By Michael Lindsay
Dragonettes Outlast DeKalb County In Frank’s Shootout Opener, 47-45; Reese Beaty Drops 26 Points
The York Dragonettes opened their play in the 2023 Frank’s Shootout Tuesday afternoon as they defeated DeKalb County, 47-45.
“Our energy was off today,” said York head coach Michael Green. “It started with me. DeKalb’s a much better team than what we thought based on film. They hit a bunch of threes and Ella VanVranken is a really good player. We had a hard time with her.”
York Institute held a 2-point lead (45-43) with 21 seconds left before Dragonette point guard Reese Beaty hit two free throws with 7 seconds left to put her team ahead by four points, 47-43.
Beaty led the Dragonettes with 26 points while Ella VanVranken led DeKalb County with 24.
DeKalb County took a 12-8 lead with 1:55 left in the first quarter via a DC#14 three-pointer. York responded with back-to-back baskets as a Beaty corner three-pointer with 41 seconds left gave the Dragonettes a 13-12 lead after one period.
A DeKalb County three-pointer tied the contest at 16 early in the second quarter before York Institute pushed ahead to a 27-21 lead at halftime.
The Tigerettes opened the third quarter with a 5-0 run to cut their deficit to one point at 27-26.
York Institute responded with a run of their own over the next 2 minutes as they scored 8 consecutive to lead 35-26 with 2:48 left in the third. YAI led 38-30 entering the fourth quarter.
The Dragonettes held a multiple-possession lead through a majority of the fourth quarter until a pair of VanVranken free throws with 21.2 seconds left cut York’s lead to 45-43.
“We had some terrible turnovers late and they’d go down and score,” Green said. “Hats off to DeKalb; they battled until the end.”
Beaty put the game away from the free-throw line, however, as she made a pair with 7 seconds remaining to put her team ahead 47-43.
VanVranken made a shot at the buzzer to make the final score 47-45 in favor of the Dragonettes.
York Institute improves to 8-2 overall while DeKalb County falls to 5-5.
The Dragonettes are scheduled to play next on Wednesday at 3 p.m. against Webb Bell Buckle while DeKalb County will face Grace Christian Academy at noon.
York Institute (47): Reese Beaty 26, Raylee Werner 7, Emma Pile 6, Emma Cooper 3, Cali Franklin 3, Zoe Gibson 2
DeKalb County (45): Ella VanVranken 24, Allie Melton 6, Tess Barton 6, Chloe VanVranken 6, Avery Agee 3
Dragons Cruise To 74-41 Victory over TN Heat
York Institute picked up a 33-point victory Tuesday evening as they defeated the TN Heat, 74-41.
Andrew Hall led York Institute with 15 points along with 10 by Will Beaty.
York jumped out to an 8-1 lead early in the first and held a 26-3 lead after one period.
The Dragons kept control as they led 55-13 at halftime and 66-32 after three quarters. York closed out the fourth quarter to win by a 74-41 final score.
The 4-5 Dragons are scheduled to play White County on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
York Institute (74): Andrew Hall 15, Will Beaty 10, Heath Wattenbarger 9, Bryson Bilbrey 9, Myles Leffew 7, Broc Parker 6, Zeb Threet 6, Jackson Conatser 5, Amari Lawson 5, JD Anderson 2
