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The Huntland High School Lady Hornets lost to the McKenzie Lady Rebels 67-57 at Bethel University Saturday in a sub-state game with a spot in the Class A state tournament on the line.

Facing the defending Class A state champions, the Lady Hornets rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to make it a one-point game early in the fourth quarter, but the Lady Rebels pulled back ahead by double digits late to end Huntland’s season.

There were four ties and four lead changes in the opening period as the teams battled back and forth early in the contest.

The last two lead changes for the first quarter happened in the final 20 seconds as a go-ahead layup by Logan McLennan with 18 seconds to go was countered by a 3-pointer from the Lady Rebels with about five seconds remaining to put the Lady Hornets behind early.

Huntland trailed 20-18 after one quarter. McLennan scored 10 of Huntland’s 18 points in the first quarter.

The Lady Hornets scored the first eight points of the second quarter to take what would be their largest lead of the day at six points, but the Lady Rebels responded with a lengthy 20-2 run to pull ahead by double digits.

Huntland trailed 43-33 at halftime.

The Lady Hornets scored the last seven points of the third quarter as they chipped the deficit down to just three points going into the final period.

They trailed 50-47 after three quarters.

A layup by McLennan to start the fourth quarter brought the Lady Hornets to within a single point of the lead, but the Lady Rebels then went on a 13-4 run to make it a 10-point game again, and the Lady Hornets weren’t able to mount another comeback in the time remaining as they lost by 10.

McLennan led the Lady Hornets with 21 points for the game, followed by Jocy May with 10 points and Ashtyn Danley with nine.

Yareli Avalos scored eight points, Morgan Sanders scored five and Aysia Williams scored four.

With the loss, the Lady Hornets finished their season with a record of 23-13.