On Tuesday, January 21, the McKinney Christian Academy Mustangs traveled to Tyler to face the Tyler All Saints Trojans in the final game of the first round of district play.
The game began as a back-and-forth battle, with the Trojans forcing the Mustangs to take an early timeout as they clung to an 8-6 lead. In the huddle, Head coach Fonzo Martinez challenged his team to elevate their effort, intensity and communication. The Mustangs responded emphatically, going on a 10-2 run and forcing the Trojans' head coach to call a timeout of his own. Senior guard John Clark set the tone early, scoring 11 points in the first quarter to help the Mustangs finish the period with a commanding 25-12 lead.
The Mustangs' defensive intensity only grew stronger in the second quarter, holding the Trojans to just eight points. On the offensive end, the Mustangs executed with precision, moving the ball fluidly and finding open looks. Senior guard Jace Scott found his rhythm early, pouring in 15 first-half points, including three three-pointers. With their stellar play on both ends of the court, the Mustangs entered halftime with a dominant 43-20 lead.
At halftime, assistant coach Nathan Hamilton offered a pointed reminder: "Do what got you the lead. Do not let the score tempt you into creating bad habits. Instead, continue doing the things that built this lead."
The Mustangs took this advice to heart. In the third quarter, they continued to execute their offense with energy and precision, scoring 23 points. On defense, they remained relentless, holding the Trojans to just four made field goals and four free throws. The pace of play clearly favored the Mustangs, who showcased their depth, cohesion and commitment to the game plan.
When the final buzzer sounded, the Mustangs walked away with an 82-43 victory, pushing their district record to a perfect 4-0. Clark led all scorers with 24 points, while Scott added 17 points, including four three-pointers. Junior guard Emmanuel Weaver contributed 14 points to round out the Mustangs' top scorers.
As the Mustangs enter the second round of district play atop the standings. "This brotherhood is really special. We are grateful for what the Lord is doing through this group," reflected Coach Venible.
The Mustangs now turn their focus to Snowfest Day this Friday, January 24, when they will host Dallas Christian at 7:30 PM to cap off Wild Week.
