By Michael Lindsay
Warriorettes Complete Perfect 10-0 Run Through District 7-3A Play With 58-42 Win At Livingston
The White County Warriorettes (26-3, 10-0) closed out the 2024-’25 regular season with a road win in District 7-3A play on Friday as they won at Livingston Academy (17-10, 5-5), 58-42.
“Defensively, in the first half we were really good,” said White County head coach Michael Dodgen. “When you have to come on the road to a tough gym to play in, it’s a big win.”
White County already had the #1 seed in the upcoming District 7-3A tournament secured entering the game.
“A lot of people will say this game didn’t mean anything, but this one matters,” said Dodgen. “Any time you lace up your shoes and put your uniform on, the game matters. You want to play your best; this was two good basketball teams that went at each other.”
Gracie Clark led the Warriorettes with 20 points and 8 rebounds along with 14 points from Bella Winningham and 11 by Lakelyn Grasty. Livingston was led by 23 points and 13 rebounds from senior Ellie Butler.
Winningham passed a career milestone in the win as she eclipsed 1,000 career points via a three-pointer early in the fourth quarter.
“Congratulations to Bella for getting her 1,000th point,” said Dodgen. “That’s a big milestone for her.”
An Ava Jones basket midway through the first quarter gave White County an 11-4 lead over the Lady Wildcats. The Warriorettes led 15-10 entering the second quarter, where they pushed their lead to double-digits (25-14) via a pair of Kyra Fox free throws with 53.5 seconds left in the first half.
White County maintained their double-digit lead through three quarters as they led 39-27 entering the fourth.
Back-to-back Winningham three-pointers extended White County’s lead to 18 points (45-27) with 6:41 remaining. The Warriorettes maintained their lead through the fourth quarter before going on to win by a 58-42 final score.
Up next for both teams is the District 7-3A tournament next week at Cumberland County High School. White County enters as the overall #1 seed while Livingston enters as the #4. The Lady Wildcats will face Stone Memorial in the 4/5 game on Wednesday with White County facing the winner in the semifinals on Friday.
“The good thing is we’ve qualified for the region,” said Dodgen. “We’ve got to take care of ourselves and get healthy, and when it’s our turn to play on Friday night we’ve got to be ready for when it matters.”
White County Boys Hold Off Wildcats For 50-35 Victory
The White County Warriors (12-15, 5-5) wrapped up their regular season in the win column Friday evening as they won a crucial District 7-3A game at Livingston Academy (15-12, 5-5), 50-35.
“Defensively, I thought we were really good,” said White County head coach Eric Mitchell. “We’ve been shooting the ball better and it’s been a long time coming. We’re finally getting our rotations down and guys are playing into the roles.
“I knew we had to be ready,” added Mitchell. “We haven’t won up here in a few years, and coach Jimmy Miller does such a great job with his guys in that matchup zone.”
Lucas Dickerson led the way with 14 points along with 13 by Tripp Pinion. The Warriors connected on nine three-pointers in the win.
“Lucas Dickerson had a good night tonight,” said Mitchell. “If you knock down shots, that opens things up for Tripp to get into the lane. We’ve really worked on shooting and free throws the last month. Hopefully, we’re turning the corner and peaking at the right time. You want to be playing your best basketball going into the tournament.”
Cole Harris led Livingston with 11 points along with 9 by Rocco Carwile. Harris passed a career milestone Friday as scored his 1,00th-career point with a basket late in the first half.
White County jumped out to an 11-5 lead midway through the first quarter before Livingston pulled back within a possession to end the quarter at 13-10.
The Warriors pushed ahead by double digits in the second quarter as a Tucker Pinion three-pointer gave White County a 28-18 halftime lead.
White County maintained their lead through the third quarter as they ended the frame with a 37-28 advantage entering the fourth quarter. Livingston battled back within 7 points midway through the quarter, but White County held them off as they went on to win by a 50-35 final score.
The Warriors secured the District 7-3A tournament #3 seed with the victory and will face DeKalb County in the 3/6 game on Thursday while Livingston Academy finishes fourth and will face Cumberland County in the 4/5.
“Last year we broke a 10-year streak of playing for a district championship,” said Mitchell. “We want to get back there and these guys know that. We’re not taking anybody for granted; this district is tough.”
