Coverage of the state tournament is presented by Legacy Athletics
MURFREESBORO – The York Dragonettes finished the 2021-2022 girls’ basketball season with a runner-up finish in the TSSAA Class AA State Championship Game in a 47-37loss against Westview on Saturday at the Murphy Center.
The Dragonettes were unable to overcome a stifling WHS 2-3 zone defense and foul trouble as one of the most successful seasons in school history came to an end.
“We know we could’ve done better,” said York head coach Michael Green. “That’s the best zone we’ve seen. We got off to a slow start, tried to battle back but it’s hard to overcome things. We didn’t play near up to our ability but we battled.”
The Lady Chargers, who entered the game 31-2, opened the contest with two straight threes. Senior guard Laci Patton then got the Dragonettes on the board with a three of her own. The Lady Chargers continued their hot shooting, making two more threes in the frame as they took a 16-7 lead into the second.
Junior forward Gabby Beaty opened the second quarter with four straight points as the Dragonettes held the Lady Chargers scoreless for the first 4:53 of the frame to cut the deficit to 16-13. The Lady Chargers answered with a 7-0 run to end the frame and take a 23-13 lead into halftime. McCall Simms ended the first half with 15 points for the Lady Chargers.
Each defense controlled the early portion of the third quarter. Gabby Beaty made two free throws to make it 25-17 with 3:52 left in the frame. She then made a layup a minute later to cut it to 25-19. She added another basket late in the frame as the Lady Chargers led 27-21 after three.
The two teams traded baskets early in the fourth quarter, with the Dragonettes continuing to be called for fouls throughout the frame. Three York turnovers kickstarted an 7-0 WHS run to make it 41-30 with 2:59 remaining. The Lady Chargers then stalled and made free throws down the stretch to secure the state championship.
“Everybody battled,” said Green. “Defensively, if you can overcome things you can overcome them, and if not you need to leave the court knowing you left it all out there and be thankful for being here.
The Dragonettes were called for 24 fouls in the game. The Lady Chargers were called for eight.
“It’s not the reason we got beat, but you can’t overcome an 18-point differential at the foul line,” said Green. “It’’s our own fault. We just couldn’t overcome it. We put ourselves into too big of a hole and you can’t guard the foul line.”
The Dragonettes were led by Gabby Beaty with 20 points and nine rebounds. Ellie Leffew added five points and three rebounds. Reese Beaty and Patton each tallied five points.
“In the first quarter she put us on her shoulders,” said Green on Gabby Beaty’s performance. “She’s usually our clutch player we can count on.”
Leffew, Reese and Gabby Beaty were each named to the All-Tournament Team.
The appearance marked the first trip to the state tournament for the Dragonettes since 2006.. The Dragonettes finished the season 29-7. They were the District 5/AA champions and the Region 3/AA runners-up and are bringing a silver ball to Jamestown.
It was the final game in the high school careers of Patton and Smith. Green said his seniors left their mark.
“They’ve really given us all they had,” said Green. “We’re going to miss them tremendously.”
Green said he hopes his team is remembered for fighting through adversity all season.
“There were so many obstacles to overcome off the court,” said Green. “To do that, and to get here… They can say a lot about us, but they can’t say these girls give up. You can remember this group for overcoming adversity the entire year.”
Photos by Kailee Means:
