Minus two starters, Kennedy wins again

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Kennedy Cougars keep winning. Somehow.

“Heart,” forward Cody Bell said. “We've been able to play tough. We've made some key plays in big situations.”

Just like last night, when Kennedy rallied from eight points down in the second half to push past Waterloo West, 57-47. This wasn't pretty, that's for sure.

It was actually pretty ugly at times, to tell the truth. But that's how this team has had to win without two of its top players.Guards Josiah Coleman and Darius Fuller are suspended because of a violation of school policy and won't return until Jan. 14.

“I'm very proud of them,” Kennedy Coach Bob Fontana said. “And those two guys (Coleman and Fuller) have been outstanding in practice for us. My hat is off to the kids because they are doing what we're asking them to do.”

Which is play good defense and do whatever it takes offensively to outscore the opponent. West (3-3, 2-2 Mississippi Valley Conference) held a 36-28 lead midway through the third quarter, but Kennedy (5-1, 3-1) worked its way back by getting stops and finally putting together some good possessions on offense.

Center Elliott Christian's and-one three-point play tied it at 40 with 4:10 to go, then guard Alex Hayden hit a corner 3 to put Kennedy ahead for good. It was the Cougars' lone trey of the game in 17 attempts.

Trevor Heitland's driving hoop made it a sudden five-point lead that Kennedy was able to nurse the rest of the way.

“Our defense really picked up in the second half,” said Bell, who had a team-high 15 points. “We were able to lead that to offense. We got some good rebounds, too, and that really helped us.”

Christians made all seven of his free throws, adding a team-best 13 rebounds. Point guard Heitland added nine points and nine boards.

“We grinded it out,” Fontana said.

Tremendous 6-foot-6 forward Dale Jones led West with 19 points and 15 rebounds.

Here is a short video interview with Bell: