Lady Longhorns down Crockett, enter Christmas break on win streak

The Johnson County girls basketball team extended its winning streak to four games with a 52-42 win at David Crockett on Dec. 16. Junior guard Mackenzie McClain tallied 21 points, four steals and three assists and sophomore wing Audrey Shaw stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, eight rebounds, five steals and three blocked shots for the Longhorns (4-8). Johnson County trailed by two at the half. "We didn't play well the first half," Johnson County coach Mark McClain said. "We didn't shoot it real well in the first half, but we did enough to kind of hang around and hang around. In the second half we kind of got hot and started making some shots, and we went on a pretty good run. Kenzie played pretty well. Audrey played pretty well." The Longhorns also got seven rebounds from Izzy Thompson and six rebounds and three steals from Ella Icenhour. Abby Dickens made two 3-pointers. "We're starting to get to the point where I thought we might be three or four weeks ago," McClain said. "But people are learning their roles and we're a little smarter about the shots that we're taking and not just forcing shots. Abby made a big three for us there in the second half." An 0-8 start to the season didn't create dissension in the ranks. "We just were not playing real well," McClain said. "But I'll have to say this: the girls didn't panic, didn't quit. If anything I've been impressed with the extra time they're trying to get in the gym to work on shooting and offense and some different things. "It's been a turnaround, but the girls have done it. They've just kind of set their minds to it." Point guard Kayleigh Doner had a big game for David Crockett, but McClain was pleased with how his 'Horns defended Pioneers post Autumn Wynn. "I thought our two posts, C.J. (Lipford) and Ella, did a good job on their big girl," McClain said. "We played a little 2-3 zone and tried to pack it in on everybody except Doner, and I thought the girls did a really good job. They frustrated her a little bit there in the second half. She got in a little foul trouble. "And then she stepped out and, I think, made a 'three' or two. But I was tickled with C.J. and Ella's effort guarding her." As far as the Longhorns' offense, shots seem to be getting launched when they're presenting themselves. "Nobody's really trying to do too much," McClain said. "Everybody's bought into their role; they take pride in it. We've settled on a pretty good substitution rotation. The kids pretty much know when they're getting a break. In all four games, somebody different has had a pretty good night. "Izzy's had a couple of good games. Ella's had a game or two where she's been in double figures. C.J.'s coming along offensively. … Seeing how they've bought into their roles is special." Johnson County was scheduled to play in a Christmas tournament in Myrtle Beach, but a coaching change led to the tournament's cancellation this fall. The Lady Longhorns' next game is against Virginia High at home Jan. 5.