Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Kerens guard Tiani Hall eyes a layup ahead of the Cayuga defense during both team’s 19-2A opener.

Monitor Photo/Russell Slaton
Kerens guard Blair Blue dishes a pass up court during a Jan. 6 fast break opportunity against Cayuga.
 

KERENS–The Kerens Lady ‘Cats fell 47-30 to the Cayuga Lady Wildcats Jan. 6 in both teams’ District 19-2A opener.
Kerens took a 28-27 lead with 5:30 left in the third period, when Tiani Hall drove for a bucket. Following that, Cayuga outscored Kerens 20-2 to secure their first district win.
Kerens took an early 5-2 lead, culminating with a Hall steal and basket. Another Hall steal and bucket tied the game at 10 with 6:30 left before halftime. Two Gracelynn Foreman field goals tied the game again twice late in the first half, after which Blair Blue nailed a three-pointer with 2:16 remaining before halftime to put Kerens in front, 19-16.
Cayuga ended up taking a 21-19 halftime advantage, but Kerens came back to lead 22-21 when Hall hit a three-pointer 10 seconds into the second half. Thirty-seven seconds later, two Hall free throws put Kerens up 24-23, then another third-period Hall basket gave Kerens its last lead.
Cayuga was winning 42-30 entering the fourth period, during which the Lady Wildcats played ball-control offense and smothering defense the rest of the way.
Hall led Kerens with 17 points, followed by Blue with six points on two three-pointers, Foreman with five points and Denaysia Kenny adding two points.