GAME PHOTOS: http://smu.gs/1ZBSgjK
Coach Kevin Hinkle and the Kenston girls basketball team have made winning the first Western Reserve Conference title a main priority this season.
Halfway through the conference schedule, Kenston is right on track. The Bombers defeated conference foe Chardon 54-51, fueled by a quick run at the start of the fourth quarter Jan. 13 night at Kenston High School.
The victory, coupled with the Bombers’ 58-45 win over Willoughby South on Jan. 16, made Kenston 10-4 and 7-0 in the WRC. That puts the Bombers in first place, a game ahead of Mayfield and two games ahead of the Hilltoppers (9-4, 5-2). Obviously, the Bombers hold the tie breaker over both teams.
The Bombers led 41-40 at the start of the fourth quarter when they took control. Kenston’s Michaela Barnes had two nice passes to assist on field goals by Sarah Spehn and Jesse Carpenter. Add in a free throw from Grace Adams, and that made for a mini 5-0 Kenston run and a 46-40 lead.
After that spurt, the Hilltoppers never led again.
Hinkle said that was the key moment of the game.
“That was a big couple of possessions for us,” Hinkle said. “With their ability to hit the three-pointer, any lead can evaporate quickly. That really got us a cushion for us to hold on down the stretch.”
Barnes talked about holding the lethal Hilltoppers offense to just 11 fourth-quarter points including only three field goals.
“We really knew what we had to do defensively,” Barnes said. “We closed out and put a hand in the face of their shooters. We did not let them penetrate to the basket.”
But the Hilltoppers had a shot as Beth Furlich scored on a layup with 1:13 left in the game to pull Chardon to 48-46.
Furlich finished with 12 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Barnes was then fouled with 1:05 left to play, but missed the front end of a one-and-one. Chardon controlled the rebound, but quickly turned the ball over.
There was some controversy surrounding the turnover as the Chardon fans vehemently voiced their displeasure over a foul not being called on Kenston.
Chardon coach Cullen Harris may not have liked the non-call either, but he also said the Hilltoppers had a tough time offensively in the fourth quarter.
“We turned it over,” Harris said. “It was a 50-50 ball and they got every one.
“It is what it is. We didn’t finish. We didn’t deserve to win. We went a little cold in the fourth quarter.”
Corenna Maynard was then fouled. She made both of her foul shots as Kenston’s lead stabilized at 50-46 with just 47.2 seconds left to play.
That was the last possession the Hilltoppers had with a chance to tie or take the lead. After the miss by Barnes, the Bombers were 7 for 10 from the foul line in the fourth quarter to ice the game.
Barnes had an excellent all-around effort for Kenston as she led the Bombers with 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Josie Cremeans was superb for Chardon as she led all scores with 17 points including five 3-pointers.
“She’s a good shooter,” Harris said. “She got good looks and we did a good job of putting her in spots to be successful.”
It was a very balanced effort by the Bombers, as eight different players scored, five of them at least seven points. Kate Taylor and Cailee Rendlesham each came off the bench and scored eight points for Kenston, while Julie Hajdu led the Bombers in rebounds with nine.
“We had some girls step up for us big time in the fourth quarter,” Hinkle said. “We got some big buckets.
“We know teams are going to try to take away Mick (Barnes). We did a good job of keeping balanced and getting big baskets when we needed it.”
GAME PHOTOS: http://smu.gs/1ZBSgjK