PORTAGEVILLE -The Kennett Indians notched their second win of the young season with a 50-45 win over the Portageville Bulldogs Friday night.
Indians' head coach Tim Turlington couldn't have been happier with the win.
"Any time you can come here and come away with a win where all these banners are hanging, it's great," said a jubilant Turlington.
The two teams have a history of playing very competitive games no matter who should have the upper hand. Last year's edition featured a three-point buzzer-beater by Kennett's Dustin Pritchett to turn back the Bulldogs.
Friday night it was senior Tyree Goolsby who led the Indians' victory. He paced the Indian attack with 34 points, including 8-of-12 from the charity stripe. He canned 6-of-9 free throws in the waning minutes of the contest.
"We have a very young team, with only two kids with varsity experience," said Turlington. "I am really proud of the way they played, especially the last minute of the game."
The two teams got off to a very slow start in the contest and were deadlocked at only seven points each after one quarter.
The Bulldogs were plagued by turnovers that thwarted their every attempt to catch the Indians. By halftime they trailed by nine points which was the biggest lead of the night for Kennett. The Tribe led 22-13 at the half.
Portageville's Aaron Bidewell kept the Bulldogs close in the contest in the third quarter scoring seven of his team-high 21 points. The Bulldogs trailed after three 33-27.
In the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs kept the score close, but each time they pulled close, the Indians answered with a score to maintain the win.
The Bulldogs, who lost all of their starters from a year ago, had a slightly more balanced attack than the Indians with seven players scoring while Kennett had only four to get in the scoring column. Each team had only one player in double figures.
Portageville's next contest will be against the Kelly Hawks on Tuesday. Kennett will compete in the Sikeston Invitational.