By Michael Lindsay
Balanced Offensive Effort Leads York Over Cookeville, 54-49
The York Institute Dragonettes (20-5, 6-0) won their 10th consecutive game Monday evening as they defeated Class 4A #10-ranked Cookeville (17-6, 6-2), 54-49.
“We play them because we know they’re great,” said York Institute head coach Michael Green. “They’re extremely fast and can shoot the three. We try to play really good 4A schools, and whether you win or not, you want to improve.”
A trio of Dragonettes scored in double figures as Emma Pile led with 17 points along with 14 from senior point guard Reese Beaty and 12 by Callie Franklin.
“Callie Franklin knocked down some outside shots and had a solid game,” said Green. “Emma Pile came to life in the second half and Raylee Werner did a great job defensively.
“Reese is full-steam ahead,” added Green. “She’s a threat from anywhere on the floor. We’re still not gelled like we want to be yet, though. It’s going to take a little bit of time, but it’s a great problem to have.”
Charlie Roby led Cookeville with 15 points followed by Macy Hudson with 11 and Callie Reeder with 10.
York jumped out to a 9-3 lead late in the first quarter before the Lady Cavs closed the frame on an 8-2 run to tie the game at 11-11 entering the second.
After trading leads late in the second, York Institute took an 18-16 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Dragonettes took control early in the third quarter as Pile reeled off three three-pointers along with a Franklin layup for an 11-0 run to give York a 29-16 lead with 5:45 remaining in the third quarter.
“We talked at halftime and got more disciplined offensively against their zone,” said Green. “We had a few different looks against it and they came out of it and went man.”
Cookeville battled back within single digits by the end of the third as they trailed York 37-28 entering the fourth quarter.
York Institute pushed their lead to 13 points (47-34) with 2:45 remaining before a Charlie Roby basket with 1:02 remaining pulled Cookeville within 7 points at 48-41.
Cookeville scored a pair of baskets in the final 8 seconds, but it wasn’t enough as York Institute held on to win by a 54-49 final score.
“We wanted to try and shut down Cara Lee Gilbert and Allie Gillies as good as we could,” said Green. “We didn’t shoot the ball as good as we wanted, but Emma Pile had a big night in the second half and we’re lucky to get the win.”
Up next for the Lady Cavaliers is a home game against Smyrna (5-13, 0-8) in District 7-4A play while York Institute hosts District 5-2A foe Monterey (1-20, 0-7), both on Tuesday.
Cookeville Runs Away With 74-34 Victory At York Institute
The Cookeville Cavaliers (13-11, 5-3) took care of business Monday evening as they traveled to Jamestown and left with a 74-34 victory over York Institute (2-18, 2-4).
Jaren Davis led Cookeville with 13 points, all of which came in the first half. Walker Redding followed with 11 points along with 10 points by Joseph Owens and 8 each from Bo Maxwell and Bryce Herren. Coen Gibson led York Institute with 9 points followed by 8 from Brody Choate.
Cookeville raced out to a 25-9 lead after one quarter and extended their advantage to 48-17 by halftime. The Cavaliers cruised in the second half to win by a 74-34 final score.
Up next for each team is a Tuesday district game as York hosts Monterey (4-16, 2-5) while Cookeville hosts Smyrna (13-12, 3-5).
