Scotlandville, Ja’Vonte Smart use free throws to whip McKinley, 58-42

LAKE CHARLES – Good teams take advantage of their opportunities. Outstanding teams take full advantage.

Against an aggressive defense from McKinley, defending state champion and top-seed Scotlandville got to the free throw line early and often Thursday and capitalized to the fullest in a solid 58-42 victory over McKinley in the Division I semifinals at Burton Coliseum.

LSU signee Ja’Vonte Smart pumped in 32 points to pace the Hornets. Smart was 16-of-18 from the free throw line and had four 3-pointers. Scotlandville was brilliant from the line, going 25-of-29 (86%).

That was the difference in the game as Scotlandville outscored McKinley 25-8 from the charity stripe. The Panthers were 8-for-9 from the line.

Smart hit a 27-footer to start the game, just five seconds in and the Hornets opened the game on a 5-0 run, with all points coming from Smart. The Panthers responded with a 7-0 run and took a 10-8 lead by the end of the quarter.

The Hornets took control in the second quarter, going on an 11-0 run and led 21-14 at the half. Smart led the way with eight points in the half while Tai’Reon Joseph had six. Both teams shot poorly, with Scotlandville going 6-of-23 (26%) while McKinley was 6-of-26 (23%).

Scotlandville (29-5) controlled the third quarter as well, outscoring McKinley 17-7 to take a 38-21 lead going into the final frame. Smart had 10 points in the quarter while Reece Beekman added seven.

The Hornets closed it out in the final quarter by sinking 15-of-17 free throws. Smart made his last 15 free throws.

Reece Beekman scored 13 points, including 11 in the second half for the Hornets. Tyrece Radford topped McKinley (20-13) with 15 points and 10 rebounds while Damien Mitchell added 10 points.

It was the second win for the Hornets over the Panthers this season. Scotlandville defeated McKinley 57-37 on Dec. 29.

The Hornets advance to face the winner of the St. Paul’s-Catholic of Baton Rouge contest Saturday at 6 p.m.

Final
SHS 8 13 17 20 58
MCK 10 4 7 21 42

Scoring
SHS—Ja’Vonte Smart 32, Reece Beekman 13, Tai’Ron Joseph 7, David Thomas III 4, Da’Vyon Smart 2

MCK—Tyrece Radford 15, Damien Mitchell 10, Keshawn Leatherman 6, Fredrick Carr 3, Daunte Jackson 4, Marcus Coleman 2

Rebounds
SHS 30, MCK 35

Turnovers
SHS 6, MCK 9