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Kennett's Tina Howard (center) battles with Caruthersville players for a rebound during Monday's Bootheel Conference girls basketball game at Caruthersville.
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My, how times have changed.
The Lady Tribe used a smothering defense to open a huge lead and never look back in a 51-20 rout of the Caruthersville Lady Tigers in Bootheel Conference play here Monday.
"I was pleased to win our first conference game," said Kennett coach Casey Bunting. "It wasn't too awfully long ago that these early games did not favor us. We've worked hard the past few years and I feel like things are beginning to come full circle and pay off."
Fresh off of winning the Bulldog Classic, Kennett (4-0, 1-0 Bootheel) showed no signs of letting up Monday night.
"We've had a great start to the year this year," Bunting said. "Winning the Bulldog Classic helped to boost everyone's confidence and remind the girls what we've been working for."
Kennett turned in one of its best first-half defensive performances in recent memory, holding the Lady Tigers without a field goal until the third quarter to take a 32-3 lead to the locker room.
"We've always played zone but (man-to-man) defense has been a goal of ours," said Bunting. "We'd like to put more man D in as the season progresses. Tonight we were able to work on our man defense a lot -- and we did well with it."
The Lady Tribe also got balanced scoring on the night as almost everyone on the roster got in the scoring column and six had five or more points.
"Each game has provided the opportunity to play everyone on the team," Bunting said. "Our team chemistry is outstanding this year, the girls get along and have fun on and off the court. We have girls ready and waiting to come off the bench and they all work well together. Tonight 10 girls scored -- it is great to be able to spread the scoring out throughout the team."
Kennett hosts South Pemiscot tonight at 6 p.m. in a varsity-only contest.