Marengo Academy holds off late Cornerstone charge

MONTGOMERY — Marengo Academy (15-11) held off a late surge by the Cornerstone Christian Chargers Wednesday afternoon to snag a 58-55 win and advance through the AISA Class A Elite Eight.

The Longhorns carried a 35-17 lead into the half but watched the Chargers’ shots start falling in the game’s final 16 minutes. Cornerstone used its pressure defense and the rebounding prowess of Griffin Moore to fuel its comeback attempt.

Cornerstone sliced the deficit to 44-31 by the end of the third quarter and went on a tear in the fourth frame.

The Chargers got a steal and a bucket by Dustin Wooley to slice the Longhorn lead to 54-53 with only 1:37 to play in the contest.

Hayden Huckabee fought through a double team and dished off to older brother Carson Huckabee who nailed a turnaround bank shot to up the advantage to 56-53. With 42.7 to play, Anthony Antonelli sank a free throw to put the Longhorn lead at 57-53.

Moore went back to work on the ensuing possession with a baseline drive that pulled the Chargers to within two at 57=55 with only 9.3 to play.

Hayden Huckabee’s free throw made it 58-55 with 8.5 to play before the Chargers air-balled a free throw attempt to seal their fate.

Carson Huckabee led all scorers with 21 points and five rebounds. Hayden Huckabee added 13 points, six assists and three steals. Shade Pritchett scored 11 points and dished out six assists. Cason Cook finished with eight points, 11 rebounds, four steals and three blocks.

Moore led Cornerstone with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Wooley had 16 points, eight steals and seven rebounds. Najar Williams and Lee Mooney each had nine points for the Chargers.

Marengo Academy moves on to the Final Four Wednesday Feb. 12 where they will play at 10:30 a.m. against the winner of Lakeside and Meadowview.