Tuesday night in an area playoff game, billed as two running teams evenly matched, Kennedale was big winner.
Liberty Hill (25-10), who came into the game ranked 24th and with a bigger bench, planned to run the Lady Kats off the court. For the first quarter their game plan seemed to be working. Liberty Hill established a lead that Kennedale couldn?t quite top. The quarter ended with Liberty ahead 18-13. {{more}}
It was a running, hard fought game with lots of missed shots on both sides and plenty of fouls in the first half. Kennedale seemed to have trouble with the press but midway through the 2nd quarter caught up with and passed Liberty, winning the quarter 16-11 and tying the game at 29 at half.
For the game, Kennedale shot only 44% and was just 65% from the free point line. That was the type of game it was.
The second half belonged to the Kats. In the game of running, in the game of ball control the Lady Kats were the teachers. Liberty Hill came out flat and never could catch their breath as the Kennedale built up an insurmountable lead, leading at one point by 26.
Anna Llamas (Soph) with 8 crucial points in Liberty Hill game
?We finally settled down and played our game,? an obviously elated Head Coach Mindy Youngs said, ?that was the difference!?
Kennedale had 3 players in double figures all putting in points at crucial times. The second half was Sadie Mahnesmith?s, who finished the game with 18, was 10-12 from the line, 4 rebounds, 3 assist, 4 steals . The unflappable Jasymn Poe put up 17 with one 3 and was 4 of 5 from the line. McKinley Bostad had 17 points, 10 rebounds with 5 assist. Daija Simmons had 8 points (several crucial backdoor points) and 7 rebounds. Brenee Ellis finished with 5 points and 11 rebounds with 3 steals.Kennedale plays tonight in Lubbock in the regional semifinals against Shallowater, beginning at 8:30 p.m.
