Portageville wins season opener

KENNETT -- The Kennett High School Indians boys basketball season got under way Friday night when they hosted the Portageville Bulldogs in Bootheel Conference action. When the night was over, the varsity Indians were 0-1 in conference play and 0-1 in regular season play.

The Bulldogs demonstrated why they are perennially favorites to perform well and have a chance to win in the Bootheel Conference, handily defeating the Indians 64-41.

Before the season began, Indians head coach Sam Weaver said he would be using a new system this season.

"If the kids get it down," Weaver said, "it will be exciting. If we can do it right it will be fun for the fans as well."

As expected, it will probably take a while for the Indians to become efficient with the system. The Bulldogs were ready for it Friday night.

Initially, both teams appeared pretty evenly matched, but Portageville soon displayed their quickness and speed both offensively and defensively.

Trey Mosby and Jordan Bidewell used their quickness defensively to create several Indians turnovers. Practically each time, the Bulldogs took advantage of those turnovers.

The Bulldogs jumped ahead 6-0 rather quickly before the Indians scored their first basket. The Indians had several opportunities to score first in the game, but their shooting was cold. That was a problem that persisted throughout the night.

Corderro Taylor scored the first points for the Indians at the 3:50 mark in the first quarter. Less than one minute later, Taylor connected on his second field goal to pull the Indians to within two points of the Bulldogs, 6-4.

Afterwards, Kennett went cold until less than one minute remained in the first quarter. Then Wesley Jackson connected on a three-pointer and pulled the Indians to within three points of the Bulldogs, 10-7.

Before the clock ran out on the first quarter, Portageville quickly added four more points. They led at the end of the first quarter 14-7.

The Bulldogs quickly took control of the game in the second quarter. Their speed and quickness became even more apparent as they filled the passing lanes, anticipated many of Kennett's moves, and took advantage of turnovers to extend their lead further and further.

At the 6:20 mark in the second quarter, the Bulldogs led 20-7. At the 1:52 mark they extended that to 32-13. Kennett's offensive woes continued, and Portageville kept right on chugging along.

Kennett's front court turnovers continued also, and Portageville continued taking advantage of their transition game. At the end of the first half, Portageville led 36-15.

The game was pretty well over except the shouting in the third quarter.

By the time 3:50 showed on the clock, Portageville had opened a 42-20 lead.

In the end, Portageville won the varsity contest 64-41.