MJCA takes two from Merrol Hyde

Mt. Juliet Christian swept a TSSAA Hall of Champions double header from Merrol Hyde on Friday as the Lady Saints marched to a 50-30 win and the boys a 50-42 triumph.

The Lady Saints led 16-2 following the first quarter and 31-11 at halftime as they won their second Hall game of the week.

Jessica Melvin's 19 points paced Mt. Juliet Christian while Lynnze Ethridge added 12 and Shelby Leech 11. Allison Mahabir finished with four and Amanda Wall and Lauren Wankel two each.

Anna Lewis led Merrol Hyde with 15 points while Annika Coley connected on three 3-pointers on her way to 13.

Mt. Juliet Christian's boys fell behind 17-4 in the first quarter before the Saints rallied to within 23-17 by halftime. The took a 33-31 advantage going into the fourth and pulled away to their second win of the four-day old season.

"We started off very sloppy," veteran Saints coach Paul Christensen said. "Our execution was poor and our shots were not falling. I also felt that we did not give enough respect to our opponent until they made us respect them.

"Ultimately, great senior leadership and a big game from Brandon Wall was the key in pulling it back together for the win."

Wall sank four threes on his way to 15 while Sam Mummert fired in two triples en route to 14. Big Ben Wankel powered in 12, Zach Pollock six and Trevor West three.