Tribe speeds past Twin Rivers

Staff photo by Mike Buhler Kennett's Fred "Boonie" Garmon (left) drives in for a basket against Twin Rivers during the second half of Tuesday's high school basketball game at Broseley. [Click to enlarge]

BROSELEY, Mo. -- It looked as if the Kennett Indians were going to blow Twin Rivers out in Broseley on Tuesday night -- then it looked like it was going to go to the wire.

Even though the Tribe jumped out to a 7-0 lead and pushed it to an 11-point lead with a minute left in the first quarter, both teams would take the court after the half with Kennett barely hanging on to a one-point advantage.

However, Kennett's speed ended up taking over and being too much for Twin Rivers to hang with as the fifth-ranked Tribe took the game by a score of 79-62.

Staff photo by Aaron Lynn Kennett's Jack Walls (left) guards Twin Rivers' Mason Oberkramer during the second half of Tuesday's high school basketball game at Broseley. [Click to enlarge]

In the second quarter, Twin Rivers slowed the tempo down a bit and got some really good ball movement against Kennett (13-4), allowing the Royals to get some good open looks.

"We let them worm around and get into the paint on us with dump down after dump down in the first half," said Kennett coach Jim Vaughan.

Dustin Teague was the biggest difference for Twin Rivers in the second quarter. Teague was constantly getting open down low for easy put-ins.

"He does a really good job of running the floor and he sets himself up for a lot of easy baskets," said Twin Rivers coach Robert Brown. "He has a knack for knowing where the ball is and knowing how to have his body in a position to receive the ball. He gave us a great spark off the bench and has all year."

Teague was able to control the inside game during the second quarter to put in 12 points.

Along with Teague's good play, Twin Rivers did a good job of pulling down rebounds and spreading the ball around to erase Kennett's lead and tie the score with two minutes left in the half.

"We were penetrating and being unselfish the first half," said Brown, "really getting into the paint and making good decisions."

Kennett took a 33-32 lead into the half.

The Tribe came out after the break with it's swagger back, playing much more physical. Kennett started controlling the boards and were able to get a lot of pressure on Twin Rivers as they tried to move the ball upcourt as the Indians jumped out to a 14-point lead in the first two and a half minutes of the half.

"The second half we came out throwing the ball all over the gym, I think our first five possessions were turnovers," said Brown. "Same problem we've had all year in the third quarter."

Vaughan echoed his opponent's sentiments.

"That was all attributed to us getting a little more physical in rebounding and doing a better job of staying ahead of the basketball on the dribble," said Vaughan. "Thats when Teague had 12 points. He only had four in the second half because we did a better job of staying in front of the ball. We contested shots and did a good job of locating bodies around the lane and making sure we were securing rebounds."

Kennett also did a good job of spreading the ball around with eight different players scoring in the third quarter to close out the period with Kennett on top 58-42.

Much of Kennett's aggressive play in the second half can be credited to Jay Shavers. The junior guard, who seemed like he was all over the court, was tipping passes and creating turnovers.

"He was the difference maker in that third quarter," said Vaughan. "That's why we started him after the half. I thought he kind of picked it up at the end of the half. He led our physical play a little but that's something we've got to get better at -- just grinding, bodying and holding on to rebound positions. I thought Jay sparked us when it came to that."

Shavers has been playing some of the best defense on the team lately, having 11 steals in one game last week at South Pemiscot.

"I just tried to pick us up after halftime." said Shavers. "Just being that little spark for the team, they call me the little spark plug. I just try to play my part and get a good W out there. We did a better job of blocking out, but we've got to rebound better in these upcoming games."

Kennett had four player get into double figures. Fred Garmon led the Indians with 17 points, while Andy Lack had 12 from some good shooting behind the arc and the duo of Randrick Caruthers and Jimmy Gooden each finished with 10.

Twin Rivers had three players to reach double figures. Teague led with 16 points, while Garrett Stockton tossed in 12 and Randy Moore put in 11.