Region 6 men’s basketball began on Saturday with four teams and at the finish of the night there are four left for the semi-finals on Tuesday night. West Carroll hosted Wayne Co. and came away with a win outscoring Wayne Co. 59 to 37. Huntingdon hosted Perry Co. and they also won by a score of 79 to 60. West Carroll will host Summertown on Tuesday night and Huntingdon will travel to Loretto for action. The McKenzie Rebels and the Hollow Rock Bruceton Tigers didn’t fare as well loosing to Summertown and Loretto respectively. Central lost to Loretto 62 to 46.
The McKenzie Rebels fell to Summertown, but not without a fight, taking the game into overtime after trailing by 10 after the first quarter 23-10. It didn’t look good at first, but the Rebels fought back with Johnathan Moore tossing in four three-point shots and another basket before the end of the half and with the help of his teammates trailed by two points 35 to 37 at halftime. Hot shooting of the Rebels with Eli Surber, Moore, and Marquez Taylor all throwing in threes in the third and a defense creating turnovers, saw the Rebels take a lead at the end of three 48-47. Both teams would have a chance with the game tied to take the last shot in the final seconds, but the Rebels would turn the ball over and Summertown could not convert so the score ended at regulation 56 all and brought on an overtime period.
The extra four minutes ended up being the killer for the Rebels as they were held to a lone three pointer by senior Eli Surber while Gavin Burleson, one of three Burleson brothers who started the game, kicked in a three pointer and 4 free throws and teammate Skyler Trousdale would also nail a three. With a final score of 69 – 59, the Rebel season comes to an end.
The Rebels were led in scoring by the three seniors: Johathan Moore with 21 points, Bryson steel had 15 and Eli Surber had 9. Caleb Gil and Marquez Taylor both had 7. The Rebels only shot three free throws for the game. The hit on nine three-point shots but were matched by the Eagles of Summertown who hit nine as well. Summertown went to the free throw line 16 times and made half of those.
Score by quarters: 1st 2nd 3rd 4th OT
McKenzie 13 35 48 56 69
Summertown 23 37 47 56 59
Photo: Bryson Steele working under the basket for 2 of his 15 points. (David Jackson photo).