Donettes turn back Lady Mules upset bid to open 2023

DONIPHAN — The Doniphan Donettes had three players score in double figures and shook off a slow start to defeat the Poplar Bluff Lady Mules 61-49 Monday night at Wright Gymnasium.

Madelyn Eads' bucket with 4:25 left in the opening period gave the Mules an 8-7 lead, but Kenzie Redus answered for Doniphan 56 seconds later to put her team back on top. The Donettes never trailed again, going on a 13-3 run that extended into the second quarter.

Doniphan led 30-20 at half and extended its lead to 46-30 by the start of the fourth quarter.

Despite the win, Donettes coach Adam Epps thought his team could have played better.

“We started out in our defense lackadaisical,” Epps said. “We gave them some easy opportunities early. … I don't think we did the little things (well) tonight. Credit to Poplar Bluff — they played well.”

On the other side, Poplar Bluff coach John David Pattillo was pleased with his team's performance.

“The girls are playing really hard,” Pattillo said. “When we've got everybody there and everybody engaged, we've looked pretty good. We're getting a lot more done.”

Kenzie Redus led the Donettes with 20 points, while Brooke Klepzig and McKenna Monaghan both added 11 apiece and Sarah Owen also had seven points and eight rebounds.

Epps had praise for all four.

“We're real spread out, which makes us harder to guard,” Epps said.

Eads led the Lady Mules with 19 points, while Nevaeh Larkins added 11 and Kennedy Zgaynor had seven.

“Nevaeh battled undersize in there,” Pattillo said. “She did a nice job on the boards.”

Poplar Bluff hosts Cape Central Thursday, while the Donettes head to Mountain View Liberty.

East Prairie 37, Bloomfield 31

At Bloomfield, the host Lady Wildcats got behind early and never could get fully untracked against East Prairie.

Bloomfield trailed 11-5 after the opening period, 21-10 at half and 27-19 by the beginning of the fouth quarter.

Abbigail Heaton led the Lady Wildcats with 12 points, while Mollianne Dodd added 11.

Katie Brewer and Bella Sutton each had 15 points for East Prairie.

EPC 58, Ellington 55

At the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tenn. Sunday, the Lady Whippets lost a hard-fought, close contest to East Poinsett County.

EPC led 18-16 after the opening period and 31-29 at halftime, then extended its lead to 43-38 by the start of the fourth quarter.

No further information was provided on the game by coaches.

Chaffee 46, Malden 37

At Chaffee, the host Lady Red Devils got the win over the visiting Lady Wave.

Malden hoss Caruthersville Tuesday.

Boys

Campbell 97, Naylor 36

At Campbell, the visiting Eagles lost despite getting 10 points from Damian Thilman and eight from Preston Johnson.

Duncan Hicks led the host Camels with 23 points, while Ben Rowland added 22.

Naylor hosts Marquand-Zion Thursday.