Gallery by Tina Laney
White Sulphur Springs – When sophomore Kennedy heats up, she can shoot teams out of the building.
The Greenbrier East standout did not exactly shoot Mingo Central out of Colonial Hall, but she definitely jumpstarted a 69-57 win for the Spartans in the consolation game of the Battle for the Springhouse played at The Greenbrier.
After a tough night Friday in a loss to Logan, Stewart exploded for 20 first-half points and tallied 29 to lead the Spartan attack.
“Kennedy had a tough night last night, but we had a hard time getting her open,” Greenbrier East head coach and current West Virginia Governor Jim Justice said. “Today, she just lit it up. That is all there is to it.”
When the halftime horn sounded, the Miners were left chasing the Spartans down 40-25.
“We know Stewart is a great player and we knew we had to check her,” Mingo Central head coach Kim Davis-Smith said. “She got off to a hot start and had 20 in the first half. That was kind of the difference.“
Although Greenbrier East kept Mingo at arm’s length all night, the Miners never went away, holding a 32-29 edge over the final two quarters.
Coming off a lopsided loss to Class AAA North Marion Friday, the Miners head coach was pleased with the fight in her team.
“I think we played a little better in the second half. We just have some different personnel right now at this last part of the season,” Davis-Smith said. “We are adjusting to that and we are really young. We are learning who we are still in this late part of the season. I thought we showed some heart today and some sense of urgency. I am proud of that bounce back.”
Hanna Fuller scored 12 points and had eight rebounds for the Spartans and Ava Workman added 14 points. Mackenna McClure grabbed 11 rebounds and Stewart had nine.
The win was the 11th in the last 12 contests for Greenbrier East.
“It just took a little while to get all of our stuff in. We have one junior on the floor and all of the rest are freshmen and sophomores. We had the big win against Wyoming East and we caught fire,” Justice said. “Then we had the snow days that hit and the sickness hit. We got dull and a game like (the Logan loss) had to come. We had played Mercer Christian, Hurricane and Oak Hill, then Logan in 50 point games. We can’t do that and we were asking for a (loss).”
Addie Smith had 26 for the Miners, while Delaney Grimmett scored 14 and Gianna Akers had 10.
“(Mingo Central) has a solid basketball team and they have played a lot of people really well. They move the ball well and they have the Smith girl who can shoot the eyes out of it,” Justice said. “They really know how to move the ball and they know how to play. They are well coached, I give them their due.”
GE: 23 17 12 17 – 69
MC: 14 11 13 19 – 57
Greenbrier East
Ava Workman 14, Kennedy Stewart 29, J Banton 2, Mackenna McClure 4, Hanna Fuller 12, Jada Waller 6, S Banton 2. Totals: 24 12-21 69.
Mingo Central
Delaney Grimmett 14, Kerissa Bradford 2, Gianna Akers 10, Addie Smith 26, Jayden Bailey 5. Totals: 19 12-17 57.
