Young Indians GBB get past Dexter once again

DEXTER – There is an adage that it is difficult to beat the same team in sports three times in a single season, regardless of the factors involved. However, the Kennett High School girl’s basketball squad is methodically growing more advantageous with its counterpart at Dexter High School every time the two teams see each other this winter.

The Indians walloped the Bearcats 70-50 at the Bearcat Event Center on Monday, which was by far the largest of the three margins that Kennett has topped Dexter this season.

“We’ve rebounded pretty well,” first-year Indian coach Erika Cobb said of the three victories against the Bearcats this season. “But we’ve got to get better defensively and quit turning the ball over.”

Cobb, who helped Dexter win four MSHSAA Class 4 District titles, a fourth-place finish in the State Finals as a junior, and a state runner-up spot as a senior in 2014, is in her first season at Kennett and she has not only kept the positive momentum flowing from last year’s 18-win squad, but she has improved upon it.

The Indians (11-3) are allowing opponents just 41 points per game for the third straight season but have upped their offensive production to over 61 points per game, which is 16 points per game better than last season.

“I tell (the players) to play fast,” Cobb said of her practice philosophy. “If they are playing fast in practice, then it is normal when they get out here in a game.”

That speed and athleticism were evident on Monday, as Kennett gradually pulled away throughout the night, but most dramatically in the second half.

After leading just 31-25 at halftime, Kennett tore apart Dexter (7-7) 19-12 in the third quarter alone, as Indian freshman guard Alyce Edwards and sophomore wing E’Marriha Johnson had eight points each in the period.

The fact that Kennett, which has just two seniors (Jayla Moore and Christi Tejada), is so young AND talented, and has already won 28 games in 1 ½ seasons, ain’t good for the rest of Southeast Missouri.

“I hope that (people) see that we are playing hard,” Cobb said, “and we like to play fast.”

Edwards and Johnson scored 27 and 23 points, respectively, which knotted the total output for Dexter.

The Bearcats fell to Kennett in the SEMO Conference Tournament last month 55-48 and at the Lady Royals Christmas Classic at Twin Rivers 51-39, before Monday’s defeat.

The Indians were unguardable for much of the night, as they got to the free throw line 21 times (making 15), as opposed to the Bearcats’ six attempts (making all six).

The Bearcats did sink six 3-pointers, including four from senior guard Abbie Lloyd, who totaled 12 points.

Dexter was led by junior guard Kate Nichols, who had 23 points while freshman Mauriona Menley had eight points in the loss.

Kennett got nine points from another young player, sophomore Tayja Carter.

The Indians grabbed another victory on Tuesday, as it got past Campbell (4-10) 68-31.

Kennett will host Charleston (0-8) on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.

The Bearcats will host Neelyville (7-5) on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.