Published: December 31, 2008 10:21 pm      

Kerens rallies past Italy, 69-55, to win Kiwanis boys final

Bobcats defense in second quarter keys rally from 12 down

Kerens coach Don Enis called a timeout with his team down by 12 points in the second quarter and implored his players to concentrate on the defensive end.

The Bobcats took the message and took over the game.

Kerens had a crucial 14-0 run in the second quarter, keeping Italy off the scoreboard for more than six minutes. That momentum carried over after halftime as Kerens ran away with a 69-55 victory over Italy in the boys championship game of the Kiwanis Classic on Wednesday at the K. and Ida Wolens Special Events Center.

“I just told them to play defense and be a little smarter with the ball,” Kerens coach Don Enis said.

Italy (14-5) did actually take the lead at 26-24 when Colton Campbell made a 3-pointer for a 26-24 halftime lead, but that shot didn’t to much to stem the momentum that Kerens (12-3) created.

Bobcats sophomore DeAndra McAdams scored five of his 20 points in the third quarter as Kerens built a 45-36 lead.

Pat Faulk, the tournament MVP, scored 10 of his 15 points in the fourth quarter as the Bobcats kept Italy from getting back into the game. Faulk scored double figures in all of Kerens’ games in the tournament.

Sophomore Jasenio Hall led Italy with 22 points.



Kerens 69, Italy 55

Kerens 11 13 21 24 — 69

Italy 16 10 10 19 — 55



Kerens: Stephon Thomas 7, DeAndra McAdams 20, Byron Mitchell 10, Pat Faulk 15, Trey Lindsey 9, Eric Tolliver 8.

Italy: Heath Clemons 6, Oscar Gonzalez 3, Diamond Rodgers 2, Colton Campbell 6, John Isaac 6, Jasenio Anderson 22, Desmond Anderson 3, Dan Crownover 7.

Records: Kerens (12-3), Italy (14-5).