By Michael Lindsay

Upperman High School opened district play in the win column Friday night in Baxter as they swept White County in 7-3A action. The Lady Bees overcame a 7-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win 47-41 while the boys never trailed en route to a 63-27 victory.

Girls

Gracie Butler led the way with 25 points on Friday as Upperman defeated White County, 47-41.

“This was two really good basketball teams,” said Upperman head coach Dana McWilliams. “They’ve got a lot of talent and coach Michael Dodgen does a really good job. I’m proud of them and their effort. It was fun, and what a great atmosphere here tonight; it was wall to wall with people.”

Upperman trailed 36-29 with 5:50 remaining before the Lady Bees ripped off a 16-0 run over the ensuing 5 minutes to take a lead 45-36 lead before closing out to win 47-41.

Along with Butler’s 25 points, she tacked on 4 steals and 3 rebounds. Taylor Dolente also scored in double figures with 11 points, while Maggie Butler hauled in 13 rebounds.

“We got going there in the fourth quarter, and different people made big plays,” said McWilliams. “Gracie was really good tonight and she bounced back really good and came alive.”

A back-and-forth first half saw the teams tied at 6-6 after one quarter before Upperman took a 20-18 lead into the locker room at halftime. Neither team held more than a four-point lead through the entire first half.

White County regained the lead in the third quarter to take a 30-29 advantage into the fourth. Baskets from Kyra Fox, Ashlyn Selby and Gracie Clark to open the fourth extended the Warriorette’s lead to 36-29 with 6:01 remaining.

Facing a 7-point deficit, Upperman took control from there as two baskets by Butler and another by Dolente pulled the Lady Bees within a point at 36-35. Upperman retook the lead at the 3 minute mark as a a Butler and-one gave her team a 38-36 advantage.

Butler went 4-4 from the free-throw line and tacked on a transition layup over the ensuing 1:45 to give Upperman a 44-36 lead with 1:15 remaining. Two free throws from TT Carson and one by Maggie Butler put the game on ice to secure Upperman’s 47-41 victory.

The Lady Bees improve to 15-3 overall and 1-0 in District 7-3A play. Upperman travels to Cumberland County on Tuesday for the Lady Jets’ district opener while White County hosts Stone Memorial.

Boys

The defending Class 3A state champion Upperman Bees opened District 7-3A play in style Friday evening as they never trailed en route to a 63-27 win over White County.

“Any win you get in this league is good,” said Upperman head coach Bobby McWilliams. “I thought we came out ready to play. They were they were a man down and a big part of what they do, but I thought our kids mentally were locked in and ready to play. Coach Eric Mitchell does a good job over there; they’ve got good players and they’ve won a lot of games already this season.”

Three Bees scored in double figures as Colton Johnson led the way with 17 points and 11 rebounds. Reigning Class 3A Mr. Basketball Ty Cobb posted 16 points, 10 assists and 7 rebounds along with 13 points and 4 steals from Joseph Maynard.

Upperman opened the contest on a 12-0 run and led 18-14 after one quarter. Cobb had three transition dunks and two blocked shots in the first quarter. The Bees extended their advantage to 31-11 by halftime before cruising through the second half to win by a 63-27 final score.

Upperman improves to 15-4 overall and 1-0 in District 7-3A action while White County falls to 13-3 and 0-1. Up next for the Bees is a trip to Cumberland County on Tuesday while the Warriors host Stone Memorial.