By Michael Lindsay
Girls
The White County Warriorettes improved to 18-2 overall Tuesday night and 2-0 in District 7-3A play as they won at Stone Memorial, 58-51.
“We did a good job early defensively,” said White County head coach Michael Dodgen. “But I didn’t feel like we guarded the three-point line like we needed to. We did a good job on the boards and I’m proud of the way we started. When you’re on the road in this district, I don’t care if you win by 1 point or 25, it’s a win. The coaches and players are so good.”
White County was led by 19 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists from Gracie Clark along with 18 points from Bella Winningham and 13 points by Ava Jones.
“Bella does a good job at stretching defenses,” said Dodgen. “She makes shots and is playing really well right now. We’ve been harping on the girls that an assist is just as good as a score, and Lakelyn (Grasty) distributed the ball really well tonight. Gracie is getting back in rhythm, also.”
Stone Memorial held a 10-8 lead via an Adison Howard basket with 2:40 remaining in the first quarter before the Warriorettes closed the period on an 8-0 run to lead 16-10 entering the second.
White County’s 8-0 run stretched into a 13-0 run early in the second as a Clark basket gave the Warriorettes a 21-10 lead with 6:55 remaining in the second quarter.
“Kyra Fox did what she’s done all year defensively,” said Dodgen. “Lakelyn and Ava did a good job defensively, too. We have to keep getting better every game.”
Stone Memorial battled back from there as a Lily Hinch three-pointer late in the second quarter cut White County’s lead to 30-22 at halftime.
The Lady Panthers pulled within two points midway through the third quarter as they trailed 34-32 with 4:00 left in the frame. White County didn’t surrender their lead, however, as the Warriorettes pushed back ahead by 7 points (41-34) to end the third quarter.
White County extended their lead to double digits with 4:38 remaining via a Clark three-pointer. Stone Memorial pulled back within 6 points with 1:33 left, but the Warriorettes held them off from there to win by a 58-51 final score.
The Warriorettes improve to 18-2 overall and 2-0 in District 7-3A play while Stone Memorial falls to 6-11 overall and 0-2.
Up next for White County is another trip to Crossville as the Warriorettes are scheduled to play at Cumberland County (10-7, 2-0) on Friday while Stone Memorial is scheduled to play at Livingston Academy (12-7, 0-2).
“There’s no nights off,” said Dodgen. “That’s a tribute to the coaches and kids here. You have to show up and play your A-game.”
Boys
The Stone Memorial Panthers got back in the win column Tuesday evening as they defeated White County, 60-44.
“I’m tickled with our guys and how they competed,” said Stone Memorial head coach Neil Capps. “You know what you’re going to get out of Sparta; they’re going to come compete and well-coached. We had to play four long quarters to be in the game. They shot it well early and we weren’t locked in defensively.”
Stone Memorial was led by 25 points from Cade Capps along with 12 points each by Kane Bosanko and Briggs Lowe.
“Kane is a tremendous teammate and will do whatever you ask him,” said coach Capps. “We’ve got several guys starting to step up and do nice things. We’re learning as a team and stepping into our roles. Hopefully, we continue to evolve and grow in those rolls and get where we need to be by February.”
Stone Memorial jumped out to an 8-2 lead before White County battled back to tie the game at 15-15 at the end of the first quarter.
White County’s comeback wasn’t done there as the Warriors took a 24-22 lead via a Tripp Pinion basket with 4:11 remaining in the second quarter. After trading baskets through the rest of the second period, Stone Memorial held a 34-32 lead at halftime.
The Warriors retook a 35-34 lead early in the third quarter before Stone Memorial retook their advantage at 39-37 via a Kadyn Page three-pointer with 5:02 left in the frame.
Stone Memorial entered the fourth quarter with a 42-39 lead and extended their advantage to 49-43 via a Bosanko and-one with 6:04 left. The Panthers maintained their lead from there as they outscored White County 18-5 in the fourth quarter to win by a 60-44 final score.
Stone Memorial improves to 13-5 overall and 1-1 in District 7-3A while White County falls to 7-11 and 1-1. Up next for Stone Memorial is a trip to Livingston Academy (11-8, 1-1) while White County returns to Crossville to face Cumberland County (2-12, 1-1) on Friday.