Doniphan Hoops Roundup Feb. 25

The Doniphan Donettes extended their current winning streak to five games with a 56 to 34 victory over the visiting Kennett Lady Indians on Monday, Feb. 24.

The win raised the Donettes’ season record to 21-2, and they have already secured the top seed and a first-round bye in the upcoming Class 4 District 1 tournament, where they could potentially play the Lady Indians again in the semifinals.

Doniphan led 15-10 after the first quarter, with Ellie White, Kensey Killian, and Sarah Owen scoring. They edged Kennett 9-8 in the second quarter for a 24-18 halftime lead.

“I thought we did a great job defensively, but you could tell we had some rust offensively from the ten-day layoff,” said Doniphan head coach Adam Epps.

“We’re glad to finally get to play a game and that we have two more before districts start,” he added.

The Donettes came out strong in the third quarter, outscoring Kennett 13 to 4. Carsyn Hagood came up big in the fourth quarter with 10 of her game high 20 points falling in the final frame.

Killian finished the game with 14 points, and White and Madilyn Redus each scored 7 points.

The Donettes’ first game in the district tournament is scheduled for Thursday, March 6 at 6 p.m., against the winner of Kennett vs. Saxony Lutheran, which will take place on March 4.

The Dons split a pair of games, falling to South Pemiscot 85-75 in overtime on Feb. 15, then bouncing back for a 64-56 win versus Alton on Feb. 18.

“I think we are starting to play some of our best basketball here at the end,” said Dons head coach Hunter Dilbeck. “We’ve played some good competition and competed very well. We definitely have things that we have to tighten up, but overall, I like how we are playing headed toward districts.”

Down by five at halftime to South Pemiscot, the Dons outscored the Bulldogs 36-31 in the second half to force overtime. The advantage in the extra period, unfortunately, went to the Bulldogs, who outscored the Dons 14-4 to secure the victory.

Emmitt Jones continued to make history for his high school career, putting up a game-high 30 points, while Corey Hagood scored 18. Ty Campbell led South Pemiscot with 24 points.

Hagood took the lead in the next game against Alton, putting up a game-high 18 points for the Dons, with Jones close behind with 15 points. Tyler Lowery also notched 11 points.

Doniphan led Alton 33-17 at halftime, and despite a run by the Comets in the fourth quarter, in which they outscored the Dons 24-15, Doniphan did enough late to secure the eight-point win.

Doniphan’s two final games of the regular season are both at home, against Mountain Grove on Feb. 25 and Kennett on Feb. 27. Seedings for the boys’ Class 4 District 1 tournament have not yet been determined.