Kennett swept both of their games in the Unionville Holiday Tournament By Dave Conard, Sports Editor KennettTimes.com
Kennett junior Maalik Rochester continues to fuel the Blue Demons offense.
KENNETT SQUARE—As New Year Day approaches and families in Chester county gather to share football, fun and a countless variety of menus featuring classic family dishes and traditions, the Blue Demons have been cooking up a winning combination of their own.
Ask any coach what the most important ingredient is in their recipe for success and to a man or lady as the case may be, they will utter one word, Practice!
“We have playing well,” said Kennett head coach Mike Fergus. “But with the way that the schedule is in the beginning of the year, with all of these tournaments, the one thing that we don’t get to do enough is practice. I am looking forward to next week when we get to work on some things and tighten up our game.”
Blue Demons senior captain Brock Sheets is a force inside that has helped Kennett get off to a great start.
Kennett (6-3) got off to a quick start paced by freshman Vaughn Jenkins, who was 4-of-5 from the field in the opening period, posting the Blue Demons to a 10-2 lead early en route to a 14 point day, where he connected on a 7-of-11 shooting day.
Nueva Esperanza Academy (4-6) senior point guard Samuel Rodriguez got the Toros back in the game by knocking down two bombs from beyond the arc mid way through the second period as the lead was shaved to four.
As the momentum was shifting in Esperanza’s favor, Kennett senior Brock Sheets threaded the needle to Maalik Rochester streaking in the lane to break an 8-0 run by the Toros, following a Rochester three pointer the threat has been thwarted as the Blue Demons escaped the first half with a 19-15 edge.
“It’s great to be a part of a team that has so much potential,” said Sheets. “We have some young guys like Vaughn (Jenkins) really playing a huge role in our success. We made districts lat year for the first time and this year we want to qualify for states, to do that we have to win theses games.”
Rochester, who had a game high 18 points, put up seven points in the third, including another tre, to help Kennett build a ten point lead as they headed into the final frame, where he and senior Spencer Hyland took over.
Hyland (10,1-2,11) recorded all but two of his 11 points in the final period complimenting three field goals from Rochester as the Blue Demons held serve, emerging from the fray with an important 55-45 win.
“These games are huge,” added Fergus. “We scout every body, but you never know what game you caught them on, they have some very talented players and this was a good test for us, that’s what makes holiday tournaments like this fun. I am very encouraged about the possibilities this season as we are still extremely young and still learning every game.”
Kennet senior Spencer Hyland help the lead the way against the Toros with eleven points.
“We look to take what they gave us in the second half,” said Spencer Hyland. “They adjusted to our pressure pretty well and in the second half we had to use our transition game more to get the ball inside to Maalik and Vaughn. I had a couple of good looks and was able to knock them down, as a senior all you can ask your final year is to have a chance at the playoff and states and I really think this team is capable of doing some great thing this year.”
Esperanza 4 11 11 19 -45
Kennett 12 7 17 19 -55
Nueva Espiranza (45)
Bercidia 2, 0-0, 2; Keel 10, 1-1, 11; Lugo 2, 0-0, 2; Wells 1, 0-0, 1; Gamble 4, 1-2, 5; Forte 10, 0-0, 14; Jones 3, 0-0, 3; Rodriguez 6, 0-0, 6. Totals 43, 2-5, 45. Three point FG Forte (2), Jones, Rodriguez (2).
Kennett (55)
Hyland 10, 1-2, 11; Kobayashi 2, 0-0, 2; Neel 0, 2-2, 2; Rochester 18, 0-2, 18; Tumelo 2, 0-0, 2; Sheets 4, 0-0, 4; Jenkins 14, 0-0, 14; Totals 50, 5-8, 55. Three point FG- Rochester (2)
