Defense propels Kennett to 5-0

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Kennett's Jerica Wheeler (right) is fouled by a Portageville defender during Thursday's Bootheel Conference girls' basketball game at Kennett High School. [Click to enlarge]

Even though it is still early in the season, it is looking more and more like things may finally be coming full circle for the Kennett Lady Indians.

The Lady Tribe used a smothering defense to hold Portageville to nine first-half points as it took a 52-31 victory over the Lady Bulldogs Thursday night, its second victory in 10 days over one of its arch-nemeses.

With the win, Kennett improves to 5-0 on the season and 2-0 in the Bootheel Conference.

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Kennett's Sharika Walls (right) shoots in front of a Portageville defender on Thursday at Kennett. [Click to enlarge]

"We've started our season off well and being 2-0 in the league is indicative of that," Kennett coach Casey Bunting said. "We have a lot of competition to face this year and we will keep working on our game."

After going winless against the Lady Bulldogs the previous three seasons, Kennett has already recorded two 20-point victories against Portageville this year.

"Our freshman year didn't work out too well," said Kennett junior Alexandra Brown. "But we kept working hard. Two years have gone by and it's finally our turn."

As it has all season, the Lady Tribe's defense dominated, limiting Portageville to just three field goals in the first half.

"We pulled out of our zone defense and jumped into (man-to-man defense)," Bunting said. "This boosted the energy level of the game. I was pleased overall with our defense. Our girls are working hard and doing well with man D. We still have improvements to make but we are getting better at it."

The change worked. Kennett held the Lady Bulldogs scoreless over the final 5:49 of the opening period while building up a 16-2 lead, scoring the final 14 points of the first quarter.

"We've really been working on our man-to-man," Brown said. "It just helps our 2-3 (zone) even more."

After Portageville scored the first four points of the second quarter to cut the lead to 10, the Lady Tribe answered with a 10-0 run that was fueled by back-to-back 3-pointers from Jerica Wheeler and Veronica Amos to take a 26-6 lead.

The Lady 'Dawgs did not give up, however. Kennett pushed its lead to 38-14 on an Amos three-point play with 3:10 left in the third quarter, but Portageville answered with a 7-0 run of its own, closing the gap to 38-21 on a pair of Katelyn Kellams free throws with 7:54 left in the game.

From there however, the Lady Tribe answered with back-to-back baskets from Wheeler and Brown to push the lead back to 21 points (42-21) and quell the threat.

Wheeler led Kennett with 18 points on the night, while Amos chipped in 12 and Brittney Williams finished with nine.

"I was pleased with the performance of all the girls," said Bunting. "We've been focusing on the effort each girl puts into the game and tonight's effort from everyone was great."

Kaitlyn Nowlin led Portageville with 11 points.

Despite the strong start to the season, Kennett is not planning to shift to cruise control anytime soon.

"I'm proud of what the ladies have accomplished so far -- 2-0 in the league, 5-0 on the season and Gideon tourney champions," said Bunting. "I'm very proud of our big start, but we still have things to improve upon and build on. Our goal each day in practice and each game is to get better and develop more basketball skills."

Notes: In the junior varsity contest, Kennett won 34-21. Anna Kay Hilburn led the Lady Indians with 12 points, while Audrey Wynne added 10. ... Kennett hosts Hayti Monday before heading to Senath-Hornersville next Thursday for a crucial Bootheel Conference matchup with the Lady Lions.