Dragonettes Win 52-30; York Boys Defeat Bulldogs 67-54
By Michael Lindsay
The York Institute Dragons and Dragonettes defended their home floor Friday evening as they swept Clay County in non-district action.
The Dragonettes won 52-30 before the York boys won their matchup, 67-54.
GIRLS
York Institute (7-2) won their second game in a 24-hour stretch Friday as they defeated Clay County, 52-30. The victory follows a Thursday win at Oneida, 69-48.
“We were over at Oneida last night and were able to get a lot of girls minutes tonight,” said York head coach Michael Green. “We played a little defensively tonight, trying to speed the game up and get a little offense going. I’m really proud of the effort tonight.”
York Institute was led by 20 points from Gabby Beaty and 10 from freshman Raylee Werner. The Lady Bulldogs were led by Halle Buford with 9 points and Abby Head with 8.
Clay County (6-3) was riding a 5-game winning streak into Friday’s game.
“Clay County is always a top single-A team in the state and one of the few we have on our schedule,” Green said. “That’s the reason we kept them; we don’t want anybody that’s not solid on our schedule.
I told the girls after the game, don’t be surprised when we go down there if we get a different game.”
Friday’s first half was a game of runs as York Institute opened with a 16-4 lead through the first 7 minutes of action. Clay County answered with an 8-0 run of their own to trail 16-12 with 5:37 left in the second period.
“They’d make a little run and we’d change things up defensively,” Green said. “Our trapping hurt them some, but they started succeeding against it so we switched things up.”
York answered Clay’s run with a 14-3 run of their own to lead 30-15 at halftime.
In the second half, the Dragonettes kept their lockdown defense rolling as they took a 42-24 lead into the fourth period, where they closed out the game to win by a final of 52-30.
“To hold that team to 30 points while playing fast, I’m proud of the performance,” Green said.
Up next for York is holiday tournament action Dec. 19-21.
“We’ve got Monday through Wednesday at the Frank’s Shootout in Sparta,” Green said. “I know there’s some good teams down there. We’re hoping to play some good competition. Then next week we go down to Pensacola.”
York Institute (52): Gabby Beaty 20, Raylee Werner 10, Ellie Leffew 7, Emma Pile 6, Reese Beaty 4, Emy Crabtree 3, Cali Franklin 2
Clay County (30): Halle Buford, Abby Head 8, Bella Ashlock 5, Briley Burchett 4, Laci Wix 2, Ella Eads 1, Landrey May 1
BOYS
The York Institute Dragons got back in the win column Friday evening as they defeated Clay County, 67-54. The victory comes after a 69-59 loss at Oneida on Thursday.
It’s a good win; we’ve had such a tough schedule so far,” said York head coach Rodney Pile. “We went over to Oneida last night, and you’ve got to give credit to them. We’ve played some bigger schools, too, and it takes a toll on you. To get a win builds your confidence.”
The Dragons (3-6) were led by 20 points from Blaine York. Heath Wattenbarger posted 15 points along with 12 by Jackson Conatser.
Clay County’s Bryce Bailey posted 16 points, followed by Lance Burchett with 15.
York Institute jumped out to a quick. 12-4 lead midway through the first period and led 21-8 after the quarter.
The roles flipped in the second period as Clay County outscored York 16-5 in the frame to trail 26-24 at halftime. Bailey had 8 of Clay County’s 16 points in the second.
“We came out red-hot and had a great first quarter,” Pile said. “Everything was clicking; we were getting a lot of good looks and holding them to one shot. It felt like the total reverse in the second quarter. We have to be better than that.”
Clay County broke through and took the lead on the first possession of the third quarter via an Alec Kerr three-pointer.
“When Clay County took that lead early in the third, it would’ve been easy to tense up and choke a little bit, but we took it right back and went back and forth.,” Pile said. “We were able to build a little lead and made free throws at the end.”
York Institute responded to the one-point deficit by outscoring Clay County 21-12 in the third to lead 47-36 going into the final period.
The Dragons closed the game strong as they went a perfect 10-10 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter to win 67-54.
“We knew Clay County wouldn’t lay down,” Pile said. “We had to earn the victory. The last few minutes aren’t like the other three quarters. There’s more consequences late, and that stuff can cost you a game. But we’re happy with the results.”
Clay County wastes no time hitting the court again as the Bulldogs host Jellico Saturday afternoon. The girls start at 2, followed by the boys at 3:30.
York Institute will compete in the Frank’s Shootout at White County Monday through Wednesday. York faces McMinn Central Monday at 1:30, East Nashville on Tuesday and will play the third game on Wednesday, opponent and time TBD.
York Institute (67): Blaine York 20, Heath Wattenbarger 15, Jackson Conatser 12, Myles Leffew 9, Zach Byrd 6, Bryson Bilbrey 5
Clay County (54): Bryce Bailey 16, Lance Burchett 15, John Hamilton 7, Keaton Arms 6, Alec Kerr 5, Wyatt Browning 3, Jimmy Burchett 2
