White County Warriorettes Fall In State Quarterfinals To Reigning Champion Dyersburg

Story by Noah McKay

Photos by Michael Lindsay

MURFREESBORO – The White County Warriorettes’ dream season came to an end in a 52-42 loss to defending state champion Dyersburg in the quarterfinal round of the TSSAA Class 3A state tournament on Thursday at the Murphy Center.

The contest was tight throughout, but late free throws converted by the Lady Trojans separated the score and ended the Warriorettes’ first state tournament run in 28 years. 

“I thought we ran a really good defensive gameplan,” said WCHS head coach Michael Dodgen. “We knew we weren’t going to stop (Chelby Jordan and Joya Crawford), but we had to do some things to contain them. The problem is we gave up 11 offensive rebounds. We had some looks we normally knock down that we didn’t knock down. That’s part of it. I’m really proud of our program and our kids that stepped on the floor.”

The Lady Trojans opened the game leading 5-0 before Ava Jones scored seven points for Sparta and Bella Winningham connected on a three to take a 10-7 lead.

After trading points, Keely Mullins made a fastbreak jumper to give WCHS a 16-15 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The back-and-forth scoring continued in the second, with Dyersburg answering a 5-0 Sparta run with a 7-0 run of their own, ultimately leading 29-27 at halftime.

Neither team led by more than four in the third quarter, with two Gracie Clark free throws cutting the Dyersburg lead to 37-36 after three.

The turning point in the game came with 2:44 remaining when Dodgen was issued a controversial technical foul, his first of the season, while asking for clarification on a call from a separate official.

The Lady Trojans capitalized with eight made free throws as the Warriorettes went 0-5 from the field and DHS secured the victory.

“It says a lot about these kids,” said Dodgen on how competitive his team was with the reigning state champions. “We were prepared for the moment. Little things just didn’t happen for us to get us over the hump. These kids are fighters. It’s what you’ve got to do.”

Jones led the Warriorettes in her final game scoring 16 points and adding 10 rebounds. She is part of a senior class that also features Mullins and Kennedy Billings. 

“That’s what seniors are supposed to do,” said Dodgen on his seniors. “Ava’s had a fantastic career at White County High School…. This is a group that has laid a foundation. White County is a storied basketball program that is very established, and it’s been a long hiatus. I’m really proud of them.”

Winningham scored 10 points. Gracie Clark scored six points with 10 rebounds. Lakelyn Grasty tallied six while Billings-Sullivan and Mullins each scored two. 

The Warriorettes finished the season with a 32-4 record. They were the District 7/3A regular season and tournament champions, the Region 4/3A tournament champions and made their first trip to the state tournament since 1997.

“We’re going to use this experience and we’re going to build on this,” said Dodgen. “We’re going to keep getting better and hopefully make this an every-year appearance. You just got a dose of how much passion these kids have in one game.”