The Kennett girls basketball team outrebounded and outscored Cape Central early and pushed its momentum to win handily 61-42 on Monday, Feb. 5, 2024.

The Indians (17-4) defeated the Tigers (8-12) once already this season, winning 72-35 in the SEMO Conference opener.

“Defensively we were pretty good,” said Kennett head coach Erika Cobb. “We were moving pretty well, but I felt like we were a little bit stagnant on offense and stood around too long. We came up with a lot of steals and rebounded well. Our post players got after it.”

Despite fluctuations of offensive productivity, Kennett went on a 9-2 run to start the game. E’Marriha Johnson kickstarted the Indians’ scoring with a two-point and a three-point shot to follow. Tayja Carter and Alyce Edwards both chipped in near-consecutive plays after one another, and after Johnson put in her second three-pointer Kennett was up by nearly 20 points, leading 24-5.

While Kennett worked in a full court press at times in the first quarter, the hosts continued to force turnovers and pull in steals in the second, but some shots stopped falling.

Kennett's E'Marriha Johnson attempts a three-pointer during a game against Cape Central Monday, Feb. 5.Photo by Christian Johnson

Central’s Jamie Dawson-Ide opened the second quarter with a quick layup, and then the game slowed as Kennett’s missed passes and turnovers of their own picked up. Eventually the Indians tacked on seven consecutively, which included a three-pointer by Edwards, to keep pace.

The Tigers outscored Kennett in the minutes leading into the break 15-12, with all five players contributing buckets. Brooklyn Moss scored five of her seven total, and Gracyn Morris added four more, but Kennett still led 36-20 at halftime.

After a halftime pep talk, Kennett was assuredly back at it.

“I just told them to keep on playing hard and don’t stand on offense,” Cobb said. “The second quarter is when we were most stagnant, we got a few turnovers and missed a few buckets close to the basket that we should have hit. We just have to keep doing things right and playing hard.”

Cape Central junior Emani Summers opened the second half with a steal and layup, but Kennett had answers. E’Marriha Johnson put in three quick two-point plays, broken up only by another Summers layup. After pulling ahead by 20 midway through the third, Anekia Farmer, Tayja Carter and Edwards all scored at least once more to push that lead to nearly 30.

Cape Central's Emani Summers moves in for a layup in a game against Kennett Monday, Feb. 5. Photo by Christian Johnson

Central’s Summers kept up the pressure and again opened play in the fourth quarter with two. Three Indian players managed to score in the fourth, including Alaina Edwards and Jayla Ellis who came in from the bench, but Cape Central took advantage and cut the deficit to just under 20 points by the final buzzer.

Offensively for Kennett, Alyce Edwards scored 21, Tayja Carter scored 15, E’Marriha Johnson scored 14, and Anekia Farmer added three.

“With the postseason coming up, we have to keep coming into practice and working hard,” Cobb said. “Our defense finally looks good for bits and pieces, and our communication is getting better. On offense we just have to keep moving around.”

Emani Summers led Cape Central with 14 points. Gracyn Morris followed with 12, Brooklyn Moss added seven and Jamie Dawson-Ide scored five.

Cape Central next travels to Dexter while Kennett travels to Saxony Lutheran both on Thursday.