Kennett girls use strong start to spoil Sikeston senior night

SIKESTON — A strong start and a dominant inside presence was all Kennett needed to spoil Sikeston’s senior night with a 63-48 win Tuesday night.

Sikeston missed their first eight shots and Kennett took advantage, jumping out to a 13-0 lead to start the game.

“We just didn’t play well from the start,” said Sikeston head coach Vaughn Shephard. “Normally when we come out a little sluggish, a little slow, it’s a tough night for us.”

Sikeston's Nayla Bonner (14) and Kennett's Lani Heeb (1) attempt to grab a loose ball Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at the Sikeston Field House. (David Jenkins photo)

While Sikeston was a little sluggish, Kennett came out aggressive and took advantage of their opportunities.

“We came out with good energy and our offensive execution was probably as good as it’s been all year, if not better, in the first half,” said Kennett assistant coach Ronnie Lewallen. “We really got to our spots on defense to slow them down. It’s probably as good of a first half as we’ve had all year.”

Sikeston slowly chipped into the Indians’ lead and a three-pointer from Landri Hammontree just before the first quarter buzzer cut Kennett’s lead to 16-8.

Sikeston's Landri Hammontree looks for an open teammate against Kennett Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at the Sikeston Field House. (David Jenkins photo)

But Kennett’s Tayja Carter proved to be a thorn in the Bulldogs’ side in the second quarter. Teammates continually fed the freshman underneath the basket in the second quarter, as Carter finished with 12 points in the frame.

“She played really well,” Lewallen said. “(Sikeston) was looking to take away that high-low early in the game but later, in the second quarter, she started to get it quite a bit.”

Carter finished with a team high 20 points and 14 rebounds as the taller, more physical Indians dominated the boards, outrebounding Sikeston 36-19 in the game. Anekia Farmer finished with 12 points while Lani Heeb added 12 points and seven rebounds.

Sikeston's Jakiah Adams (24) knifes through the Kennett defense Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at the Sikeston Field House. (David Jenkins photo)

Sikeston picked up the intensity to start the second half, using a full-court, pressure defense to force Kennett into several turnovers. The Bulldogs turned several of the turnovers into points and cut the Indians lead to 11 multiple times in the second half but could never get closer.

“The girls finished the ballgame strong,” Shephard said. “They came out in the second half with some intensity. They came out and they played hard, like night and day from the first half to the second half.”

Sikeston was led by Hammontree’s game-high 21 points while senior Jakiah Adams scored 16.

Kennett's Anekia Farmer goes up for shot while being defended by Sikeston's Janaye Moore (15) Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at the Sikeston Field House. (David Jenkins photo)

Adams, along with fellow seniors Kirsten Fairhurst, Nayla Bonner and Jahnea Long were honored before the game.

“Our seniors are a good group of girls,” Shephard said. “I wish I had more time with them. They learned a lot. They changed a lot. They had a lot of bad habits they were doing, and we changed it. And that’s all I can ask as a coach. I’m going to miss them.”

Kennett (16-9) will host Poplar Bluff Thursday night while Sikeston (5-19) will be at Jackson Wednesday.

Kennett's Anekia Farmer goes up for shot while being defended by Sikeston's Janaye Moore (15) Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023, at the Sikeston Field House. (David Jenkins photo)

Kennett 16 21 8 18 — 63

Sikeston 8 9 17 14 — 48

KENNETT (63) — Tayja Carter 20, Lani Heeb 16, Anekia Farmer 12, Taleigh Harrell 8, Christi Tejeda 4, E’Marriha Johnson 4, Sophie Boone 2, Jayla Moore 2. FG 27, FT 6-14, F 16. (3-pointers: Heeb 2, Harrell 1. Fouled out: none)

SIKESTON (48) — Landri Hammontree 21, Jakiah Adams 16, Alex Segers 4, Janaye Moore 4, Nayla Bonner 2, Kirsten Fairhurst 1. FG 17, FT 10-14, F 14. (3-pointers: Hammontree 2, Adams 2. Fouled out: none)