Lady Tribe wins second straight

The Kennett Lady Indians seem to be coming out of their recent slump at just the right time.

With the start of district play less than two weeks away, the Lady Tribe has won back-to-back games on back-to-back nights, including a 55-35 victory over the Scott County Central Bravettes Tuesday at the Kennett High School gymnasium.

Kennett (12-11) won its second game in a row one night after snapping a six-game losing streak that saw more than its share of close losses.

Photo by Mike Buhler, StaffKennett's Shon Wynne, right, battles with a Scott County Central player for a rebound during Tuesday's girls high school basketball game at Kennett.

"We had that run of six losses, and the girls truly fought hard in those six losses," Kennett coach James Halitzka said. "I know it meant a lot to them to get back-to-back wins on back-to-back nights. I know it gives us some momentum."

The Lady Tribe started fast against Scott County Central (13-8), getting a pair of 3-pointers from Kate Shetley in the first quarter to put a dent in the Bravettes' zone defense. Kennett led 14-7 after one period and 23-14 at the half.

"We had a couple of good 3s to start the game from Kate," Halitzka said. "I think that helped extend their zone a little. They packed it in hard on us to take away our inside presence from us, but our guards worked hard to get it inside."

One of the people the guards got it inside to was freshman Heidi Shetley, who scored a game-high 24 points on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Shon Wynne, Heidi Shetley's fellow frontcourt player, had a dominant night on the defensive end against standout Mikaela Blissett while also scoring eight points.

"In the three and a half quarters she guarded her, she held her to five points," Halitzka said. "She held her scoreless in the first quarter and that was a big difference that helped us get that lead going to halftime."

Kate Shetley joined her younger sister in double figures with 16 points.

"She had another big night," Halitzka said. "She got aggressive and it was not just shooting the 3 -- her other 10 points came from being under the goal and being aggressive."

Halitzka also had words of praise for guards Khadijah Whitfield and Hadley Hilburn.

"Hadley and Khadijah did a good job of breaking their press," Halitzka said. "They only pressed us about a quarter and a half. Both did a good breaking it, and getting us set up on our offense."

Blissett led Scott County Central with 15 points.

The Lady Tribe will wrap up the regular season Thursday night by hosting Charleston. A win against the Lady Bluejays would secure a winning season for Kennett.

"Big game Thursday against Charleston," Halitzka said. "If we win Thursday, we will end with a winning season no mater what happens in district. That will be big for our girls."