NMCC beats Kennett 65-35 in C4D1 girls basketball semifinal, Kennett's Caroline Patton scores 1,000th point

Kennett’s Anelle Harris (32) and Caroline Patton (23) battle for a rebound with New Madrid County Central's Mastajah Walker (back) in a Class 4, District 1 girls basketball semifinal Monday at New Madrid.

NEW MADRID - New Madrid County Central Eagles girls basketball coach Toby Heeb doesn’t believe a long layoff impacts his veteran squad as much as it might many other teams.

“This group has played together for so long they always know where each other is on the court,” Heeb said. "That makes it a little bit easier for them to stay in a grove even after missing so much time in recent weeks. They just have really good chemistry together.”

The Eagles didn’t look a bit rusty even though they were playing for just the second time in 20 days Monday night.

Six players finished with at least seven points as No. 1 seeded New Madrid County Central outscored the visiting No. 4 seeded Kennett Indians in every quarter on tis way to 65-35 victory in a Class 4, District 1 semifinal.

“We were down 6-5 midway into the first quarter,” Kennett coach Aaron New said. “But then they closed out the first quarter strong and we were never able to get back within single digits again. We missed a few good looks but when you play a team as athletic as they are it causes you to miss some good shots sometimes.”

Kennett senior forward Caroline Patton put together another big performance despite the loss. Patton tallied a game-high 24 points and scored the 1,000th point of her high school career in the second half of her final game.

“I’m proud Caroline got her 1,000th point tonight,” New said. “She deserved it because she's worked hard the past couple summers to improve her game.”

New Madrid County Central, which pressed most of the first half, built a 17-7 lead by the end of the first quarter, increased its lead to 34-12 by halftime, and led 49-25 by the end of the third quarter.

Shakyra Wright paced New Madrid County Central with 13 points. She recorded four transition buckets in the first half.

Alivia Hartman finished one point behind with 12 points and Ayannah Ruff also scored in double digits with 11 points. Jimmy Caldwell-Newson and Tylei Wofford-Byrd added eight points each and Mastajah Walker put up seven points for the Eagles.

“We applied a lot of pressure out of the gate like usual,” Heeb said, “We like to put a lot of pressure on teams and run as much as we can. We were able to do that again tonight”

Kennett finishes its season with a record of 14-12. It graduates five seniors - Patton, Adelynn Nelson, Katara Raiford, Katelyn Chitester, and Kaniya Madlock.

“They’ve all played for four years,” New said of his departing players. “They’ve been great for our program and I’m really proud of their accomplishments.”

New Madrid County Central (19-3) will play defending district champion Doniphan (21-4) in the Class 4, District 1 championship Thursday at 7 p.m. at Kennett High School. No. 2 seeded Doniphan beat No. 3 seeded Dexter 37-34 in its district semifinal Monday. New Madrid County Central won the only meeting with Doniphan this season 51-46 on Dec. 22.

“I expect it will be a tough game,” Heeb said. “This time of the year there are no easy games. We will spend the next two days preparing and come out and give our best effort Thursday night.”

No. 1 New Madrid County Central 65, No. 4 Kennett 35

KENNETT (35) - Macy New 2, Taleigh Harrell 6, Caroline Patton 24, Kaniywa Madlock 2, Ara Speilman 1. FG 12, FT 9/15, F 19. (3-pointers: Patton 2; Fouled out: None.)

NMCC (65) - Shakyra Wright 13, Jimmya Caldwell-Newson 8, Ayannah Ruff 11, Alivia Hartman 12, Tylei-Wofford-Byrd 8, Allisia Hester 3, Latavia Brooks 2, Mastajah Walker 7. FG 23, FT 15/28, F 16. (3-pointers: Wright 1, Ruff 1, Hester 1; Fouled out: None.)