The McLennan Highlassies' season came to an end this afternoon with a 79-70 loss in a hard-fought battle with the Grayson Lady Vikings in Sherman.
McLennan was in control for the six minutes of play. Jaidyn Fontenette drove to the basket for two with 8:52 to go in the first half to start the Highlassie scoring. McLennan took a 3-point lead at 5-2 on another driving basket by Fontenette but Grayson quicly tied the game at five with a 3-pointer from Shelby Black. The Highlassies responded with a 7-0 run over the next two minutes to lead 12-5 with 4:12 to play in the first quarter. McLennan led 16-11 after one quarter of play.
Grayson began to rally early in the second quarter and tied the game at 20 with 6:39 to remaining before the half. Momentum swung to the Lady Vikings as the Highlassie shots started to bounce off the iron. Grayson used a 9-0 run to begin pulling away but McLennan continued to fight. The Lady Vikings led 32-23 with 1:40 to play in the second. The Highlassies ended the half on a 5-0 run with a bucket from Ahlura Lofton and 3-pointer from Raija Todd in the final seconds to trim the lead to four at the break, 32-28.
The Lady Vikings opened the second half on a 7-0 run to extend their lead to 11, 39-28. Little drove through the lane for a layup to start a McLennan run. Todd followed with four consecutive baskets, including three 3-pointers, to give the Highlassies the 41-39 lead midway through the quarter. A free throw and layup by Grayson's Daiysha Brown put the Lady Vikings back on top, 42-41. Grayson extended the lead to five late at the quarter but McLennan cut it to three going into the final period, 51-48.
McLennan continued to trail by three, 55-52, with 7:30 remaining in the game. Grayson used a 7-0 run to extend their lead to 10, 62-52, with 5:54 to play. The Highlassies trimmed the leas to six a couple of times down the stretch but that was as close as they would get.
Raija Todd led the Highlassies with 27 points including seven 3-pointers.
The Highlassies end the season with an overall record of 10-12 and 8-8 in conference play.
Grayson 79, McLennan 70
McLennan: Raija Todd 10 0-0 27; Miannah Little3 2-5 8; Jaidyn Fontenette 3 0-0 6; Ahlura Lofton1 0-0 2; McKenzie Piper3 0-3 6; Mele Kailahi2 1-1 6; Mersadez Nephew 2 2-2 6; Judith Moya 0 0-0 0; Brielle Dorsey1 0-0 2; Marquise Nelson 2 0-0 4 Mariona Garcia 0 3-4 3; Totals: 37 8-15 70.
Grayson: Nisea Burrell 2 0-0 4; Sali Kourouma 13 5-9 34; Diaka Berete 1 1-2 3; Shelby Black 2 2-2 7; Daiysha Brown 2 7-10 11; Dax Melton 0 0-0 0; Marta Duda 2 0-0 4; Nivi Abron 1 0-0 2; Jane Asinde 5 4-7 14; Totals: 29 19-29 79.
3-pointers: McLennan 8 (Todd 7, Kailahi 1), Grayson 2 (Kourouma, Black 1); Total fouls: McLennan 23, Grayson 17; Fouled out: McLennan (Dorsey, Kailahi); Halftime score: Grayson 32, McLennan 28; Record: McLennan 10-12 (8-8).
