Story and photos by Noah McKay
MURFREESBORO – The York Dragonettes will bring a silver ball to Jamestown after a 44-38 loss to Westview in the TSSAA Class 2A State Championship Game on Saturday at the Murphy Center.
The Dragonettes were unable to overcome a slow start, late mistakes and a late controversial call as they earned their second runner-up finish against Westview in four years.
“We weren’t happy with the first half,” said York head coach Michael Green. “We didn’t come out like we wanted to. Didn’t come out confident. You look at it ‘if, if, if’ ifs don’t do anything. Still it was right there. I’m proud of the fight and the battle. It doesn’t make it any better knowing it was right there.”
The Westview zone defense caused the Dragonettes problems early as the Chargerettes took a 5-0 lead. Reese Beaty scored the first Dragonette points, but Westview answered with a 7-2 run to take a 12-4 lead. Raylee Werner made a three late in the quarter as Westview led 14-7 after one.
The defenses then controlled the second quarter, with Westview leading 20-12 at halftime.
“First half was feelings,” said Green. “This whole tournament we’ve come out stagnant. It was feeling scared. Afraid to mess up. In that second half we might need to do what we’re best at which is getting after it. We remembered who we were at halftime.”
The Dragonettes deployed their full-court press in the second half, with Beaty, Emma Cooper and Werner each finding baskets to cut the deficit to 23-18 90 seconds into the third. Beaty and Cali Franklin then answered a WHS layup with four free throws to make it 25-22. Cooper later gave York their first lead with a layup. Westview hit a free throw late to make it 28-28 after three.
Two Beaty free throws gave the Dragonettes a 38-34 lead with 2:28 to play. The Chargerettes answered by scoring the game’s final 10 points, including an and-one by tournament MVP Maddie Gray with 51 seconds left, fouling Beaty out of the game. Late shots by York missed and the Chargerettes secured the 44-38 victory.
Great video by Jacob. I’m sorry to call it out but this is an absolute atrocious call in a huge spot. Happens every year in this tournament.
The sad part is it’s not even surprising. https://t.co/2YXjXFC7JQ
— Noah McKay (@NoahMcKayUCR) March 15, 2025
“We know we can’t leave the game in anybody’s hand but ours,” said Green. “We said that in the timeout. We can’t leave anything in anybody’s hands, we have to dictate what happens. She fouls out… this team went 14-5 without her. If we don’t get ourselves down at halftime that probably never happens.”
Beaty, an Iowa State signee, finished her storied career at York with a 15-point, six-rebound and four-assist performance. She was a two-time Miss Basketball Finalist, scored nearly 2,000 carer points and led the Dragonettes to four straight state tournaments and two state championship games. She returned this year from offseason shoulder surgery.
“It just hurts knowing you don’t have another shot,” said Beaty. “These girls are like my sisters. Our energy completely flipped that second half. We battled. That’s what we do.”
“She’s the one that’s been here for all four with me,” said Green. “She’s the one that deserves one more than anybody. To be that close… especially with these guys… to not be able to make that happen for her and this team… maybe my biggest failure is not being able to get it for her. I’ll have to live with that forever.”
Werner scored 11 points with six rebounds. Cooper scored eight points with seven rebounds. Franklin tallied four points.
“Most people who get down eight points at halftime to Westview are probably going to get beat by at least 20,” said Green. “That shows you what this team is made of. Never giving up.”
The Dragonettes went 30-6. They were the District 5/2A regular season and tournament champions, Region 3/2A tournament champions and made their 13th state tournament appearance. It was their second runner up finish in the tournament.
