CRISFIELD — Kent County High School’s girls closed out December with a lopsided victory, flipping the script written about how they opened the month.
Led by Jayla Sisco’s 24 points, KCHS dismissed Washington, 61-15, Dec. 28. This was day two of a six-game basketball tournament hosted by Crisfield High School.
The Trojans scored 19 points over the first eight minutes, more than enough as it turned out to defeat Washington’s girls. Sisco led the 19-5 start with eight points, followed by Love Jackson with seven and Talicia Wright with four.
Kent County’s lead swelled to 39-11 at halftime, with Sisco totaling 16 points by the break.
The locals scored 13 of the first 15 points of the second half to salt away the win.
They traveled with nine, and all saw playing time.
Jackson and Wright joined Sisco in double digits with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Kate Cannon added four points and Sanorra “Star” Parker had a field goal to round out scoring from the starters.
All told, eight players contributed offensively to the win. Kaliyah Smith, Saniyah Jones and Abigael Lachance added two points apiece.
The day before, Snow Hill escaped Kent County, 50-45, closing the game on a 17-4 run to avert an upset.
This was a rematch of the Dec. 6 season opener that Snow Hill at home won handily, 54-16.
No doubt that Sisco has been a significant addition — her first game was Dec. 17 — but also noteworthy is a better team effort on defense.
“We played full-court man [to man] this time, building our stamina up to that, after playing zone defense the first time,” Kent County coach Tyray Johnson said about the Dec. 27 rematch with Snow Hill.
Plus, the Trojans did a better job of breaking the press and staying out of foul trouble.
Trailing 14-7 after the first frame, KCHS closed the half on a 19-11 run to pull ahead, 26-25. By the end of three quarters the spread was 41-33.
In the middle two periods, Wright and Sisco each scored 11 points and Jane Cleary added six; Sisco knocked down three 3-pointers.
Snow Hill re-asserted itself in the final frame, closing the game on a 17-4 flurry with MarLynn Milbourne and Marrah Milbourne combining for 13 points.
MarLynn Milbourne led all players with 18 points, including 11 in the second half.
Marrah Milbourne contributed 16 points.
Kent County also had a pair of double-digit scorers in Sisco (13 points) and Wright (11 points).
Cleary added nine points, Cannon contributed eight, and Jackson and Jones each scored two.
Kent County traveled with 10, and they all played.
Weather permitting, Kent County will pull back the curtain on its 2025 schedule tomorrow at home against unbeaten Kent Island. Tip-off is at 4 p.m.
Due to weather-related school closings, the Trojans have not practiced since Jan. 2.