The McLennan Highlanders crushed the Community Christian Spartans 88-55 in the opener of the 2025-26 season.
It was all Highlanders from the opening tip. Howard Gaskins Jr. and Julian Cullier both went 1-2 from the free throw line less than 30 seconds into the game to start the squad's 13-0 run. McLennan held the Community Christian scoreless for over seven minutes of play before the Spartan's Jamari Alexander got his own rebound on a missed jumper and score the put-back basket. A four-point play by Joseph Brooks Jr. on a 3-pointer and free throw put the Highlanders up 28-7 with 8:45 to go in the first half. McLennan led by as many as 23 down the stretch and led 46-28 at the break.
Community Christian found a spark in the second half, cutting the Highlanders' lead to 13 a couple times. McLennan led 53-40 with 13:49 remaining in the game and pulled away with a 10-0 run over the next two minutes and held on for the lop-sided victory.
Gaskins Jr. led the Highlanders with 18 points. Brooks Jr. and Aiden Law scored 12 and 11, respectively.
Community Christian: Julian Colorado 9 1-1 19; Jamari Alexander 2 3-7 8; Darius Davis 2 0-0 5; Gabe Banks 3 3-7 9; Amari Carter 3 5-8 11; Ryann Garcia 1 0-0 2. Totals: 20 13-25 55.
McLennan: Julian Cuillier 1 1-1 4; Aiden Law 4 1-1 11; Kardae Turner 1 0-0 2; Amare Banks 3 0-0 6; Joseph Brooks Jr. 4 3-3 12; Austin Omondi 4 0-0 8; Avion Jackson 2 0-0 5; Timi Ibikunle 4 0-0 8; Habeeb Yusuf 1 -0 2; Howard Gaskins Jr. 7 4-6 18; Joe Burgess 4 0-0 8; Maximilian Blank 2 0-0 4; Totals: 37 9-11 88.
Halftime score: McLennan 46, Community Christian 28; 3-pointers: Community Christian 2 (Cromin 2, Davis 1); McLennan 5 (Law 2, Cuillier 1, Brooks Jr. 1, Jackson 1); Total fouls: Community Christian 14; McLennan 22; Record: McLennan 1-0.
Next up: Fort Sam Houston, 6 p.m. Saturday at The Highlands
