Tribe on both ends of come-from-behind wins

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Kennett's Brandon Meek (left) drives the baseline against Caruthersville's Jamal Johnson during Tuesday's eighth-grade boys' basketball game at Kennett Middle School. [Click to enlarge]

The Kennett Indians were on both ends of come-from-behind victories on Tuesday night against the Caruthersville Tigers.

The Tribe rallied from a nine-point halftime deficit to take a 32-30 win over Caruthersville in the seventh-grade game, while the Tigers scored the last 15 points in a 43-30 win over the eighth-grade squad at Kennett Middle School.

Down 22-13 at the half, Kennett shut out the Tigers in the third quarter and scored 11 points to take a 24-22 lead entering the final period, then held on down the stretch to seal the victory -- the second night in a row the Indians won with a dominant second-half performance.

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Kennett's Devin Jones (center) is defended by Caruthersville's Keith Rodgers (12) and Daryl Monroe during Tuesday's eighth-grade boys' basketball game. [Click to enlarge]

Bud Hilburn scored 14 points -- nine in the second half -- to lead a balanced attack, while Landon Vaughn added five for the Tribe.

Antonio Rodgers paced Caruthersville with 11 points.

In the eighth-grade contest, Kennett overcame a 17-11 halftime deficit to take a 30-28 lead in the fourth quarter, but the Tigers closed the game on a 15-0 run to get their own come-from-behind win.

Daryl Monroe scored a game-high 20 points -- 14 of those in the second half -- to lead Caruthersville.

Brandon Meek scored 11 to pace the Tribe, while Antavies Drake added nine and Kevonte Mitchell finished with six.

The boys are off until next Tuesday when they host Hayti.

Girls split at Dexter
It was a mixed night for the Kennett Lady Indians in junior-high basketball at Dexter.

The seventh-grade squad shook off a slow start to down the Lady Bearcats 24-16, while the eighth-graders lost 56-6 to Dexter.

In the seventh-grade game, Kennett outscored the Lady 'Cats 12-5 in the second period take a 14-11 lead to the break, and led 19-13 after three periods.

Kate Shetley led the Lady Indians with eight points, while Kenna Hounihan added six.

In the eighth-grade, Dexter simply dominated, leading 16-0 after one quarter and 34-0 at the break as four Lady Bearcats were in double figures.

Lara Abmeyer scored four points to pace Kennett.

The Lady Tribe hosts Caruthersville on Thursday.