By Michael Lindsay
The #1-seeded White County Warriorettes are district champions for the first time since 2020 following Monday night’s 68-55 victory over Livingston Academy in the District 7-3A championship game at Tennessee Tech University.
“This district is so tough with so many good teams,” said White County head coach Michael Dodgen. “It’s a gauntlet. Mission one is completed, and now we have to go get mission two that starts Friday.”
Livingston held multiple leads in the first half before the Warriorettes pulled away in the second.
“We answered every run they had,” added Dodgen. “I am really proud of our kids. We got great effort off our bench to counter with what the starting 5 did. Bella Winningham knocked down some big shots in the third quarter. Celeste and Ava are a tough load.”
Gracie Clark led White County with 19 points followed by a double-double from tournament MVP Ava Jones who posted 15 points and 11 rebounds. Lakelyn Grasty recorded 14 points along with 12 by Bella Winningham.
“Everybody that questioned our guards early on, they’ve rose to the occasion every single time,” said Dodgen. “I’m really proud of that group of kids.”
Junior Ellie Butler led Livingston Academy with 24 points along with 20 by Keely Mullins.
The Lady Wildcats led 14-13 after the first quarter and held an 18-16 advantage two minutes into the second period before a Jones and-one gave White County a 19-18 lead.
The Jones basket sparked a 13-0 run by White County over the next 3:30 as the Warriorettes held a 29-18 lead with 2:41 left until halftime.
Livingston battled within 8 late in the frame before a Winningham three-pointer at the buzzer gave White County a 33-22 lead at halftime.
A Butler basket early in the third cut Livingston’s deficit to 9 points, but the Warriorettes took over from there as they extended their lead to 17 points (47-30) with 2:50 left in the third.
White County led by as many as 19 points (55-36) in the second half before winning by a 68-55 final margin.
The Warriorettes improve to 29-2 overall and will host Marshall County in the first round of the Region 4-4A tournament on Friday at 7 p.m.
“You’ve got to go do what you do,” said Dodgen. “You don’t change anything. They have to guard you and come into our gym and play. Enjoy this tonight, but it’s back to work tomorrow.”
