Latta tops Kingston ladies in opening round

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  • Crockett Uber • For The Madill Record The Kingston boys basketball team poses with their runner-up trophy from the 2020 New Year’s Classic.
    Crockett Uber • For The Madill Record The Kingston boys basketball team poses with their runner-up trophy from the 2020 New Year’s Classic.
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The Kingston Lady Redskins fell prey to the visiting Latta girls 38-25 in the first round of the New Years Classic Jan. 9 at the KMAC.

The Lady Redskins of Coach Chad Rumer played their trademark stifling, swarming the ball, full court pressure game. They only allowed 38 total points.mThey only allowed one player to score in double figures and that was barely at 10 points. Only six players managed to score. Sounds like a sure thing recipe for success. There is only one problem with this scenario. You must be able to outscore the opponent.

At the tip off the Lady Redskins looked to be ready for the task. They continued with the lineup that has not changed from the season opener. Tyla Bohannon, Dana Wagnon, Kassie Bailey, Britt Henderson and Pressley McKnight. Avri Weeks for now, continues with a limit to her time on the court. Latta girls come in to the tournament with a sparkling 10 and 2 record. They are currently ranked #6 in Class 2A. They are tall. Very tall. They appear to have four girls in excess of 6’ . And they all are good shooting, mobile players. Their backcourt was steady and fast. And they are tall.

The first quarter was a battle. Both teams were contesting every shot, and Latta could only manage one three point score and two field goals with free throws for a 9 point quarter. The Lady Redskins could only manage one field goal by Wagnon and one free throw by Weeks. Score at the end of the first, 9 to 3.

In the second, McKnight hit a three and was fouled on the attempt, she converted her free throw for a four point play. Weeks and Henderson added four and two points each. Despite the scoring woes, they only trail by five, 18 to 13, going in to the half.

The Lady Redskins continued to struggle to find the offense in the third. McKnight had another three pointer. Henderson had a field goal but missed two free throw attempts. Weeks was two of two from the line, Bohannon, one of two. The score after three, 31 to 22, still only a nine point game.

In the fourth, one Latta girl fouled out and several others had four fouls. That still does not add to your point total. The Lady Redskins could not manage a field goal and scored three points total, all on free throws. Final score, Latta 38, Lady Redskins 25.

Weeks led the Lady Redskins in scoring with nine points. McKnight had eight point, Henderson 4, Bohannon and Wagnon had 2 each.

Note: This years Classic is featuring four of the top six teams in Class 2A. Dale girls are currently #2 followed by Howe at #3. Silo is #4 and Latta #6. All these teams advanced to the second round. We could very easily be seeing a preview of the state tournament in the winners bracket the next two nights. This games will be exciting and hotly contested. The Silo girls are undefeated at 11 and 0 and maybe the underdog to win the Classic.