Save for a one-point loss to Greenwood, the Kosciusko Whippets would be sitting pretty at 5-0 this season. That lone loss, however, might be just what galvanized players, as the Whippets went undefeated last week.
Kosciusko swept the three-day J.Z. George Tournament to enter Thanksgiving week with a 5-1 record.
“I think the team came in (to the tournament) more defensive-minded,” Kosciusko coach Eleazarus Greenleaf said. “We worked on rebounding at practice, and they did a good job of boxing out and rebounding and getting up the court. I think they played a very good game overall during the tournament.”
Kosciusko blew past Winona 87-47 on Nov. 14 in both teams’ tournament opener.
The Whippets led 20-16 at the end of the first quarter and 40-31 at halftime. Kosciusko outscored Winona 31-9 in the third quarter and 16-7 in the final period to secure the win.
Three Whippet players scored in double digits.
O'Corya Forrest was 8 of 14 from the field and ended with a game-high 19 points. Terry Skinner added 13 and Calvin Banks finished with 12. Skinner was 3-for-4 from 3-point range, and Sam Rigby went 2 of 2 from 3-point territory.
“We had a quite a few guys who scored, so the scoring was balanced,” Greenleaf said. “I think their main focus was to show that we’re dominant on the defensive end of the court and that they’re more physical, as far as rebounding goes.”
Winona player Jalen Daniels led the Tigers in scoring with 15 points, while Sean Merritt added eight.
The Whippets defeated the host Jaguars 79-49 on Nov. 15 behind JaQuan Hall’s team-high 14 points and Forrest’s 13. Banks pitched in with nine.
Kosciusko went 12 of 17 from the foul line (71 percent), as E'shavious Mays went 3 of 3 from the charity stripe. The Whippets forced 26 Winona turnovers. Banks led the way with six steals and Omarion Cobbins tallied four. Skinner accumulated two blocks.
The Whippets defeated Ethel 81-49 Saturday to claim the tournament championship.
Forrest had 16 points, five steals and one assist. Skinner posted 12 points, with three assists, steals and rebounds to go with one block. Banks ended with 14 points, eight rebounds, four steals and one assist. Antonio Harmon tallied 10 points, four rebounds and steals, and three assists.
“I think it was a great tournament overall for the kids, and they deserved it,” Greenleaf said. “They played well, and they deserved to win.”
Kosy was set to visit Greenwood on Tuesday
LADY WHIPPETS
The Kosciusko (4-2) girls swept the J.Z. George Tournament to complete the program sweep of the competition.
This year’s version of the Lady Whippets is youthful, but Kosciusko coach Cory Guyton can see the maturation of his players with each game.
“We’re a young group, but we’re learning how to handle adversity a little bit better game by game,” Guyton said. “It’s just going to take us playing to jell together the way I like… We just have to be patient and work on the little things. We have a long way to go, and we can’t get complacent and satisfied. As long as the Lord keeps blessing us and we continue to work, I think we’ll have a successful season.”
Mikhayla Vaughn and Amiyah Greer both poured in 13-point efforts in the Lady Whippets’ tournament opener on Nov. 14 to give their team a 44-37 victory of Winona. Greer was 6 of 8 from the field while Vaughn shot 4 of 8. Greer also added three steals, and Katie Mitchell and Vaughn added two steals apiece. Greer’s six rebounds led Kosciusko while Diamond Rayford and Kayla Davis contributed two boards apiece. Vaughn was named player of the game.
Jakayla Seawood had a team-high 15 points on Nov. 15 to help push Kosciusko past J.Z. George 54-33 in the tournament’s second-round matchup.
Ariel Fleming’s 12-point performance rounded out the Lady Whippets’ double-digit scoring efforts. Greer ended with nine points.
Seawood and Flemming were co-players of the game for their efforts. Seawood also had seven rebounds while Flemming had three steals.
In Saturday’s championship, the Lady Whippets defeated Ethel 50-36.
Greer and Vaughn tallied 10 points apiece, and Katie Mitchell scored eight points in the fourth quarter. Mitchell earned Kosciusko player of the game honors.
Vaughn had a team-high five steals and Fletcher led the way with eight rebounds.
