Lady Indians come up short against Greenville

Staff photo by Aaron Lynn Tara Porter of Greenville scores a 38-points against Kennett.

Greenville handed Kennett a 54-49 loss in the sectional game. After trailing by as much as 15-points, the Lady Indians pulled to within five-points in the final seconds of the game. It wouldn't be enough though as time ran out on the season.

"Overall, it's been a wonderful season," said Kennett coach Casey Bunting. "We ended up being 24-6 and I'm so proud of what the girls have accomplished. They have done a lot for Kennett Girls Athletics. Along with what the boys are doing, we have had a great basketball season at Kennett High School. It didn't end for the girls the way we wanted it to, but that just gives us another goal for next year. We know what we're capable of and this will burn a little deeper come this time next year."

Staff photo by Aaron Lynn Kennett's Brittney Williams looks for a pass against Tara Porter of Greenville

The second quarter of the game hurt the Lady Indians the most. After being down one-point to start the quarter (13-12), they ended up being outscored 14-6.

"We just started so flat," Bunting said. "I don't know if it was because it was a big game, but we just seemed out of our element in the first half. We weren't playing aggressive. We came out in the second half and played a little better. Finally in the fourth quarter, it kind of kicked in. It was just too little too late though."

Another problem for Kennett was the play of Greenville's Tara Porter. Porter scored 38-points in the game and was unstoppable. Porter had at least eight-points in each of the first three quarters and posted 11-points in the fourth.

Greenville also dominated the rebounds in the game. However, the Lady Indians didn't have as many chances on defensive rebounds as Greenville didn't take many shots that didn't go in. Greenville did a good job of getting the ball inside and when they did, they rarely missed.

"To give credit where credit is due, Greenville was extremely strong on the boards and they have a great touch," Bunting said. "They know how to use their bodies to get in position for a rebound. One of our strengths all year long is that we've been a pretty strong inside team, but tonight we weren't."

Kennett did put a run together in the fourth quarter. The Lady Indians entered the quarter down 11-points (36-25). Kennett cut the lead to seven with 4:40 left. Brittney Williams hit two foul shots and Jerrica Wheeler came up with a steal as Greenville brought the ball down court. Wheeler's steal led to Veronica Amos hitting a jumper from the baseline (38-31).

After a Greenville time-out. Wheeler found Amos for another jumper with 4:15 left (38-33).

Greenville opened their lead back up to 10-points, but with 35-seconds left the Lady Indians had on last run at it.

Wheeler found Amos for a 3' with 24-seconds to go to cut the lead to seven (53-46). Then, Wheeler found Audrey White for a basket with eight-seconds left to make it a five-point game (54-49). Time ran out on Kennett's run though and Greenville took the game.

"This is the first time that we have made it here," Bunting said. "In the past few years our program has turned completely around and we have progressed so much. I think we were a little wide eyed and na*ve tonight. If we make it back next year, I think it will be a different story. The girls will have some experience under their belt and they will kind of know what to face."

Kennett had two players reach double digits in scoring. Amos led with 22-points and Wheeler finished with 13.

Greenville's only player to reach double digits was Porter with 38-points.