No. 15 (6A) Cedar Rapids Kennedy started the fourth quarter on a 10-2 run, cut the lead to two points, and made things real interesting in the season-opener for No. 5 (3A) Mount Vernon on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at Kennedy.
“Playing against a good team like that, especially with Bentley Dill, anything can happen, anything is possible,” senior Courtney Franck said. “We trusted the process and played together.”
Dill finished with 26 points, but her last-second half-court heave did not connect, and the Mustangs were able to hold on, 58-56, for new coach Jacob Misener. He got his first win at his alma mater.
“To do it here was pretty cool,” Misener said. “Family was in town for the holidays. I’ve never sat on this side of the gym before.”
Mount Vernon (1-0) extended its winning streak to 26 games after finishing last year with a 3A state title.
“There’s stuff we’ve got to work on,” Franck said. “But that’s normal for the first game of the season.”
Sophomore Savanna Wright led Mount Vernon with 19 points on a night every starter had at least seven points.
“She was confident before, but now she’s more confident,” Franck said of Wright. “She’s able to go off the dribble and create.”
Franck had seven points to go with a team-best 10 rebounds. Twin sister Taylor Franck had 11 points, including several key buckets in the fourth quarter.
“Those three sisters are a handful to contain,” Misener said. “We settled on whoever had the best matchup … they were on the ball.”
Kennedy (0-1) cut it to 48-45 early in the fourth quarter, then Taylor hit a driving layup. Dill hit a 3-pointer, and Taylor drove and scored again.
“We call her the world’s fastest kid,” Misener said. “I think you saw that tonight.”
Courtney and Taylor each converted one additional driving layup in the final minutes to hold the Cougars at bay.
“I’m in midseason form with my stress level,” Misener said.
Mount Vernon led the entire game, going up 17-8 after one quarter and 28-23 at half. The Mustangs were up 10 after three quarters, but had to respond when the Cougars went on a run to start the fourth quarter.
Junior Rylee Rasmussen had 10 points in her first start at post. Quinn Pershing had eight points, including two 3-pointers.
The defense was a little soft. Kennedy didn’t have a turnover until late in the third quarter.
“That is something we need to consider … how much do we turn the heat up on defense?” Misener said. “We’ll settle in, get in a little better shape. We have players than can disrupt, but we have to decide how much to turn up the heat in the full court and half court.”
Misener also was a little disappointed by foul shooting. The Mustangs were 6-of-13 at the line.
“A win is a win,” Franck said. “We’re happy we got it done.”
Mount Vernon was scheduled to play at No. 4 (5A) Cedar Rapids Prairie on Tuesday, Dec. 2, and head to Grinnell for their WaMaC opener Friday, Dec. 5. They play No. 6 (5A) Iowa City West on Dec. 6 at Rivalry Saturday in Anamosa.
Their home opener is a non-conference game against No. 15 (3A) Mid-Prairie on Monday, Dec. 8.