
Lady Tiger Shamya Johnson, with foes on her heels, makes a three-point attempt during a game against South Lenior. (Robert Taylor|mountolivetribune.com)
WARSAW — The James Kenan Lady Tigers showcased a dominant performance on their home court Friday night, surging past the South Lenoir Blue Devils with an overwhelming 47-9 victory. After a slow start, the Tigers took full control of the game in the second half, using an aggressive defensive strategy and a relentless offensive push to secure a convincing win.
The game opened with both teams struggling to find an offensive rhythm, as early shot attempts clanked off the rim and defensive pressure dictated the pace. James Kenan’s Gabriel Outlaw got the Tigers on the scoreboard first with a smooth mid-range jumper, but the Blue Devils quickly responded with a pair of inside baskets to take an early lead.
Turnovers plagued the Tigers in the opening minutes, with Y’anna Rivers managing a steal but losing control of the ball on the fast break. Aleyah Wilson had an opportunity to cut into the deficit at the free-throw line but failed to convert both attempts. South Lenoir capitalized on these missed chances, using a fast-break layup to edge ahead.
Despite the early struggles, the Tigers’ defense showed promise. Labria McGowan applied strong defensive pressure, forcing South Lenoir into difficult shots. James Kenan managed to keep the game close but trailed 4-2 at the end of the quarter.
James Kenan came out of the break with renewed energy, determined to shift the momentum. Za’Niya Brown sparked the offense with a mid-range jumper, injecting life into the Tigers’ attack. The defense tightened up significantly, forcing multiple South Lenoir turnovers that halted their offensive flow.
Rivers continued to play aggressively on both ends, coming up with another steal. This time, she pushed the ball down the court, drew a foul, and converted one of two free throws to tie the game. Shortly after, Wilson drove inside through traffic and finished a contested layup, giving James Kenan its first lead of the night.
South Lenoir’s offense stalled under the Tigers’ growing defensive intensity, as McGowan disrupted passing lanes and Outlaw added pressure on the perimeter. James Kenan’s defensive effort led to fast-break opportunities, but a few missed layups kept the score close.
By halftime, the Tigers had built a modest advantage, heading into the break leading 12-6.
Coming out of the locker room, James Kenan looked like a different team. With their defensive strategy locking down the Blue Devils, the Tigers took control of the game’s momentum. Wilson opened the half with an aggressive drive to the basket, finishing through contact for a crucial two points. On the next defensive possession, Rivers grabbed a rebound and launched a perfect pass to Brown, who converted the fast-break layup.
McGowan’s defensive effort continued to frustrate South Lenoir, as she forced a turnover that led to another quick transition basket from Outlaw. With each possession, James Kenan’s confidence grew, and the offense began flowing seamlessly.
Brown, now in rhythm, sank a deep three-pointer to push the Tigers further ahead. Wilson added another pair of free throws after drawing a foul inside, extending the lead.
Meanwhile, South Lenoir’s offense had completely stalled. Their shooters struggled to get open looks, and their inside game was neutralized by James Kenan’s tough interior defense. A critical rejection from McGowan sent a message that nothing would come easy for the Blue Devils in the paint.
By the time the quarter ended, James Kenan had flipped the game on its head, outscoring South Lenoir 21-1 in a dominant showing.
With a commanding lead, the Tigers showed no signs of slowing down. Wilson started the final period at the free-throw line, confidently sinking both attempts. Although she missed a layup shortly after, the Tigers quickly regained possession, and Rivers capitalized by stealing the ball and finding Brown for another easy transition score.
South Lenoir had a brief opportunity to cut into the deficit when they earned a trip to the free-throw line. However, they missed the shot, and even after securing an offensive rebound, they couldn’t capitalize. James Kenan forced another turnover, maintaining their defensive intensity.
Brown attempted a three-pointer that fell short, but the Tigers’ aggressive rebounding kept possessions alive. On the next trip down the court, McGowan muscled inside for a strong layup, pushing the lead to 39-9. Outlaw then drained a three-pointer from the wing, stretching the margin even further.
The final moments saw South Lenoir desperate to break through James Kenan’s defense, but they found little success. Rivers orchestrated another fast break, setting up McGowan for a smooth jump shot to make it 42-9.
With the game well in hand, James Kenan continued to showcase their depth. A free throw was added before Brown punctuated the Tigers’ dominance with a last-second three-pointer, sending the home crowd into cheers as the buzzer sounded.