Kosciusko closed its regular season with a perfect 10-0 record in Region 4-4A play after wins against West Lauderdale and Leake Central.
The Whippets defeated West Lauderdale, 64-46, last Tuesday to sweep the season’s series.
A trio of Kosciusko (22-4) players scored in double figures. JaQuan Hall posted 18 points, Ellis Armon added 15 points and Antonio Harmon recorded 12 points.
Kosciusko closed its regular season with a 57-52 win against Leake Central.Calvin Banks and Harmon tallied 16 points apiece, and Hall finished with 14 points.
“To go undefeated in district play was a huge accomplishment, especially for the kids,” Kosciusko coach Eleazarus Greenleaf said. “They deserve it. They worked hard for it. They understand that it’s just the beginning."
The Whippets were rewarded for the perfect league record with a first-round bye in the Region 4-4A tournament. They play the winner of Tuesday’s Louisville-Northeast Lauderdale contest. While the unblemished league record is impressive, Greenleaf said it’s time to shift focus to the new season.
”Going undefeated in regular district play is just the beginning,” Greenleaf said. “I think they’re focused more on the tournament, as far as getting out there and competing and trying to do something special. Winning a district championship and competing for a state championship, that’s where their mindset is right now.”
GIRLS
The Lady Whippets split a pair of games last week to end the regular season at 16-9 overall and 3-7 in Region 4-4A games.
Kosciusko defeated West Lauderdale, 80-36, last Tuesday and dropped a 63-33 game at Leake Central on Friday. Jakyra Young paced all Lady Whippets scorers with 21 points against the Lady Knights. Aaliyah Amey and Jakalya Seawood pitched in with 13 points apiece, and Diamond Rayford ended collected 11 points.
The Lady Whippets led by 46 points in the game,Rayford scored a team-high nine points against Leake Central, while D’Naylah Willams finished with six points. Young chipped in with 12 rebounds.
“I think we’ve grown from the beginning of the season to now,” Kosciusko coach Cory Guyton said. “We hit different strides in different areas, which is a good thing to see. We’re not exactly everywhere we want to be, but I think we’re doing pretty well.”
Guyton believes his team’s lessons in the regular season will prove beneficial as it enters play in the Region 4-4A tournament. The Lady Whippets, which will be a No. 5 seed, was set to play host Northeast Lauderdale in the tournament opener on Tuesday.
"It’s kind of amazing with this team, you never know who’s going to be your go-to player.,” Guyton said. “Anybody can get hot at any different time. They’re getting better on the defensive end, and we just want to go in and play hard, be open-minded about our roles and be ready to play. It’s 0-0. Anything can happen… We have to play hard and do what we have to do to try to continue to play.”
