Lady Longhorns get to 21-0, clinch state tourney berth

BUTLER — Marengo Academy’s Lady Longhorns locked up Class A, Region 2, Area 2 Thursday night while also earning a first-round bye in next week’s area tournament and clinching a spot at the AISA state tournament.

Marengo Academy (21-0) shut down Patrician in the second half to take a dominating 68-28 road victory over the No. 2 team in the area.

Marengo started the game hot and then saw Patrician make a run before coach Danny Stenz could get a timeout called and make an adjustment.

“We jumped out 20-9 and they made a run and made it 20-18 and then we went on a 17-4 run right before halftime,” Stenz said.

The Lady Longhorns ended the game on a 48-18 run, holding Patrician to two points in the third quarter and only four in the game’s final frame.

“We clamped down on them in the second half. Our defense created our offense. We were getting easy basket after easy basket,” Stenz said. “We made some good passes and good cuts during those runs.

Chandler Stenz led the way with 19 points. Brooke Smyly add 16. Conner Etheridge finished with 12 points while Anna Michael Crocker scored 11. Andrea Edmonds had eight points while Hannah Freeman rounded out the scoring with two points off the bench.

The Lady Longhorns are set to play again Monday night when they host Tuscaloosa Academy for the school’s Senior Night.

MA will have a bye for next Thursday’s first round of the region tournament and open Region 2 bracket play next Friday.