Story and Photos by Rusty Ellis
The White County Warriorettes took a big step on Tuesday night towards clinching the top spot in the district with their 70-23 win over Macon County.
The Warriorettes controlled the game the game from the start, as Alaina Stiles knocked down three first-quarter three-pointers to led White County to a 24-9 lead heading into the second quarter.
The Sparta defense locked down in the second, holding the Tigerettes to just five points in the frame. This, coupled with 22 points of their own added up to a 46-14 lead at the halftime break.
The third saw White County completely put the game away, as they outscored Macon 14-3 to push the lead event further, and the Warriorettes cruised in the fourth to the 70-23 win over the Tigerettes.
Nia Powers led the way with a game-high 26 points, while Stiles added 11 points for head coach Michael Dodgen.
“I thought offensively, we were really good early,” Dodgen said. “We moved the ball well, and made some open shots…we got the job done, and we got some kids some rest in anticipation for our big game on Friday against Cumberland County.”
Stiles’ third three in the opening quarter pushed her past the 1,000-point mark for her career in Sparta, something Dodgen says is just a testament to how much work she’s put in.
“She’s been here for four years, and she’s done really well for four years,” Dodgen said. “She’s in the gym religiously and constantly, and she’s going to have a great future ahead of her.”
The final two games of the regular season will feature a back-t0-back, home-and-home matchup with Cumberland County, as Dodgen knows his team will need their best performances to win against a really talented Lady Jets team.
“We’ve just got to prepare, Crossville is really good defensively,” Dodgen said. “We’ve got to take care of our business. We can’t worry about anyone else right now…we went on the road and got three big wins at DeKalb, Livingston and Upperman. When you do that on the road, you’ve got to hold serve at home, so hopefully we do that Friday night.”
The Warriors followed up with a big 74-39 win over the Tigers.
The game started slow offensively for both teams, but it was the Warriors who held a slim 10-6 lead over the visitors heading into the second frame.
There, the Warriors managed to get some consistent offense going. It all culminated in a Thomas Brock buzzer-beating three, giving White County a 35-16 lead heading into the half. WCHS continued to pour it on in the third quarter, outscoring Macon 15-9 to push the lead to 26 points at 51-25.
In the fourth, White County once again cruised to the victory and won 74-39 over the visiting Tigers.
The win pushes the Warriors’ record to 15-8 on the season and 6-4 in district play with two games left for head coach Eric Mitchell’s squad.
“I didn’t think we played well at the start, but they just kept plugging away,” Mitchell said. “Hopefully we’re turning a corner…basketball’s a tournament game and you want to be playing your best. We’ve got all the pieces, we’ve just got to put them together.”
The difference in the game for Mitchell was his team’s energy level from the second quarter on, as it seemed like the Warriors kicked it into another gear and really took control. The head coach also knows he’ll need that same energy against Cumberland County later this week.
“With this team, it’s hard to complain when you put 73 on the board,” Mitchell said. “Shooting the three has to get better…We turned the corner last Monday against Warren when we got the 50-50 balls, and then we did the same against Livingston. That’s what it’s going to take, because Crossville is really good.”
White County will meet Cumberland County in Sparta on Friday, beginning at 6 P.M.
