High-scoring Lady Wildcats soar past Northeast
The Kemper County basketball teams hosted Northeast Lauderdale last Tuesday.
The Lady Wildcats pulled out the win, while the Wildcats were just edged. KCHS will travel to West Lowndes Tuesday. The teams were set to play Choctaw Central and Southeast Lauderdale earlier this week.
The Lady Wildcats are continuing their hot start. They earned a huge 67-25 win over Northeast. Four Lady Wildcats scored in double figures, but it was Rodezeah Smith who led the way with 26 points, six assists, and four rebounds. Eryana Brown scored 15 points, while Robynn Jennings scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds. Seriah Little scored 10 points, while Jayla Harrington grabbed seven rebounds.
“It was a great game,” Head Coach Ronnie Slaughter said. Slaughter added that he loved to see the way every member of the team supports each other, including those on the bench. “It’s clicking for them right now,” he said. Slaughter praised his teams defense once again for how they were able to stop the scoring and score a lot in transition.
The Lady Wildcats were set to face the reigning 4A state champions, Choctaw Central on Monday. “It’s a big one, '' Slaughter said, “I like the challenge.”
Slaughter added that he scheduled tough games like this at the beginning of the year in order to prepare the Lady Wildcats for district and playoff play. “If they can stand up to the test in the beginning of the season, they can stand up to the monsters in 2A,” he said.
75-72 HEARTBREAKER
The Wildcats lost to Northeast in a 75-72 heartbreaker. Sophomore guard Lebrun Johnson dominated, scoring 33 points. “He’s playing with a lot of heart,” said Coach Michael Stringer, “He is capable of doing that every night. Adian Burrage scored 14, while Ben Winston added eight. Stringer once again added that consistency is his team's key to success, and said that it is starting to come together.
“We have to be consistent,” he said. Stringer also added that the early games are tougher opponents, in order to have the Wildcats ready for district play and playoffs. Stringer said that the team is using this week to improve in all aspects of the game, however he emphasized mental toughness.