Highlassies defeat Coastal Bend, Houston in McLennan Classic

The McLennan Highlassies defeated the Coastal Bend Cougars 68-49 Friday evening on the opening day of the McLennan Classic to improve to 2-0 on the young season.

Sophomore Velma Mitchell pulled up for a 3-pointer to put McLennan on the board with 9:25 to play in the first quarter. The Highlassies led 4-3 with 6:42 to go in the first. A basket by Aryanna Brown and a free throw by Angelina Barela put the Cougars up 6-4. McLennan ended the quarter on a 12-3 run to take the 16-9 advantage.

The Highlassies opened the second on a 4-0 run to take the first double-digit lead of the game, 20-9. McLennan led by 13, 31-18, with just over two minutes to play in the half. Coastal Bend rallied to cut the lead to seven at the break, 34-27.

The Cougars trimmed the lead to four early in the third, 36-32. McLennan led 44-37 with 3:25 remaining in the quarter. The Highlassies ended the period on a 7-0 run to extend the lead to 14, 51-37, going into the fourth. McLennan opened the final quarter on an 8-2 run to push the lead to 20 and put the game away.

Sophomore Jaylonn Walker led the McLennan scorers with 16 points, and Mitchell added 15.

On Saturday, the Highlassies and Houston Lady Eagles squared off with McLennan coming away with the lopsided victory, 80-32.

Walker dished the ball to Velma Mitchell for a wide-open 3-pointer to begin the Highlassie scoring, igniting McLennan's 11-0 run to start the game. The Highlassies' prevalence became evident early on as the Lady Eagles were held to one field goal and a pair of free throws in the first quarter. McLennan led 38-13 at the break.

The second half was much the same, allowing McLennan's reserves to get ample playing time. The Highlassies led 65-17 going into the fourth quarter and continued to cruise to a 3-0 record for the season.

Shankia Clark led the Highlassies with 21 points. Mitchell and Walker scored 14 points each.

McLennan 68, Coastal Bend 49
Coastal Bend: Marissa Andrews 2 0-04; Darias Whittington 7 2-6 22; Destiny Knight 1 1-2 3; McKenna Christler 02-4 2; Aryanna Brown 1 0-0 2; Angelina Barela 0 1-4 1; Samantha Atkinson-Roach 3 2-4 9; Taiya Dixon 1 1-2 3; Emiko Hemphill 1 1-2 3; Totals: 16 10-22 49.

McLennan: Patrickia Daily 1 2-2 4; Colandria Haynes 1 1-4 3; JonNá McDonald 0 2-2 2; Shekenia Green 1 0-0 2; Velma Mitchell 2 10-12 15; KeeKee Nowlin 2 4-6 8; Jaylonn Walker 6 2-4 16; Ki'Anna Hall 0 0-2 0; Shankia Clark 2 4-5 8; Nadia Hayes 0 3-4 3; Anndrea Lloyd 3 1-1 7; Totals: 18 29-41 68.

3-pointers: Coastal Bend 7 (Washington 6, Atkinson-Roach 1), McLennan 3 (Walker 2, Mitchell 1); Total fouls: Coastal Bend 30, McLennan 24; Fouled out: Coastal Bend (Dixon, Hemphill), McLennan (Hayes); Halftime score: McLennan 34, Coastal Bend 27; Record: McLennan 2-0. The McLennan Highlassies and Highlanders closed out the 2017 edition of the McLennan Classic with dominating performances over their foes from Houston Community College.

McLennan 80, Houston 32
Houston: Brittaney Dale 2 0-0 4; Maddisen Turner 3 2-4 8; Jolia Spot 3 7-11 14; Briana Swain 2 0-0 4; Brittany Guitterez 1 0-0 2; Totals: 11 9-15 32.

McLennan: Jada Jennings 0 1-2 1; Colandria Haynes 0 3-4 3; Shekenia Green 1 0-0 2; Velma Mitchell 6 0-0 14; KeeKee Nowlin 3 2-4 8; Jaylonn Walker 4 2-2 14; Ki'Anna Hall 1 0-2 2; Raveen Blue 1 0-0 2; Shankia Clark 7 7-7 21; Nadia Hayes 3 2-2 8; Chiqueria Cook 2 1-2 5; Anndrea Lloyd 0 1-2 1; Totals: 28 19-27 80.

3-pointers: Houston 1 (Spot), McLennan 5 (Walker 3, Mitchell 2); Total fouls: Houston 23, McLennan 14; Fouled out: Houston (Dale); Halftime score: McLennan 38, Houston, 13; Record: McLennan 3-0.