Josie Ashburn Hits Two Go-Ahead Free Throws With 6 Seconds Left To Lead Dragonettes To 45-43 Win Over Cookeville; Cavalier Boys Cruise To 67-40 Win

By Michael Lindsay

The Class 2A #1-ranked York Institute Dragonettes (18-3, 4-0) went up two classifications for their most recent win as they defeated Class 4A #3 Cookeville 45-43 on Thursday.

Late-game heroics from senior point guard Raylee Werner and junior Josie Ashburn were the difference as a Werner stole a Cookeville inbounds pass with 11 seconds remaining in a tie game, leading to Ashburn getting fouled in transition with 6.4 seconds left. Ashburn made both free throws to give the Dragonettes a 45-43 lead before Cookeville missed a game-tying shot at the buzzer.

Werner led the Dragonettes with 16 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists along with 8 points and 10 rebounds by Emma Cooper. Cara Lee Gilbert led Cookeville with 11 points and 5 boards followed by 10 points from Callie Gilbert and 9 by Allie Gillies.

York jumped out to a 14-6 lead in the first quarter and led by as many as 9 points (17-8) in the second period before Cookeville stormed back within 3 points at 25-22. Werner closed out the first half with a jumper near the buzzer to give York a 27-22 halftime lead.

A pair of Emma Pile free throws gave the Dragonettes a 34-24 lead with 4:13 remaining in the third quarter. Cookeville reeled off a 7-0 run to pull within a possession at 34-31, but York closed the quarter on a 6-1 run to lead 40-32 entering the fourth quarter.

The Lady Cavaliers pulled back within one point (43-42) via a Callie Gilbert three-pointer with 2:57 remaining. Gilbert tacked on a free throw less than a minute later to tie the game at 43-43 with 2:05 remaining.

York missed a shot on their ensuing possession, allowing Cookeville to take possession and drain the clock to 11 seconds left tied at 43. Following a Lady Cavalier timeout, Werner tipped and stole a pass before passing it ahead to Ashburn, who was fouled and made both free throws to give her team a 45-43 lead with 6.4 seconds remaining. Cookeville had a look to tie at the buzzer that was off the mark, sealing York’s 45-43 victory.

The Dragonettes improve to 18-3 while Cookeville falls to 18-3. Up next, Cookeville is scheduled to host Lincoln County in District 6-4A action on Tuesday while York Institute is set to host White County on Monday, weather permitting.

In boys action, the Cavaliers (13-7, 1-4) won their second consecutive gave as they defeated the Dragons (8-13, 2-2), 67-40. Four Cavaliers scored in double figures led by Walker Redding and Bryce Herron with 13 points each. Austin Teeters scored 12 on four three-pointers followed by 10 from Bo Maxwell. Coen Gibson led York with 11 along with 9 points by Brody Choate.

The Cavaliers led 12-9 after one quarter before outscoring York 22-11 in the second period to lead 34-20 at halftime. Cookeville kept control in the third quarter as they outscored the Dragons 25-10 in the frame to lead 59-30 before going on to win by a 67-40 final score.

Up next, Cookeville is scheduled to host Lincoln County in District 6-4A action on Tuesday while York Institute is set to host White County on Monday, weather permitting.