Penister, Blanks carry England to repeat title

HAZEN — England’s Lady Lions made it back-to-back regional titles Saturday after defeating Poyen 40-31 in the Class 2A East Region championship game.

England used an 18-point performance by 5-4 freshman guard Tatayana Penister and 13 points from junior forward Shavonta Blanks to secure the title and a No. 1 seed in next week’s 2A State Tournament at Marmaduke.

“We’re going to get some rest and try to get everyone healthy,” said England Coach David Mackey.

“We will take Sunday off and get back to work on Monday for our first-round game at state.”

Poyen led for the majority of the first quarter, but the Lady Lions regrouped and led 11-10 to start the second quarter. They held the lead for the rest of the game.

Leading 27-21 at the half, England pushed its lead to 10 points on a Penister basket at 38-28 and again at the 1:06 mark of the third quarter at 40-30.

Each team managed five points during the fourth quarter.

Penister hit both ends of a one-and-one free-throw attempt with 1:46 to play to put the Lady Lions up by 10 at 44-34.

Poyen got 15 points from junior Abby Fowler and 12 points from senior Emma Goodman.