Lady Tribe rolls to another big victory

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Kennett's Whitney Callaway (left) eyes the basket as she is guarded by Hayti's Bridget Thomas during Monday's girls basketball game at Kennett High School. [Click to enlarge]

Not that the Lady Tribe is complaining.

"6-0 is great," Kennett coach Casey Bunting said. "I'm very proud of the ladies and what they are accomplishing. Each day in practice and each game they work hard to improve skills and improve as a team."

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Kennett's Alexandra Brown (left) shoots as Hayti's Shardae Clay goes for the block during Monday's girls basketball game at Kennett High School. [Click to enlarge]

That hard work and improvement showed Monday night, as the Lady Tribe scored the game's first 33 points and held Hayti scoreless for most of the first half in a 65-7 win at Kennett High School.

In six games this season, Kennett (6-0) has held opponents to just 23.5 points per game and has mercy-ruled (won by 30 or more points) four of its six opponents.

"In practice we work hard," Kennett guard Jerica Wheeler said. "Every day we get after it because we desire to have a big season this year. Everybody on the team, 24-7, on the court and off -- we want to make everybody better and we want to win.

In a season of dominating defensive performances, Monday's might have been the best.

"I will compliment the girls and their defense," said Bunting. "I could harp on defense all day -- we spend a lot of time on it -- and the girls are learning to love every aspect of defense."

That love showed Monday night. Not until Bridget Thomas hit a basket with a little over two minutes left in the second period did Hayti get on the scoreboard. By then, the Lady Indians led 33-2.

"Our defense is much better than last year," Kennett center Caroline Shetley said. "We have improved dramatically. It feels good to win."

Kennett did not let up in the second half, either. After Jermika Covington hit a bucket early in the second half, the Lady Tribe did not allow Hayti to score the rest of the night, closing the game on a 28-0 run.

"Our defense tonight was pretty (strong)," said Wheeler. We want to get out and work hard in the games."

Veronica Amos, Brittney Williams and Alexandra Brown each scored 11 points to pace the Lady Tribe offense Monday, while Shetley recorded a double-double with 10 points and 16 rebounds.

"I got to play a lot," said Shetley. "I scored and rebounded. I was pretty happy with how I played."

Brown also pulled down eight boards while Williams collected seven, Amos hauled in five and Whitney Callaway ended up with four boards.

Wheeler finished with two points, but dished off seven assists and recorded three steals.

Kennett is in action again on Thursday when it travels to Senath-Hornersville to take on the Lady Lions in a key Bootheel Conference matchup. The Lady Tribe defeated Senath-Hornersville 63-54 on December 5 in the finals of the Bulldog Classic, Kennett's closest game of the season and a much closer game than the final score indicates.

"I'm sure the Senath game will be exciting -- they are a sound ball club and can shoot the ball well," Bunting said. "One good thing about Senath is that both teams can be competitors on the court and friends off the court. The rivalry is old and strong and fun and the athletes and fans enjoy it."