Perfect homestand: Lady Tribe sweeps Malden to cap undefeated week

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Kennett's Kailan Whitfield (left) looks to make a move against Malden's Randi Walker during Wednesday's eighth-grade girls basketball game at Kennett Middle School. [Click to enlarge]

The Kennett Lady Indians used their trademark defense to hold their opponents under 10 points a game as they swept a junior high basketball doubleheader from the Malden Lady Wave Wednesday at Kennett Middle School.

The twinbill sweep was the second in as many days for Kennett, who also took a pair from Portageville on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, the eighth-grade squad won 22-8, while the seventh-graders won 24-7.

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Kennett's Maddie Wood (42) drives down the court as Malden's Kenya McCoy pursures during Wednesday's eighth-grade basketball game at Kennett Middle School. [Click to enlarge]

In the eighth-grade game, the Lady Tribe outscored Malden 10-3 in the second period to overcome a slow start and lead by eight at the half, then added a 9-3 advantage in the final period to seal the game.

Darby Sparks and Kelsey Washburn each scored 10 points to pace Kennett.

Randi Walker scored six points on a pair of 3-pointers for the Lady Wave.

In the seventh-grade contest, the Lady Indians and Malden were tied at 6-all after the first period, but Kennett tightened up on defense to allow zero field goals the rest of the way.

The Lady Tribe led 11-6 at the break and 20-7 entering the final period.

Logan Vaughan led all scorers with 12 points, while Kate Shetley added six for Kennett.

Faith Hale paced the Lady Wave with five points.

The Lady Tribe will host South Pemiscot on Monday afternoon, which is when Kennett's junior high boys will also open their season.