Farmington guard Kate Jenkerson (12) scores after an offensive rebound against Farmington during third quarter action in the championship game of the Black and Red Classic on Friday night in Herculaneum, Mo. (Matt King, Daily Journal)

North County guard Lydia Hasemeier steals a pass in front of Farmington guard Madison Klinkhardt (15) during fourth quarter action in the championship game of the Black and Red Classic on Friday night in Herculaneum, Mo. (Matt King, Daily Journal)

Farmington guard Trinidy Brawley looks at a potential 3-point shot during third quarter action in the championship game of the Black and Red Classic against Farmington on Friday night in Herculaneum, Mo. (Matt King, Daily Journal)

North County forward Allison Scott, left, turns to shoot before drawing contact from Farmington forward Sophie Hall (10) during second quarter action in the championship game of the Black and Red Classic on Friday night in Herculaneum, Mo. (Matt King, Daily Journal)

By MATT KING
[email protected]
HERCULANEUM, Mo. – The decision to step away from competitive cross country freed extra time for Kate Jenkerson to prepare for her junior basketball season.
The point guard dribbled through backcourt pressure, attacked the rim and found open teammates as Farmington repeated its Black and Red Classic championship on Friday night.
The Knights also thrived defensively in an early-season showdown against MAAA rival North County, allowing just 10 second-half points to prevail 47-31.
Jenkerson totaled 13 points with three assists while also guarding the perimeter, and was selected as tournament MVP at the sparkling new facility at Herculaneum High School.
Sophomore forward Lila Roth provided a game-high 14 points and three steals for Farmington (6-0) while also making the all-tournament team.
North County (5-1) also entered the contest still unbeaten, but could not overcome 23 turnovers or a 10-0 run in the first quarter by its opposition.
Raegan Pierce scored nine points on three shots from beyond the arc, and Allison Scott compiled eight points, 10 rebounds and three steals for the Lady Raiders.
Emma Roper drilled a 3-pointer to punctuate the first quarter, and Pierce connected to begin the second after their team briefly trailed by eight.
But the Knights crowded the lane and routinely double teamed Scott, who converted 6-of-7 free throws while recording a single field goal that consequently drew a foul.
Jenkerson countered with an aggressive drive for a 3-point play. Her offensive rebound and kickout assist on a Roth 3-pointer restored the lead to 20-12.
Trinidy Brawley finished a left-handed layup in between, and provided nine points, six rebounds and three steals during the victory.
North County also capitalized on second chances before halftime. Lydia Hasemeier buried an 18-footer from the spot where she corralled a long carom.
Roper sank a triple from the right corner following one of 17 Farmington turnovers, but Madison Clay answered with a key putback to salvage a 26-21 halftime lead.
Both teams showed more offensive patience after the intermission, and Farmington seemed to benefit more frequently at the defensive end.
The Knights seized control with a 9-0 surge. Jenkerson made a steal and layup before Roth swiped possession and fired a dazzling sideline pass to Clay for a spinning finish at 35-23.
Ella Scott began the fourth quarter with a driving layup, and Roth crashed down the middle of the paint to score in a collision for a 40-26 separation.
North County netted only two baskets in a nearly 16-minute span until Pierce swished a corner in the final seconds. She joined Allison Scott as all-tournament choices.
Roth drove the baseline to score, and Brawley made it 45-28 with a conventional 3-point play. Clay chipped in eight points, and blocked three shots inside.
Knights freshman Sophie Hall had the only point from either bench. The teams are scheduled for a conference clash on February 2.
Roper tallied eight points with five rebounds, and Hasemeier made four steals.

Farmington forward Madison Clay deflects a pass away from North County forward Reese Bequette as Madison Klinkhardt, right, also defends during first quarter action in the championship game of the Black and Red Classic on Friday night in Herculaneum, Mo. (Matt King, Daily Journal)

North County guard Raegan Pierce eyes a 3-point shot against Farmington during third quarter action in the championship game of the Black and Red Classic on Friday night in Herculaneum, Mo. (Matt King, Daily Journal)

Farmington forward Lila Roth (45) controls a rebound over North County forward Emma Roper (32) during second quarter action in the championship game of the Black and Red Classic on Friday night in Herculaneum, Mo. (Matt King, Daily Journal)

North County guard Jovie Peterson (1) looks for an open teammate during second quarter action in the championship game of the Black and Red Classic against Farmington on Friday night in Herculaneum, Mo. (Matt King, Daily Journal)