Lady Rattlers hang tough, come up short versus McKeel Academy 40-33

Belleview’s Laniyah Johnson (24) drives to the hoop as she is defended by McKeel Academy’s Morgan Daniels (24) during a basketball game at Belleview High School in Belleview, Fla. on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2021.

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Posted December 17, 2021 | By Joel Bronson

joel@ocalagazette.com

In the first game of the Pasta Faire Shootout on Friday afternoon, host Belleview lost to McKeel Academy Wildcats 40-33.

The game was set to match two players who average over 20 points per game in Belleview senior guard Laniya Johnson and McKeel’s eighth grade forward Serenity Hardy.

Hardy found herself in early foul trouble and missed much of the first half, while Johnson found it difficult to score on a stingy McKeel defense.

The first half was a low scoring affair with McKeel leading 15-13. But the Lady Wildcats came out fast in the third quarter with a 12-2 run to put them comfortably in the lead 27-15.

Belleview would make a 7-2 run to close the gap to 29-26 mid way through the fourth quarter. Johnson scored five of her 9 points in the fourth to pull the Lady Rattlers to within three with 2:37 left.

Hardy would come to life in the fourth, scoring 6 points of her own while registering three assists to pad the McKeel lead to 6 with 1:08 left in the fourth.

Lady Rattlers junior forward Zakiya Scruggs scored 8 points and grabbed a game high 11 rebounds in the loss.

McKeel sophomore guard Skyelar Smith chipped in 10 points in the victory.

Belleview head coach Gary Greer was proud of his team’s effort in the loss.

“We had a terrible night shooting,” Greer said. “Despite the tough loss, we hope to shake it off and come back strong tomorrow.”

“We are excited to have played a great opponent,” he added.

With the loss, Belleview sits at 6-4 on the season. The Lady Rattlers will play twice on Saturday; first against Umatilla at 9:30 a.m., and again at 4:30 p.m. against in-county rival Forest.

McKeel moves to 8-2 with the win and will also play twice on Saturday. McKeel takes on Forest High at 12:30 p.m. and Trinity Catholic at 5:45 p.m.