The McLennan Highlanders improved to 11-3 on the season with a 71-55 win over the Panola Ponies this afternoon at The Highlands.
It was a low-scoring first half as both teams as were plagued by turnovers and offensive fouls early on. A layup by Nick Shogbonyo began the scoring for the Highlanders nearly two minutes into the game. Panola responded with a 3-0 run to take the 4-2 lead with 16:36 to go in the half. McLennan then used a 6-0 run to go up by four. The Highlanders led 14-11 with 6:53 to go before the half. McLennan pulled away with an 11-0 run, including nine points from Jared Clawson, and held the 35-21 advantage at halftime.
Panola came out fired up to start the second half, opening on a 7-0 run to trim the lead to seven, 35-28. The Ponies continued to rally, trimming the lead to four with 13:18 remaining in the game, 39-35. McLennan stepped up the game, outscoring Panola 11-4 over the next four minutes to push the lead back to double digits, 50-39. The Highlanders held the Ponies at arm's length the rest of the way, including going 8-9 from the free throw line over a three minute stretch to secure the win.
Cedric Kelley led the Highlanders, recording the double-double with 23 points and 13 rebounds. CJ Hall added 14 points. Jared Clawson and AJ Barnes scored 13 and 12, respectively.
Panola: Hugo Mattioli 1 0-0 2; Marcus Greene 4 3-5 13; John Wilson 2 5-8 10; Kyndall Davis 2 1-2 6; Cory Curtis Jr. 1 0-0 3; Christian Henry 0 1-2 1; DJ Wilson 2 2-2 6; Jaden Gray 0 3-4 3; Yaphet Moundi 3 5-8 11; Vianney Salatchoum 0 0-0 0; Totals: 15 20-31 55.
McLennan: Nick Shogbonyo 2 0-0 4; CJ Hall 5 2-3 14; Dayvaughn Froe 0 0-0 0; Jaylen Thompson 1 0-0 2; A.J. Barnes 3 6-7 12; Jared Clawson 1 11-11 13; Omarion Smith 0 2-2 2; Mason Lockhart 1 0-0 2; Kaleb Pouncy 0 0-0 0; Cedric Kelley 8 7-8 23; Khalif Allim 0 0-0 0; Totals: 21 28-31 71.
3-pointers: Panola 5 (Greene 2, Wilson 1, Davis 1, Curtis Jr. 1), McLennan 2 (Hall 2); Total fouls: Panola 25, McLennan 25; Fouled out: Panola (Moundi); Halftime score: McLennan 35, Panola 21; Record: McLennan 11-3.
