White County split a basketball doubleheader against Wilson Central on Monday night in Sparta, with the Warriorettes earning a win and the Warriors falling to the Wildcats.
Lady Wildcats 16 – Warriorettes 78
The Warriorettes rolled to 3-0 with a dominant victory over the Lady Wildcats.
The outcome of the game was never in doubt as Sparta raced out to a 24-point lead after one quarter enroute to the victory.
“I thought we played really good in the first quarter,” said WCHS head coach Michael Dodgen. “I thought in the second quarter we kind of went through the motions. We play a great team tomorrow night in Coffee County, and when you play a great team… you can’t take four minutes off. It’s hard to do in these types of games. It gives the younger kids a lot of opportunities to play.”
The Warriorettes began the game shooting the ball effectively. Morgan Quick and Gracie Dodgen each scored three three-pointers in the frame, and the WCHS defense stifled Wilson Central as they earned a 26-2 lead at the end of the opening frame.
Things slowed down in the second quarter, with Mia Murray opening the frame with seven straight points to give Sparta a 33-4 lead. Coach Dodgen quickly pulled the majority of his starters as the Warriorettes took a 39-7 lead into halftime.
Sparta continued to cruise in the second half, earning the 62-point win.
Quick led the way with 16 points. Dodgen added 14. Nia Powers and Alaina Stiles each tallied 10 points. Coach Dodgen said the balanced scoring is reflective of the makeup of his team.
“I think we’ve got six or seven kids that can put the basketball in the hole,” said coach Dodgen. “We’ve still got to develop a backup point guard, but our top seven or eight are getting the job done for us every night so far and that’s what you’ve got to have happen to be successful.”
The Warriorettes have dominated their opening three games. They have an average margin of victory of 43 points.
They will face a tough test Tuesday night as they will travel to take on Coffee County (2-0). Dodgen said they took advantage of the blowout to try some things they will attempt do against Coffee County.
“You turn your attention towards what you need to do,” said Dodgen. “We worked on some things in the second half that we’re going to try to do tomorrow. It’ll be a little bit tougher.”
Tipoff between Coffee County and White County is set for 6 p.m.
Wildcats 65 – Warriors 53
The Wildcats controlled the majority of the game as they gave the Warriors their first loss of the season.
The Warriors struggled to find a rhythm throughout the contest.
“We got outplayed at every aspect,” said WCHS head coach Eric Mitchell. “We got outrebounded. They got all the loose balls. We didn’t box out at all… I think we’re more talented, but talent doesn’t always win.”
The Warriors scored the first six points of the game, including an alley-oop dunk by University of Mississippi signee Grant Slatten, but the Wildcats then rattled off a 18-3 run to end the quarter and take an 18-9 lead.
The Wildcats stretched the lead to 31-16 before Kade Clark and Slatten each made baskets to cut the deficit to 31-20 at halftime.
The Warriors cut the deficit to five after Slatten scored four straight, but a five-point possession by Wilson Central stretched the lead to 42-32, and the Warriors would not recover as the Wildcats held on for the 12-point win.
“We didn’t know a whole lot about Wilson Central, but they came in 0-3,” said Mitchell. “We were shell shocked in the first quarter. I thought we battled back. Cut the deficit to five in the second half and then they just took over. We’ve got some things to work on before district play.”
Slatten tallied 22 points for the Warriors. Clark added 14.
The Warriors will return to the court Tuesday night when they travel to Coffee County. Mitchell said he expects his senior-laden squad to be more motivated.
“I certainly hope so,” said Mitchell. “When you’re a senior and this is your basketball team, and this is your last go… somebody’s got to pick it up. We just can’t let one game effect your season, because you want to be the best in February.”
Photos by Noah McKay:
