Smith-Taylor, Maried-Lidd propel Warriors
CEDAR RAPIDS — Either way, a winning streak was destined to die.
It was evident early that it wouldn't be the one enjoyed by Cedar Rapids Washington.
The Class 4A 14th-ranked Warriors led from wire to wire and routed No. 6 Cedar Rapids Kennedy, 76-49, in a Mississippi Valley Conference girls' basketball game last night at Kennedy High School. It was the Warriors' 10th straight win over the Cougars.
"I think this was the most energized we've been all season," said Washington Coach Frank Howell. "We had lost some close games recently, and we had a sense of urgency."
Washington (8-4 overall, 7-3 MVC) had lost its previous three games by a total of nine points and took out its frustrations on an extremely sluggish Kennedy outfit.
"We really wanted to out-hustle them and let our defense create some offense," said point guard Renesa Smith-Taylor, who posted 17 points and nine assists. "We got a lot of fast breaks off our steals and blocks."
Kennedy (8-3, 7-3) watched a six-game winning streak come to a harsh end. The Cougars committed 28 turnovers, 20 in the first half.
Cougars Coach Dennis Roloff had none of them, but took the blame nonetheless.
"My fault," he said. "We should have had a shootaround today. I should have brought them in, no matter how cold it was outside. We played like we were in bed all day. No desire. No intensity. My fault."
The teams combined for 22 turnovers in a first quarter that ended with the Warriors in front, 15-10.
Washington snapped out of it and pulled away. A 9-0 run midway through the second period made it 33-17, and Ashley Piper's 3-pointer at the second-quarter horn gave the Warriors a 38-21 lead at intermission.
The Warriors opened the second half with an 12-3 surge to open a 26-point lead, and the Cougars never got closer than 17.
Washington's Camille Marie-Lidd got Kennedy all-stater Jade Rogers into early foul trouble and finished with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Post partner Tia Dawson added 17 points.
"We worked a lot over the summer on getting our posts stronger," Marie-Lidd said. "Physically and mentally, both."
Alissa Oney tacked on 11 points for the winners.
Mariah Duke paced Kennedy with 15 points. Rogers added 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Washington is at Moline (Ill.) today. Kennedy is at Clinton on Tuesday.
n Contact the writer: (319) 368-8857 or jeff.linder@gazcomm.com
Jonathan D. Woods/The GazetteCedar Rapids Washington guard Renesa Smith-Taylor (35) goes for a loose ball against Cedar Rapids Kennedy guard Mariah Duke (22) during the fourth quarter last night at Kennedy. Smith-Taylor recorded 17 points and nine assists in Washington's 76-49 victory.
