Lady Bulldogs seniors display strong leadership

While Sikeston lost their final home game of the season, a 63-48 defeat to Kennett Tuesday night, one thing was in abundance – senior leadership.

The Sikeston girls started out the game missing their first eight shots and fell behind 13-0 but battled back to cut the deficit to eight points by the end of the first quarter.

The Bulldogs fell behind by 20 points in the second quarter but continued to battle, cutting the deficit to 11 points on multiple occasions.

Sikeston's Nayla Bonner (14) shoots a free throw during a 73-58 win at Kelly on Tuesday, Feb. 7. (Dennis Marshall/Standard-Democrat)

The fight shown by the Bulldogs was an example of the leadership of four seniors: Kirsten Fairhurst, Nayla Bonner, Jakiah Adams and Jahnea Long.

“Our seniors are a good group of girls,” said Sikeston Vaughn Shephard. “I wish I had more time with them.”

Fairhurst missed most of the first half against Kennett after picking up two quick fouls but made her presence known in the second half, grabbing six rebounds.

Kirsten Fairhurst drives pass a defender in Sikeston�s 66-19 win against NMCC on Monday, Jan. 10. (Dennis Marshall/Standard Democrat)

“She’s gonna be missed,” Shephard said of Fairhurst. “She’s a hard-nosed player. Night in and night out she’s going to give you 100 percent.”

Adams scored 16 points for Sikeston, connecting on two 3-pointers and going a perfect 6-of-6 from the free-throw line.

“She has so much heart and is very competitive,” Shephard said.

Bonner scored two points and grabbed three rebounds for the Bulldogs, but her specialty is defense, forcing several Kennett turnovers with her defensive pressure.

“She’s just a good player and defender for us,” Shephard added.

Long didn’t play last year but returned to the Bulldogs this year and picked up a steal against Kennett.

“She doesn’t see much time on the floor but when she does get in the ball game, she gives us a 110 percent,” Shephard said. “She just loves being around the program.”

Shephard added the four seniors will be missed.

“My only regret is that I wish I had another year with them,” Shephard said. “We’d be further along if I did. We did what we could. They changed a lot. They had a lot of bad habits they were doing, and they changed it and that’s all I ask as a coach.”

Sikeston (5-20) is seeded seventh in the Class 5, District 1 Tournament held at Farmington High School.

The Bulldogs will take on second-seeded Notre Dame at 7 p.m. on March 2.