By Rusty Ellis
The York Institute Dragonettes took an eight-point lead into halftime, and continued their excellent play in a dominant 58-38 win over White County in the Frank’s Christmas Shootout Championship on Wednesday.
York jumped out to a 14-7 lead early thanks to a pair of Emy Crabtree three-pointers, but at that point in the game after a foul called on Ellie Leffew in the post, York head coach Michael Green was assessed two questionable technical fouls and ejected from the game.
This gave Nia Powers four free throws, which she promptly knocked down, and after a bucket on the ensuing possession, the lead was cut down to 14-13 heading into the second quarter.
Sparta took an early 18-14 lead in the frame, but York closed the half on a 17-5 run to take a 31-23 lead into halftime following a Reese Beaty buzzer-beating three.
The second half is where the game got out of hand, as the Dragonettes outscored White County 27-15 to earn the 20-point victory and win the tournament.
Beaty finished with a game-high 30 points, while Crabtree added 11. Powers led the Warriorettes with 18 points.
Assistant head coach Michael Johnson had to finish the game out for Green, a role he’s familiar with. In the end, he was just proud of the team for getting the win.
“We had a little adversity from the start, and we had to just steady ourselves,” Johnson said. “It wasn’t like we went on any big runs, we just grinded from that point on…Nia Powers is a load defensively, and I thought we did as good a job defending her in the second half as anyone could.”
Johnson emphasized remaining focused despite leading by double-digits for a majority of the second half, knowing the kind of firepower White County had.
“It’s not over until it’s over, especially with White County,” Johnson said. “(Michael Dodgen) runs one of the best programs in the Upper Cumberland, and I always enjoy playing them…we appreciate White County putting this one on year after year, and we appreciate the hospitality Coach Dodgen always shows us.”
