Interesting stories emerging on hardwood

File photo by Mike Buhler
Kennett junior Jack Walls is one of eight Indians' basketball players that have scored in double figures in the team's four games this season.

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Even though few, if any, teams have played more than four or five games, some interesting stories have already started to emerge. Among some of the standout are:

The galloping Mustangs. Before the season, few observers expected the North Pemiscot Mustangs to make much noise. After all, the Mustangs had not had a winning season in five years and several key pieces from last year's team had graduated.

Guess again. North Pem is 5-0 after winning the Bulldog Classic last week in Gideon and has earned the top seed at next week's Campbell Christmas Classic.

"I think one of the main reasons for our success so far is the love for the game that many of my players have," North Pemiscot coach Tim Eskew said. "I've known these guys for four years and basketball is one of the most important parts of their lives. ... I think they expect to win, instead of hoping they don't lose."

The Mustangs' run to the title at Gideon was especially impressive. Seeded sixth out of eight teams at last week's Bulldog Classic in Gideon, North Pem started off by upsetting No. 3 Hayti, then took down second-seeded Gosnell, Ark. in the semifinals before rallying past No. 1 seed Caruthersville 59-57 in overtime in the title game.

Add to that a 90-80 win in the season opener against Neelyville and a 58-55 win over Delta C7 on Monday night, North Pem is looking like a leading contender to possibly win the Tri-County Conference and even a district title come March.

Eskew does have one regret, however.

"Too bad the role of underdog is over with," he said. "We kind of liked that part."

Surprising Tribe. The Kennett Indians have made steady improvement each year since coach Jim Vaughan took the reins of the program. However, with eight seniors departing after last season, some wondered if the Tribe might take a step back this year.

So far, it hasn't happened.

Kennett is just 2-2 on the season, but has already defeated defending Class 5A Arkansas state champion Greene County Tech and came close to upsetting Class 6A Jonesboro, Ark. on its home floor last week. Add a 20-point win over Caruthersville -- the Tigers have been seeded first in two tournaments already this season -- on Tuesday and this winter looks to be an exciting one for Kennett.

One of the keys for the Indians has been the return of Randrick Caruthers. After missing most of last season with what was originally thought to be a career-ending ailment, Caruthers has returned to the court this winter in dominating fashion, averaging nearly 17 points per game and emerging as a team leader.

"He's just one of those kids," Kennett coach Jim Vaughan told the DDD after Tuesday's game. "He's tough to guard. When he squares you up and he's got the ball in his hands, you're going to have to run somebody else at him. It's hard for any one person to stay in front of him."

But it hasn't been all Caruthers. Backcourt mate Fred Garmon has scored in double figures the last three games and overall, eight different players have scored in double figures this season for the Tribe. And with only two seniors on the active roster at the moment, the best may be yet to come in Kennett.

Don't forget the Lady Indians. Just two seasons ago, the Kennett Lady Indians struggled to win just four games in a season.

How times have changed. Kennett is 4-0 and has already won one tournament title this season -- and could win a lot more before it's over with.

With a core of young veterans -- juniors Jerica Wheeler and Alexandra Brown have started all three years of high school, while seniors Brittney Williams and Sharika Walls all started last year -- the Lady Tribe has established itself as perhaps the team to beat in the Bootheel Conference after a 63-54 win over Senath-Hornersville in the finals of the Bulldog Classic last weekend.

Kennett is also primed to make some noise in the Class 3, District 1 Tournament come March. In addition to returning most of last season's 16-8 squad, the Lady Tribe is also hosting the district tournament. Could homecourt advantage help give Kennett its first district title in over a decade?

Mike Buhler is the sports editor of the Daily Dunklin Democrat. Contact him at mbuhler@dddnews.com