Kassing breaks Hornets’ single-season scoring record with 30-point effort against Mustangs

MENDON, Ill. — Yes, Kenzie Kassing was aware she had set the record.

And yes, she remembered — with an obvious wince — how close she came a year ago before coming up one point shy.

The Brown County girls basketball team’s sensational sophomore guard continued to rewrite the Hornets’ record book Monday night, scoring 30 points en route to becoming the school’s single-season scoring leader.

Kassing’s latest scorebook filler — her fourth 30-point game of the season — piloted Brown County to a 72-57 victory over Mendon Unity, the Hornets’ seventh straight triumph.

“The record means a lot, especially since I missed it by a point last year,” said the 6-foot Kassing, who punctuated her performance with an 11-point fourth quarter.

Kassing currently has 645 points and is averaging 21.5 points per game, including 24 consecutive games in double figures and 15 efforts of 20 points or better. 

That allowed Kassing to pass Katey Flynn, who had scored 635 points in her senior season (2022-23). Who she passed made the record even more significant for Kassing. 

“I grew up admiring Katey, and we’re real good friends,” she said.

Brown County coach Dave Phelps considers Kassing a “unique talent.”

“She wasn’t shooting the ball especially well tonight, but she finds a way to score,” Phelps said. “She’s one of those kids who can get open.”  

Kassing is a threat from all reaches of the court, ranging from along the baseline, attacking the basket or swishing a 3-pointer.

“I have felt more confident inside this season,” said Kassing who has also climbed to No. 7 on Brown County’s career scoring list with 1,279 points.

Vanessa Markert is Brown County’s career scoring leader with 2,072 points, stockpiled from 2011-15. At her current pace, Kassing would end her career with about 2,700 points.

The victory ended Brown County’s regular season at 23-7. Unity dropped to 14-16, seeing a three-game victory streak snapped. Brown County’s win was also its sixth straight over Unity.

Brown County pulled away from Unity 21-10 in a decisive third period, buoyed by 10 points from Lena Anderson.

Hope Ingram (14) and Anderson (12) also scored in double figures for Brown County. Kassing also grabbed 10 rebounds, while Maggi Henry pulled down seven.

Brown County will enter the postseason later this month having cemented a fourth straight 20-win season and a 105-22 record in that span.

“We’re confident going into the postseason,” Kassing said. “We know who we are.”

Saylor Barry (18) and Kodi Duke (18) combined for 36 points for Unity. Duke (11) and Barry (10) also anchored the Mustangs’ rebounding with a combined 21 boards.

“Kodi and Saylor both had great games for us,” Unity coach Cole Thompson said. 

Thompson said his club, despite being down by more than 20 at times, “did not give up” and that was important because of what time of the season it is.

“We’re on the right track with the postseason coming up,” he said.