MIDDLEBURG – Prior to their much-anticipated district clash with Nease High School, the Middleburg High girls basketball fans celebrated 1,000 points from senior Mallory Roney, albeit a bit late.

Roney, with 1,670 points to date, surpassed the coveted 1,000 point mark last November, was feted with flowers and a game ball.

Nease High’s basketball lineup respectfully clapped then proceeded to show off their scoring prowess with three scorers in double digits as the Panthers (10-0, 4-0) trounced the Broncos 77-37 on Friday night in front of the Middleburg High fan base. Middleburg falls to 9-2, 4-1 in district 3-7A as both teams distanced themselves as the top two teams in the district with Ed White at 4-5, 2-3.

Roney did lead the Broncos for the night with a dismal 12 points as the Panthers got 25 points for senior center Constance Hobby, 20 points from guard Kiya Turner and 10 points from guard Tia Robinson, a Fleming Island High transfer now with Nease.

Roney was the lone Bronco with double figures as junior Britany Range was held to six points and center Skylar Baltezegar was held scoreless against Hobby.

The Broncos held pace through the first quarter, led 18-17 by Nease, with Roney opening with the first four points of the night and guard Jamyah Harkins nailing a three-pointer to put Middleburg up 13-11 quickly.

In the second quarter, Nease, a region finalist last year, ignited to a 9-1 scoring spree with Harkins finally hitting a layup to score the game 27-19 with 3:34 to the half.

Nease exploded for another run; this time 11-3 to end the half up 40-22 with Harkins pumping in another three pointer as the half ended.

Nease continued their high-pressure game to offset the Broncos attempt at the same strategy as both teams attacked with fervor on defense, but Nease the top scorer as the third quarter ended 59-31 on the way to the final 77-37.

Range and Harkins both ended with two steals and three assists with Mar’ria Davis snagging a team-high nine rebounds.

Middleburg continues with an away district game at Ed White on Tues., Dec. 18 before heading to Orlando for the Florida Prospects Christmas tournament Dec. 27-29 featuring teams from around the nation.

The Broncos return home and will travel to Nease on January 15.