Lady Longhorns hold off Patrician to win region

LIVINGSTON — Marengo Academy (24-0) held off a valiant Patrician team Saturday to win the AISA Class A Region 2 championship with a 48-40 victory.

Patrician came out of a 26-26 halftime tie with a 7-0 run to take a 33-26 lead in the third quarter. Anna Michael Crocker pulled Marengo back into it with a 6-0 run of her own to cut the deficit to 33-32.

Andrea Edmonds gave the Lady Longhorns the lead with a rebound and put-back for a 34-33 MA advantage. Brooke Smyly added to that lead with a runner to make it 36-33 with 6:57 to go in the game.

Marengo clamped down and allowed only seven points the remainder of the contest as Chandler Stenz iced the game late with a string of free throws.

Patrician opened the game with a flurry, but Stenz pulled her team out of the hole with a quick four-point spurt to end the first quarter and put MA up 15-14 after one quarter of play.

Stenz scored 10 of her 14 points from the free throw line in the game. Edmonds ended with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Smyly had 10 points and 12 rebounds while Crocker contributed 10 points and four steals.

George led Patrician with 15 points and seven rebounds. Kelsey Lewis had 13 points for PA while Tyler Armistead grabbed 12 rebounds.

Stenz and Edmonds earned All-Tournament honors for Marengo while Smyly took home Most Valuable Player honors.

The win means Marengo will enter next week’s state tournament as the No. 1 seed from Region 2.