Yorktown’s Kitty Kats put together an impressive week, earning back-to-back victories over Three Rivers and Kenedy with strong team defense and balanced scoring.
On Friday, Jan. 23, Yorktown hosted Three Rivers and controlled the game from start to finish, securing a 50–26 win. The Kitty Kats set the tone early as Gracie Stehling delivered a defensive block with the score at 2–0. Yorktown extended its lead in the second quarter behind Palyn Koopmann, who hit a deep three to make it 22–8. Moments later, Claire Person assisted Koopmann on another three to push the advantage to 24– 13 at halftime.
Yorktown came out aggressive in the third quarter, with Stehling finishing a fast break to extend the lead to 27–13. Trinity Flores added a three from the right side, assisted by Koopmann, to make it 29–15. Koopmann continued to dominate on both ends of the floor, recording a steal and layup, followed by a three on the next possession to stretch the lead to 37–16. She also added a block with 2:41 remaining in the third quarter. Late in the game, with Yorktown ahead 47–24, Stehling and Caleigh Good each added a block as the Kitty Kats closed out the 50–26 victory.
Koopmann led the way with 20 points, followed by Stehling with 14. Flores scored 6, Paige De-Leon added 5, Person finished with 3, and Good chipped in 2.
The Kitty Kats carried that momentum into an away matchup against the Kenedy Leopards on Tuesday, Jan. 27, earning a decisive 72–38 road win. Koopmann opened the scoring with a three-pointer, helping Yorktown jump out to an early lead as the first quarter ended 17–7. Flores sparked the offense to start the second quarter with a three, and Yorktown went into halftime firmly in control, 34–16.
Yorktown continued to execute in the third quarter, running the same opening play as the second period, but this time Flores found an open Stehling down low for an easy basket. The Kitty Kats extended their lead to 52–25 by the end of the third. Stehling once again opened the scoring in the fourth quarter as Yorktown cruised to the 72–38 victory.
Koopmann led all scorers with 25 points, while DeLeon added 11 and Stehling finished with 10. Flores and Lyla Tover each scored 7, Good, Person, and Lilly Taylor contributed 4 points apiece to round out the balanced scoring effort.
