James Kenan’s No. 1 Y’anna Rivers drives the ball for a layup at the against the Bulldogs’ defenders. (Kareem Brown|mountolivetribune.com)
WARSAW — The James Kenan Lady Tigers put on an impressive performance from start to finish, overpowering the Wallace Rose Hill Lady Bulldogs with a convincing 51–29 victory. Strong defense, quick steals, and consistent scoring helped the Lady Tigers control the game in every quarter.
First Quarter: Lady Tigers Set the Tone Early
The game opened with momentum firmly on James Kenan’s side as No. 1 Y’anna Rivers of the Lady Tigers knocked down a big three-pointer to get things started. That energy carried over immediately, as No. 1 Y’anna Rivers followed up with another basket off a steal. The Tigers continued to apply pressure, extending their early lead with a basket by No. 32 Aleyah Wilson.
Facing a tough start, Wallace Rose Hill called a timeout with the score at 7–0. However, the Lady Bulldogs were unable to convert after the break. James Kenan capitalized once again with a deep three-pointer from No. 3 Gabii Outlaw, while the Bulldogs finally got on the board with a layup. The quarter ended with the Lady Tigers firmly in control.
Second Quarter: Tigers Dominate Both Ends of the Floor
James Kenan wasted no time in the second quarter, opening with another basket by No. 32 Aleyah Wilson. After a rebound and a foul, No. 32 Aleyah Wilson headed to the free-throw line, converting one of two. The Lady Tigers continued their strong play as No. 1 Y’anna Rivers drilled another three-pointer, further extending the lead.
Wallace Rose Hill answered briefly with a steal and a layup, but the Tigers quickly regained momentum. No. 32 Aleyah Wilson scored again, followed by another steal and basket from the same player. The Bulldogs struggled to find offensive rhythm, missing opportunities at the free-throw line.
Despite missing a pair of free throws, the Lady Tigers stayed aggressive, grabbing the rebound and converting a three-pointer by No. 11 Kendria Smith the Lady Bulldogs responded with a layup and a foul, completing a three-point play. The half came to a close with James Kenan holding a commanding lead.
Halftime Score: James Kenan Lady Tigers 23, Wallace Rose Hill Lady Bulldogs 7
Third Quarter: Defense Fuels the Tigers’ Momentum
Wallace Rose Hill opened the second half with a jump shot for two, but James Kenan quickly answered. No. 32 Aleyah Wilson scored an and-one layup, setting the tone for the quarter. Moments later, No. 1 Y’anna Rivers came up with a steal and finished with a layup, showcasing the Tigers’ defensive pressure.
The dominance continued with another basket from No. 32 Aleyah Wilson. On the defensive end, No. 1 Y’anna Rivers delivered a key block as the Bulldogs attempted to drive to the basket. Although Wallace Rose Hill managed a basket, James Kenan stayed in control, earning trips to the free-throw line where No. 32 Aleyah Wilson converted one of two.
Fourth Quarter: Lady Tigers Seal the Victory
In the final quarter, No. 1 Y’anna Rivers displayed excellent ball-handling and finishing ability, scoring two strong baskets against Bulldog defenders. Wallace Rose Hill struggled to respond offensively, managing only limited production from the free-throw line after a foul on the Tigers.
James Kenan maintained composure down the stretch, controlling the pace and closing out the game with confidence.
Final Score: James Kenan Lady Tigers 51, Wallace Rose Hill Lady Bulldogs 29
Tigers Roar Late to Outlast Bulldogs in Thrilling Showdown
James Kenan Tigers Defeat Wallace Rose Hill Bulldogs, 52–49
The James Kenan Tigers and Wallace Rose Hill Bulldogs delivered an exciting, back-and-forth battle that kept fans on edge from tipoff to the final buzzer. With momentum swings in every quarter, the Tigers ultimately pulled away late to secure a hard-fought 52–49 victory.
First Quarter: Early Punches and Momentum Swings
The Tigers struck first as No. 4 CJ Hill opened the scoring with a basket. The Bulldogs struggled to find their rhythm early, while James Kenan took advantage at the free-throw line. No. 12 Kentrell Morrisey went 1-for-1, followed by No. 2 Zamarion Smith calmly sinking three consecutive foul shots.
Wallace Rose Hill began to settle in, knocking down two free throws before igniting a spark with a putback layup. Another Bulldogs basket tied the game at 6–6. From there, the Bulldogs surged on a 9–0 run, highlighted by a big three-pointer and another score that forced a Tigers timeout.
Out of the break, the Tigers suffered a miscommunication turnover, but quickly answered with defense. No. 12 Kentrell Morrisey recorded back-to-back steals, converting one into a tough, contested layup to cut the deficit. The opening quarter ended with both teams locked in a highly competitive contest.
Second Quarter: Bulldogs Maintain the Edge
Wallace Rose Hill opened the second quarter with confidence, scoring twice to extend their lead to 16–9. James Kenan responded as No. 12 Kentrell Morrisey attacked the basket for a layup and later added a free throw after drawing contact.
Defense again fueled the Tigers’ momentum when No. 12 Kentrell Morrisey picked off another pass and finished an and-one layup, forcing a Bulldogs timeout. The Tigers stayed aggressive, with No. 1 Eli Avent finishing a strong layup before the Bulldogs answered with one of their own.
As the buzzer sounded to end the half, No. 5 David Zelaya delivered a clutch layup for James Kenan, cutting the deficit heading into the locker room.
Halftime Score: Wallace Rose Hill 21, James Kenan 18
Halftime Recap: Bulldogs Lead, Tigers Lurking
At the break, Wallace Rose Hill held a slim three-point advantage, using strong rebounding and consistent finishes at the rim. James Kenan remained within striking distance thanks to the scoring efforts of No. 12 Kentrell Morrisey and No. 2 Zamarion Smith. The Tigers’ buzzer-beater to end the half provided momentum and confidence heading into the second half.
Third Quarter: Tigers Flip the Script
James Kenan came out firing. No. 2 Zamarion Smith opened the half with a heavily contested layup, and although the Bulldogs answered, the Tigers continued to push the pace. Baskets by No. 12 Kentrell Morrisey helped James Kenan seize the lead, while Bulldogs turnovers began to mount.
Momentum fully swung when the Tigers drained a big three-pointer while drawing a foul, followed by a steal and layup from No. 2 Zamarion Smith. Another basket by No. 12 Kentrell Morrisey forced Wallace-Rose Hill to call a timeout, with the Tigers leading 32–26.
Even after the Bulldogs briefly answered, James Kenan stayed in control. No. 3 Jeremiah Hall knocked down a layup, No. 2 Zamarion Smith hit a deep three, and No. 11 Mari Graham and No. 1 Eli Avent added baskets inside. The Bulldogs struggled to respond as the Tigers closed the quarter on a strong run.
Fourth Quarter: Tigers Hold Strong Under Pressure
With eight minutes remaining, James Kenan turned up the intensity. No. 2 Zamarion Smith opened the quarter with a basket, though the Bulldogs answered back. Missed free throws briefly kept Wallace-Rose Hill within reach, but No. 12 Kentrell Morrisey powered through traffic for a key layup.
The Tigers capitalized on another Bulldogs miscommunication, with No. 12 Kentrell Morrisey scoring again. Late fouls and missed free throws on both sides kept the game tight. Wallace-Rose Hill knocked down a crucial three-pointer to cut the deficit to three, but No. 2 Zamarion Smith answered immediately with a three of his own.
After a Tigers timeout, the Bulldogs continued to fight, trimming the lead again. However, No. 3 Jeremiah Hall responded with a timely layup to maintain control. Despite late fouling and free-throw opportunities, Wallace-Rose Hill couldn’t complete the comeback, and time expired with the Tigers on top.
Final Score: James Kenan Tigers 52, Wallace Rose Hill Bulldogs 49
