. Kilgore led 52-48 with 40 seconds remaining in the game. Ariana Sanders drained two free throws with 26 seconds to go to pull McLennan within two. A Victoria Seay 3-pointer gave the Highlassies the 53-52 lead with 17 seconds remaining. Kilgore's Carrol hit two free throws with 12.53 to go to take the lead. McLennan's final possession resulted in a turnover, ending the chance of stealing the win or forcing overtime.
Sophomore Tayla Taylor led the Highlassies with 15 points. Caylinne Martin and Raven Ringo scored 13 each.
On Saturday, the Highlassies fell to the Angelina Lady Roadrunners 62-55.
The game was close throughout the first half. Angelina led 13-11 at the end of the first quarter. The Lady Roadrunners extended the lead to six, 27-21, with 2:20 to play in the second quarter. McLennan ended the half on a 4-0 run to cut the lead to two at the break, 27-25.
Angelina increased the lead to five, 34-29, with seven minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Highlassies responded with a 13-0 run over the next three minutes to build an eight-point lead, 42-34. The Lady Roadrunners pulled within one at the end of the third, 44-43, and took the one-point lead on the first possession of the third quarter. Angelina then pulled away down the stretch to secure the win.
Martin led the Highlassies with 23 points. Taylor added 12 and Diamond Ervin had 10.
Kilgore, 54, McLennan 55
Kilgore: Robbin Smith 3 0-0 6; Lyrik Williams 0 7-8 7; Lauren Carrol 1 13-20 16; Aliyah Bernard 1 1-2 3; KeKe Barber 0 2-2 2; Adrianna Edwards 5 3-8 13; Dominique Thomas 1 2-2 4; Christine Smith 1 0-0 3; Totals: 14 28-40 54.
McLennan: Kiana Martin 0 0-0 0; Kyera Coleman 0 0-0 0; Diamond Ervin 0 0-0 0; Victoria Seay 2 0-0 6; Ariana Sanders 1 4-8 6; Raven Ringo 5 0-0 13; Tayla Taylor 6 3-9 15; Caylinne Martin 6 1-1 13; Totals: 25 8-18 53.
3-pointers: Kilgore 2 (R. Smith 1, Carrol 1), McLennan 5 (Ringo 3, Seay 2); Total fouls: Kilgore 18, McLennan 33; Fouled out: McLennan (K. Martin, Coleman, Diamond Ervin); Halftime score: Kilgore 21, McLennan 19. Record: McLennan 0-1.
Angelina 62, McLennan 55.
Angelina: Ariel Taylor 2 0-0 5; Ebony Story 2 0-0 4; Mikayla Crockett 5 0-2 14; Tyanna Barlow 3 1-2 9; Briana Caro 4 0-0 12; Briana Hale 0 0-2 0; LaNeique Nealey 4 2-5 10; Ashley Cherry 1 2-2 4; Keonna Baldwin 1 0-0 2; Malachi McQueen 1 0-2 2; Caitlyn Lambert 0 0-0 0; Totals: 23 5-15 62.
McLennan: Victoria Seay 1 0-0 3; Diamond Ervin 3 3-5 10; Ariana Sanders 1 0-0 2; Raven Ringo 1 0-0 2; Tayla Taylor 5 2-4 12; Tori Thompson 1 1-1 3; Caylinne Martin 10 3-7 23; Totals: 22 9-17 55.
3-pointers: Angelina (Crockett 4, Caro 4, Barlow 2, Taylor 1); McLennan 2 (Seay 1, Ervin 1); Total fouls: Angelina 26, McLennan 16; Fouled out: Angelina (Lambert); Halftime score: Angelina 27, McLennan 25; Record: McLennan 0-2.
