McLeod basketball competes in Miller Grove tourney

By Tim Emmons
temmons@casscountynow.com

McLeod’s varsity boys’ basketball squad rolled into the Miller Grove Tournament on Dec. 1, with a 4-0 record, but faced some tough opposition on day one of the tourney.
In game one McLeod faced Yantis.
The first period was a close one as the Fighting Owls edged the Longhorns 9-8, but the second quarter was a decisive factor in Yantis’ 49-38 victory.
The Owls drummed up 22 points while holding McLeod to just three and Yantis enjoyed a 21-11 halftime lead.
The ’Horns outscored Yantis 27-18 in the second half, but the comeback bid faded with the clock ending the game.
J.R. Smith scored a team-high 19 points; Colby Smith added 11 and Zach Prince put in four points.
In the second game McLeod was pitted against the No. 22 team in the state as they faced off against the Campbell Indians.
The two halves between the teams were telling.
Campbell finished the first quarter ahead 21-9 and went into the break up 51-27.
Down by 24, Coach Steven Lambeth’s halftime oration must have been a motivational tool which fueled the Longhorns in the second half.
McLeod outscored Campbell 35-23 but fell short 74-62 against another tough opponent.
Colby had 24 points, J.R. added 22, Prince poured in nine and Ryan Anderson recorded five.
The next day the Longhorns bested defending state champion Avinger 58-30.
McLeod led the Indians 33-7 at halftime. Colby had 17 points, J.R. had 15, Prince and Blake Williams added eight apiece and Dagan Kenner posted five.
The Longhorns then played tourney host Miller Grove.
The first quarter was close as McLeod took a 16-12 lead into the second quarter, but a 20-7 run for McLeod put them up 36-19 at the break.
Miller Grove outscored McLeod 31-25 in the second half but it wasn’t enough as the ’Horns rolled to a 61-50 victory.
Colby had 21 points, J.R. had 18, Prince had nine and Anderson added seven.
In the final game of the tourney for McLeod the Longhorns faced off against a familiar foe in Saltillo.
The Longhorns clung to an 11-9 lead going into the second quarter, but a 17-2 run put them up 28-11 at the half. 
The ’Horns ended up routing Saltillo 62-31 which drove their record to 7-2 on the season.
J.R. put up 21 points, Colby had 14, Prince poured in 13 and Keener posted six.