By Richard L. Gaw
Staff Writer

No matter the level or gathered proclivity of skill an athletic team has, its first game of the season often serves as a first glimpse into the crystal ball of its future fortunes. 

For the Kennett High School Girls’ varsity basketball team – all underclassmen – their 50-30 loss to visiting Boyertown on Nov. 29 provided several such glimpses into what is likely to work for the young team this season and what needs improvement on both sides of the floor. 

With the support of two three-point corner jumpers from Laki Frazier midway through the first quarter, the Blue Demons stayed close to the Bears, while Dahlia Winter held high-scorer Rhian Harper to just two free throws. As the second quarter began, however, Kennett’s poor passing led to turnovers and opposing buckets, starting with a coast-to-coast layup by Chloe Engler that jumped Boyertown out to a 15-10 lead early in the quarter. Engler’s basket was followed by an inside shot by Samirah Marshall that jumped the Bears’ lead to 17-10 and forced a Kennett timeout with 5:47 remaining in the first half. 

While a layup by Ellie Harper put Kennett on the board in the second quarter with 3:47 remaining, they were the team’s only points in the quarter, while on the other end, Boyertown – behind floor general guard Engler - banged home 19 points that sent them into halftime with a commanding 30-12 lead.

If there was any quarter that gave Kennett Head Coach Scott Whiteside insight into his team’s upcoming campaign, it was their defensive play in the third quarter, that held Boyertown to just four points, while on the offensive side, the Blue Demons made a cursory threat with a nine-point quarter that gave hints of a comeback. As the last quarter began, however, Boyertown added to its 13-point lead on baskets by Engler, Harper, Marshall and Alexia Shimukones.

“On the offensive end, we need to cut down on our turnovers and make the simple play instead of the hard play, but I saw some of our leaders step up and be more aggressive in taking it to the hoop,” said Whiteside, who pointed to Frazier and Harper as the teams’ two most prominent offensive targets heading into the new season. “On the defensive end, Dahlia Winter played a physical game against their opposing center (Rhian Harper).”

While it is certain that Kennett’s youth will serve as its key disadvantage during the 2025-26 season – there are no seniors on the team – Whiteside provided an important disclaimer that the twin intangibles of “effort” and “defense” are not relegated to upperclassmen only.

“Anybody can play good defense - a freshman can play just as hard as a senior,” he said. “Just because we don’t have seniors doesn’t mean we will not be able to play good defense. If we play good defense, we will be in ballgames this season.”

Boyertown (1-0), who was led by Marshall with 14 points and Harper with 13 points, will face Fleetwood on Dec. 5. Kennett (0-1), who was led by Frazier with 14 points and Harper with 10 points, will host Elkton in a non-league game on Dec. 5. 

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email [email protected].