Longhorns hold off Jackson to clench state tourney berth

LIVINGSTON — Marengo Academy (12-11) punched its ticket to round two of the AISA 1A Region 2 Tournament as well as next week’s AISA 1A State Tournament with a 50-38 win over Jackson Academy Thursday.

The Longhorns opened the game with a 15-11 first quarter before pulling away with a 13-6 second quarter. The Longhorns stretched the 11-point halftime lead early in the third before Jackson Academy began to chip away.

MA led by as many as 16 before Jackson whittled the deficit down to seven points midway through the fourth quarter.

The offensive rebounding of Cason Cook and Anthony Antonelli helped Hayden Huckabee restore order. In the game’s closing minutes the Longhorns’ post duo kept possessions alive and allowed Huckabee’s shot-making ability to show through on second-chance buckets.

Huckabee helped the Longhorns stretch the lead back to double digits as MA put the game away at the free throw line.

Huckabee finished with a game high 19 points. Shade Pritchett added 12 points for the Longhorns. Carson Huckabee contributed seven points.

Colby Lucas scored 14 points to lead Jackson Academy while Peyton Wilson added in nine in the loss.

Marengo Academy is set to play Sparta Academy at 3:30 p.m. Friday on the campus of the University of West Alabama. That game will follow the Lady Longhorns’ 2 p.m. showdown with Meadowview Christian.