The McLennan Highlanders crushed the Collin Cougars this afternoon at The Highlands to remain perfect in North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference play.
Collin controlled the opening tip but it was all McLennan from that point forward. The Highlanders opened the game on a 9-0 run capped with a 3-pointer from the top of the key by Ari Gooch. Collin finally got on the board a with Vladislav Karasev basket more than three minutes into the game. A steal and layup by the Cougars' Vinny Sigona cut it back to a five-point Highlander lead, 9-4, with 16:27 to play in the first half. McLennan responded with a banked jumper of the glass by Joseph Mayberry followed by a steal and slam dunk by Evan Chatman, 13-4. The Highlanders extended the lead to 13, 21-8 with just over 12 minutes to go. The Cougars made a small rally, pulling within seven a couple times but the Highlanders were just too much for them to handle. Gooch, Chatman and Rontavious Blackshear combined to lead McLennan to a 46-23 halftime advantage.
The second half was much the same. Collin made a run midway through the half to pull within 12 at 60-48 but that was all it could muster. The Highlanders continued to dominate and cruise to the lop-sided win.
Gooch led McLennan with 31 points, and Blackshear added 20. Chatman and Mayberry scored 13 and 12, respectively, and Frederick Rogers III added 11.
Collin: Garrett Falls 2 5-8 9; Vinny Sigona 8 1-1 22; Brady Kennison 0 2-2 2; Fabian Pommells 1 0-0 2; Charlie Hatch 1 0-0 3; Tim Mikhailov 1 0-0 3; Jacob Stewart 1 0-0 2; David Emelife 2 5-6 9; Vladislav Karasev 2 2-2 6; Geancarlo Peguero 2 5-6 10; Lucciano Basile 0 -0 0; Totals: 19 20-25 66.
McLennan: Rontavious Blackshear 7 1-1 20; Joseph Mayberry 4 4-4 12; Kardae Turner 1 0-0 2; Amare Banks 2 0-0 4; Ari Gooch 10 6-8 31; Keegan Rowell 0 0-0 0; Evan Chatman 5 3-3 13; John McQueen 0 0-0 0; Frederick Rogers, III 4 3-5 11; John Ateny 1 0-0 2; Totals: 34 17-21 95.
Halftime score: McLennan 46, Collin 23; 3-pointers: Collin 8 (Sigona 5, Hatch 1, Mikhailov 1, Peguero 1), McLennan 10 (Mayberry 5, Gooch 5); Total fouls: Collin 18, McLennan 20; Fouled out: Karasev (McLennan); Record: McLennan 17-3 (4-0).
