04 Feb Kennedy Eagles Soar to 47-Point Win Over Hercules Titans in Girls Basketball

Kennedy High senior captain and forward Almbria Gallon elevates over a defensive double team in a 68-21 win Friday at home over Hercules High.

Story and photos by Joe Porrello

Kennedy High’s girls varsity basketball team delivered a statement win Friday in Richmond, crushing Hercules High 68-21. 

The 47-point blowout marks the Eagles’ largest margin of victory in over five years.

Winning their fourth straight game this season and against the Titans, Kennedy High sits at 13-3 overall. 

 

In contrast, the 3-9 Hercules High suffered their fourth straight loss and worst defeat this season — eclipsing a 38-point loss to the Eagles earlier this month. The last time Kennedy lost to the Titans was in 2017 —  with eight wins and two forfeits since.

 

From the opening tip, the Eagles’ defense set the tone, forcing turnovers and jumping out to a double-digit lead within the first four minutes — a lead they never relinquished.

“They came ready to rock,” said head coach Timothy Logan. “Our game plan was to put pressure on them defensively and get easy buckets off of that.” 

 

Senior captain Almbria Gallon set the tone early, disrupting the Hercules offense, dominating the boards, and contributing to the scoring.

Kennedy’s fast-paced attack overwhelmed the Titans, leading to several fast-break opportunities. By halftime, the Eagles had a commanding 38-14 lead.

 

Kennedy didn’t let up in the second half. A full-court press limited Hercules to just two points in the third quarter while the Eagles racked up their highest-scoring quarter of the game with 25 points. 

“Our girls were energized and played with intensity,” said Logan. “It seemed like they wanted this game even more than I did.”

 

The game all but decided, substitutes from both squads got playing time in the final quarter —  though not for long, as game clock operators continuously ran down time to keep the score from getting more lopsided.

The Eagles now hold a 7-2 record at home and have just one loss on the road.

“It’s a good feeling to win at home, but we like going away and shutting down other teams’ gyms too,” said Eagles junior point guard Amyira Shaw.

 

Though the Titans have lost seven of their previous eight with the only win coming via forfeit, the large deficit was still unfamiliar territory. Their last three defeats came by an average of just eight points, and their 21-point output matched a season low. 

“We’re just trying to stay tight and not get too rocky or take any team lightly,” Shaw added. 

 

Experiencing four consecutive winning seasons before forfeiting their 2020 and 2021 campaigns, then going winless in 2022, the Eagles are getting back to their old ways. Finishing 5-14 overall last year, they have already more than doubled their winning output.

Winless at 0-17 last season, Hercules High has just one winning overall or league season since 2018.

 

 Both teams will hit the road for their next matchups to face Vallejo High. For the Titans, their game against the Redhawks on Friday will be their season finale. Kennedy, however, is looking for redemption before the playoffs begin.

“Our next two games are really important,” Logan said. “We’re going to have to lock in.”

 

The Eagles lost to the Redhawks earlier this month, along with Albany High, whom they conclude the regular season against Friday on their senior night. All three teams are vying for first place in the TCSL and remain separated by just one game, with the Cougars currently ahead.

“We need revenge,” said Shaw. “We’re going to come in and do our thing.”