Kennett's second half comeback upsets Fredericktown in C4D1 quarterfinals

DEXTER — The sixth-seeded Kennett Lady Indians held strong through a low-scoring first half to launch a comeback and defeat third-seeded Fredericktown 57-55 in the Class 4 District 1 quarterfinals.

“It just showed our toughness, and we've shown it all year long,” Kennett coach Aaron New said. “We were down 14 at halftime, then we had a 23-4 quarter in the third quarter, but then we lost the lead again. Our toughness was able to find a way to win the game with a couple good rebounds.”

Kennett's Jayla Moore opened the game with a layup, but not before the higher-seeded Ladycats ripped away the Indians' possession after winning the tip-off. It set the tone for the first half of the game, and things quickly turned in favor of Fredericktown.

Taking advantage of loose balls and perhaps some nerves on Kennett's side of the ball, Fredericktown's PJ Reutzel put in a layup that took the Ladycats' lead to 12-3. Eventually Fredericktown took a 15-5 advantage at the end of the first quarter with no plans of slowing down.

Fredericktown's Calie Allgier (20) looks to pass to a teammate in Tuesday's quarterfinal game against Kennett.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Kennett once again struck first in the second quarter, this time with a free throw by Lani Heeb. All five Fredericktown players scored in the second quarter, and a set of free throws by Lydia Mell took them to a 31-15 lead. A short burst before halftime saw Fredericktown leading 33-19.

“They kept getting to the loose balls,” New said. “We were playing hard, but we were playing too wild and getting out of position. They'd get a loose ball, then we'd foul them. We were down 14, and nine of those were loose balls.”

Kennett “got going” in the third quarter, however. New's halftime conversation of “keep doing what we're doing, play a little better and play more under control” resonated as the Indians began chopping away at their deficit.

Kennett's Anekia Farmer sank a layup to open the second half, and a layup and free throw by Heeb cut the gap to nine points early on. The Indians continued laying it on with the prowess of a completely different team, and a steal secured by Tayja Carter passed to Farmer for the layup tied the game 35-35 with 4:10 remaining in the third quarter.

A jump shot inside the paint by Farmer took the Indians over the edge and they'd eventually reclaim the lead 42-37 at the end of the third quarter.

“Our energy level and our press picked up in the third quarter,” New said. “We started speeding them up, but it shows their toughness too, being able to fight back from a deficit and gave themselves a chance to win at the end.”

Kennett took a 10-point advantage with anther layup by Farmer, but the game was far from over.

Kennett's Lani Heeb (1) moves the ball down the court Tuesday in the C4D1 quarterfinal game against Fredericktown.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Two Kennett players, E'Marriha Johnson and Anekia Farmer fouled out in the fourth quarter. And a free throw by Reutzel tied the game once again at 52-52.

“Of course we don't want to get into foul trouble,” New said, “but we have a little more depth than we've had. We have another player (Johnson) back that gives us more depth and more players who can play in different positions. We're eight or nine deep instead of seven deep like we've been all year long.”

The lead flipped again with time winding down, but Lani Heeb powered inside for a layup that reclaimed the lead for the Indians for the last time. Up 56-55 with a minute left, Kennett's Harrell put in a free throw in an eerily quiet gym, and Fredericktown failed to fire off a shot to tie the game.

E'Marriha Johnson paced the Indians with 12 points. Lani Heeb scored 11, both Taleigh Harrell and Tayja Carter scored 10, Anekia Farmer scored eight, and Jayla Moore scored five.

Fredericktown was led by PJ Reutzel with 22 points, making her the game's high-scorer. Lydia Mell contributed 14, Amelia Miller added 11, and Ava Penuel added four.

Kennett (18-9) will advance to play second-seeded Saxony Lutheran (12-12) in the tournament semifinals Thursday at 7 p.m.

“They're going to be well-coached,” New said. “ (Saxony Lutheran) Coach Sides has been doing this forever, and we'll have to play extremely well to win.”