Highlassies fall to Weatherford

The McLennan Highlassies and Weatherford Lady Coyotes battled from the opening tip until the final buzzer tonight at The Highlands with the Lady Coyotes squeaking out an 82-77 win. Weatherford built a six-point lead at 12-6 with 7:19 to play in the first half. McLennan found its rhythm and used a 9-0 run highlighted by five points from Raija Todd to take a three-point lead, 15-12. Weatherford responded with a 5-0 run to go ahead by two. The teams traded baskets with McLennan holding the 22-21 after one quarter of play. It was a close throughout the second quarter. The Highlassies extended their lead to five late in the period and led 47-43 at intermission.
 
McLennan led by three, 50-47, with just under seven minutes to play in the third. The Highlassies used a 1-0 run comprised of a pair of 3-pointers from Mersadez Nephew and one from Todd to extend the lead to 12. McLennan led 61-49 with 3:58 remaining in the third. Weatherford ended the quarter on a 12-0 run to tie the game at 61 going into the final period.
 
The Highlassies trailed by three, 66-63, with 7:45 to play. A drive through the lane and bucket by Nephew followed by a 3-pointer from Jaidyn Fontenette put McLennan up by two midway through the quarter. The game was tied at 71 with just under four to play. A 4-0 run by the Lady Coyotes gave them the advantage that McLennan couldn't overcome in the final minutes.
 
Mersadez Nephew and Raija Todd led the Highlassies with 22 points including six 3-pointers from Todd on the night. Jaidyn Fontenette added 10 points.

Weatherford: Jasmyne Robinson 89-15 29; Zamoria McGrue 0 1-1 1; Ksenija Djokic 0 0-0 0; Celise Bobbitt 0 4-4 4; Leire Martinez Anaut 1 0-0 2; Ugne Pranculyte 1 0-0 2; Adreanna Waddle 4 1-3 9; Shomyra Francis 0 0-0 0; Diamond Sweats 7 2-2 16; Adela Valkova 4 3-3 11; Briarley Rogers 22-3 6; Totals: 28 22-31 82.
 
McLennan: Raija Todd8 0-1 22; Miannah Little 1 3-4 6; Jaidyn Fontenette 3 3-3 10; Ahlura Lofton 1 0-0 3; McKenzie Piper 0 4-12 4; Mele Kailahi 4 0-0 8; Mersadez Nephew 4 12-13 22; Judith Moya 0 0-0 0; Brielle Dorsey 1 0-0 2; Mariona Garcia 0 0-0 0; Totals: 22 22-33 77.
 
3-pointers: Weatherford 4 (Robinson 4), McLennan 11 (Todd 6, Nephew 2, Little 1, Fontenette 1, Lofton 1); Total fouls: Weatherford 28, McLennan 23; Fouled out: Weatherford (Valkova, Waddle), McLennan (Piper); Halftime score: McLennan 47, Weatherford 43; Record: McLennan 2-5 (1-2).