Lady Spartans Sweep Spartan Bowl Shootout to Open Season

By Steve Dice

The Connersville Lady Spartan basketball team opened the 2025-26 regular season at 2-0 following wins over Southport and Decatur Central in an early season shootout at the Spartan Bowl on Saturday.

Connersville sophomore Kendyl Bottomley averaged a double-double on the day with 22 total points and 25 rebounds. Senior Serenity Pennington had 34 total points including 25 in Connersville’s 70-52 game 2 win over Decatur Central. Senior Ahniyah Bennett led the Lady Spartans with 17 points in their convincing 61-14 win over Southport in game 1 and contributed 27 points on the day. Bennett, Bottomley, and Pennington combined for 83 of Connersville’s 131 points on Saturday.

The Lady Spartans took control of their matchup with Southport early with a 15-1 run in the first quarter. Connersville took a 33-10 lead into the halftime break and led 50-14 after the third quarter. The Lady Spartans closed the contest with Southport with an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter and outscored the Lady Cardinals 28-4 in the second half.

Senior Addison Jones was in double figures in game 1 with 11 points. Junior Kinze Van Meter had 7 points with 7 rebounds against Southport. Junior Myleigh Perry rounded out the game 1 scoring with 6 points for Connersville.

Bennett collected 4 steals against Southport with 2 assists and 2 rebounds. Bottomley had 11 points, 13 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocked shots in game 1. Pennington added 4 rebounds. 4 assists, and 4 steals.

The Lady Spartans took an early 14-7 lead in the first quarter in game 2 against Decatur Central and went into the halftime break up 30-21. Van Meter was in double digits in game 2 with 16 points to go along with 6 rebounds and 1 assist. Bottomley contributed 11 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 blocked shot. Bennett scored 10 points with 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal. Senior Maddie Harrison collected 3 rebounds and 1 steal.

The Lady Spartans will next be in action in a non-conference road matchup with the 2024-25 Sectional Champion Delta Lady Eagles on Friday. Connersville will host Shelbyville in a non-conference matchup on Saturday.

Connersville Athletics
Connersville Lady Spartan Basketball