Gordonsville’s Historic Season Ends In 1A Quarterfinal Loss Against Wayne County

State Tournament coverage presented by Risher Roofing

Story by Noah McKay

The Gordonsville Tigerettes’ historic season came to an end in a 37-32 loss against Wayne County on Thursday at the Murphy Center.

The Tigerettes battled throughout, but were unable to overcome foul trouble and made free throws in the fourth quarter by WCHS. 

“I take a lot of responsibility,” said GHS head coach Terri Brock. “I thought I had our team prepared for the length of their zone… and I don’t think I had them prepared enough. Things weren’t as open as we’re used to them being and then when we got open looks we didn’t finish as well as we had been finishing. This is, unfortunately, not the game that you can’t finish well. We didn’t quit.”

The Lady Cats raced out to a 7-1 lead before the Tigerettes roared to life with an 11-0 run featuring seven points by All-UC Freshman Team’s Lily Brock. The Lady Cats answered with buckets, but GHS led 15-14 after one. 

Both defenses controlled the second quarter. A Lily Brock layup gave the Tigerettes a 19-18 lead, but WCHS answered with two free throws to take a 20-19 lead into halftime.

The game’s slow pace continued into the third quarter with Wayne County hitting a three a minute in followed by a Derionna Bell layup midway through the frame. A converted and-one by the Lady Cats gave them a 27-24 lead at the end of three. 

Two Tigerettes, Lanie Foster and Brooke Burke each fouled out early in the fourth quarter, but Derionna Bell converted an and-one with 1:06 to go to tie the game at 32. Wayne County then made five free throws in the final minute to secure the 37-32 win.

“Ultimately, it boiled down to we didn’t have enough production on the offensive end tonight,” said coach Brock. “That was the difference in the game.”

Bell and Molly Storie led the Tigerettes with nine points. Storie added seven rebounds. Lily Brock and Burke each tallied five with Foster and Makenzie Herron both scored two.

The Tigerettes were called for 23 fouls to Wayne County’s nine.

The Tigeretees (29-5) reached the state tournament for the fourth time in program history, and the first since 1999. It was the continuation of a turnaround under Brock in her second season. The Tigerettes won just four games the year before her arrival, but now have emerged on the state tournament stage.

“No matter how great your season is, if you’re not winning that championship game, you’re having an exponentially tough loss,” said coach Brock. “That’s what we just had, but I told them what an incredible season that these seniors have had. And the turnaround from their freshmen and sophomore year… to see what they accomplished this season. I think is remarkable.”