C4D1: Saxony Lutheran’s fourth quarter effort secures championship appearance over Kennett

DEXTER — Second-seeded Saxony Lutheran (13-12) pushed through a close matchup to rally in the fourth quarter and take down sixth-seeded Kennett (18-10) in the Class 4 District 1 semifinals at Dexter High School Thursday, March 2.

The Crusaders won by 17 points, 56-39, but Kennett led after the first quarter and the two teams were tied at halftime and at the end of the third.

Kennett utilized a full-court press from the beginning of the game, and after Taleigh Harrell put in a three-pointer the Indians took an 8-3 lead. Kennett eventually led 11-8 before a three-pointer by Saxony Lutheran’s Rebecca Johnson immediately tied the game 11-11 opening the second quarter. 

The Crusaders led nearly the whole way after Abigail Haley made a layup giving them the lead after they picked off a stray Kennett pass. Finally, Kennett’s E’Marriha Johnson stepped back for a three-pointer of her own to tie the game 20-20 just before the halftime buzzer.

Saxony Lutheran maintained their advantage for five minutes until Kennett’s Johnson made a contested layup on her own rebound to retake the lead for the Indians, 28-27. The score would tie again, and the lead would change hands once more, until Saxony Lutheran’s Johnson sank a three-pointer tying the game again ending the third quarter 35-35.

The Crusaders’ Emma Dunning opened the fourth quarter with a three-point shot to claim the lead, kicking off the team’s run. While Saxony Lutheran’s offense continued to gain traction, Evie Caruso put in a layup to break 50 points.

Saxony Lutheran added 21 points to their score, meanwhile Kennett was held to just four points in the fourth quarter.

Rebecca Johnson paced the Crusaders with 19 points, Emma Dunning added 12 more, and Evie Carusa contributed 10.

E’Marriha Johnson led Kennett with 15 points, followed by Anekia Farmer with 13 and Taleigh Harrell with nine.

Saxony Lutheran will advance to play first-seeded Doniphan, who took down fourth-seeded Dexter 37-35, in the district championship Saturday at 2 p.m.