Long range shooting lifts Senath-Hornersville girls over Puxico

After playing just half of a junior varsity game and dominating every minute she was on the court, Senath-Hornersville (8-7) freshman Halle Jamerson knocked back four 3-pointers opening varsity play to set the tone for the Lions’ staggering 61-35 victory over Puxico (5-11) Thursday night.

“One thing about us is everyone in our starting five can score,” Senath-Hornersville head coach Nicki Pierce said. “Tonight is a night we all felt like we needed, so it was great to see all of our girls step up and get some points on the board.”

Jamerson wasn’t the Lions’ only impressive shooter, however, as junior Jada Burlison paced Senath-Hornersville through the rest of the game with a total of 19 points.

Burlison opened the contest with a quick 3-point shot, which was quickly answered by another by Puxico’s Laney Porter. To pull ahead and secure a lead that wouldn’t be threatened for the rest of the night, Jamerson drained two consecutive 3’s and followed those up with a successful steal and layup.

“We’re working on building up our confidence and trying to get people to shoot a little more, because we all have a really good shot and they’re starting to fall more,” Burlison said. “I’m just proud of Halle and all the other girls who are proving themselves every single day.”

Senath-Hornersville junior Jada Burlison looks for an opening around Puxico defenders Thursday night.Christian Johnson, Delta Dunklin Democrat

Senath-Hornersville led 20-6 after the first quarter. After two more 3’s by Burlison and a five point showing by junior Kaya Horton, the Lions led 35-19 at halftime.

Puxico’s Porter scored first for the Indians in the third quarter – a skilled shooter in her own right – and she’d go on to finish the game as the highest scorer with 20 points in all.

For Senath-Hornersville, Burlison maintained momentum and contributed eight more points to the Lions’ advantage, six points coming from 3’s. While Burlison and Jamerson both added just two points each in the fourth quarter, Kaya Horton’s hands got hot as she added three layups and two free throws to finish out the night.

“Somebody’s always going to step up for us, but the reason that those two girls can knock down those shots is because they’re so confident in what they’re doing,” Pierce said. “And we’re confident behind them. We have faith in them, and they know it’s their job, so that’s why they’re so solid.”

Burlison paced the Lions with 19 points, followed by Halle Jamerson with 18, Kaya Horton with 15, Accountess Lewis with five, and both Brennan Lane and Hayley Barksdale with two each.

Laney Porter scored 20 of Puxico’s 35 points as the team leader. She was assisted by Adi Denny with five points, Lani Wilkerson with four, and both Austin Harbin and Emily Cara with three each.

“I think we all worked hard as a team tonight,” Burlison said. “It shows because we’ve been working hard in practice every day. We come in and it shows. I’m just excited for the future because we’re going to keep getting better and building up. I hope by the end of the season that we can prove how hard we’ve been working.”

Next, Senath-Hornersville takes on Hayti (3-11) at home next Monday. Puxico hosts Woodland (5-12) next Monday at home as well.