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Kennett boys basketball team comes up a bit short against Jackson 57-43
Kennett’s Mark Wagster and Jackson’s Dalton Tollison fight for positioning in the paint in a varsity boys basketball game at Kennett Friday night.
KENNETT, Mo. - The Kennett Indians varsity boys basketball team has developed a habit of digging itself an early hole in recent weeks.
That trend continued Friday night against the visiting Jackson Indians.
Jackson outscored Kennett by six points in the first quarter and five points in the second quarter to build a 29-18 lead by halftime and won the second half by three points as it secured a 57-43 road victory at Kennett.
“It was frustrating, especially the first half,” Kennett coach Andrew Halford said. “We came out very sloppy and very sluggish. We weren’t moving or being aggressive enough on offense. When you score 18 points in a half you are going to get beat anyone regardless of who you are playing.”
Junior Luke Reynolds provided was an offensive spark for Jackson out of the gates. The six-foot-three guard knocked down both of his 3-pointers and recorded eight of his 14 -points in the first quarter. A 3-pointers by Reynolds as the buzzer sounded at the end of the first period gave Jackson a 15-9 lead.
“I thought our kids did a good job of getting it to the high post,” Jackson coach Darrin Scott said. “We move the ball and share it really well. We always try to get it to the open guy. When we limit our turnovers we are pretty good offensively and when we don’t we struggle.”
Kennett trailed by single digits throughout the second quarter until Jackson scored the final four points of the first half to pad its lead to double digits at 29-18 at halftime. The second quarter ended with Jackson’s Payton Salyer, who finished with 10 points, stealing a Kennett pass and recording an uncontested breakaway layup.
“I thought our guys got in the passing lanes well when we went zone a couple times,” Scott said. “Anytime you can steal a possession and get a bucket in a 10-point game it’s huge.”
Kennett got as close as 37-30 with 3:52 left in the third quarter when senior guard Quayv’aun Harrell knocked one of his five treys. But Jackson responded with an 11-2 run to pad its lead to 48-32 by the end of the third quarter and led by at least 10 points throughout the fourth quarter.
“They made a run in the third quarter and cut it to seven points but we were able to respond and push our lead back up after that,” Scott said. “I thought the way we responded after their run was a huge part of the game.”
Jackson, which has four players six-foot-five or taller, was led in scoring by Dalton Tollison. The six-foot-six senior finished with 17 points.
“Their size allows them to see around the court and over you,” Halford said. “They pass it so well and have good spacing offensively. Their big guys also do a good job fighting for position around the basket. They are just a tough team to defend.”
Quayv’aun Harrell knocked finished with a game-high 19 points for Kennett. Jackson Henfling added a dozen more points for Kennett.
Kennett made all three free throws it attempted but struggled to find scoring opportunities in the paint.
“Offensively, we are not moving with a purpose enough,” Halford said. “We are just floating or loafing to spots. You cannot beat a good team like Jackson playing like that. The ball has to move and you have to set good, solid screens. You also have to give yourself some extra opportunities. I would guess we had about five offensive rebounds tonight and we only shot three free throws. It’s the second time this year we’ve only attempted three free throws in a game and that’s just not good enough. We’ve got to be more aggressive around the basket and get to the free throw line.”
Jackson (11-2) improves to 2-0 in SEMO Conference regular season play with the victory. Kennett falls to 0-2 in SEMO Conference play.
Kennett (6-7) won’t have much time to ponder Friday’s loss. Kennett is back in action Saturday at 2:30 p.m. when it takes on state-ranked South Iron (12-1) at Three Rivers College in Poplar Bluff. South Iron’s loss of the season was a 66-62 decision against Farmington in the championship of the Park Hill’s Central Tournament on Dec. 31.
“They are very good,” Halford said of South Iron. “They have five guys on the floor that can handle it, shoot it, and pass it. They get up and down the floor like a good Scot County Central team. They play a good zone and have a good press. They are going to be a handful so we need to make a quick turnaround and come out with some energy Saturday.”
Jackson 57, Kennett 43
JHS 15 14 19 9 - 57
KHS 9 9 14 11 - 43
JACKSON (57) - Michael Schneider 2, Payton Salyer 10, Colten Seyer 8, Dalton Tollison 17, Luke Reynolds 14, Seth Beussink 6. FG 22, FT 9/15, F 8. (3-pointers: Salyer 1, Seyer 1, Reynolds 2; Fouled out: None).
KENNETT (43) - Quayv’aun Harrell 19, Carter Maddox 2, La’Quez Pulliam 2, Jackson Henfling 12, Ben McMullan 6, Matthew Hamer 2. FG 17, FT 3/3, F 13. (3-pointers: Harrell 5, Henfling 1; Fouled out: Hamer).
Notes: Jackson beat Kennett 42-25 in the junior varsity contest.
Kennett’s Quayv’aun Harrell takes a contested 3-pointer in a varsity boys basketball game against Jackson Friday night.