Celeste Reed makes Warriorette history

Warriorette basketball has a rich and talented history dating back to the 1920’s when WCHS girls’ basketball was known as the Spartanettes. Hundreds of young ladies have donned the maroon and gray and proudly represented our hometown of Sparta. The list proliferated when random people from the Sparta fan base were asked to name Warriorettes of the past who were great representatives of past seasons. The list could be an endless stream of names. Here are just a few names individuals gave: Clouse, Dunham, Bradley, Adcock, Puckett, Gist, Daniels, Copeland, Bolin, Holland, Jarred, Robinson, Jolly, Hale, Haile, Wilhite, Leftwich, Officer, Rowland, McManus, Sims, Clark, Culley, Johnson, Officer, Blakeman, Anderson, Sunday, Yslas, Mitchell, Cash, Powers, Dodgen, Stiles, Baldwin, Crowder, Simpson, and the list could continue on and on from names of players in the last 100 years.

Added to the list of players and accolades, WCHS now has its first TSSAA Class 3A Miss Basketball winner: Celeste Reed. Celeste was crowned Miss Basketball, on March 12, 2024, at the Murphy Center on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University, in Murfreesboro. She was chosen over two outstanding players: Carlee Lowry, of Signal Mountain High School, and Addison Melton, of Central Magnet High School. Celeste was well represented at the event by her teammates, coaches, family, and administration.

Celeste described her emotions on the ride to MTSU as “excited, nervous, but happy to be in the top three.” Celeste and the boys’ and girls’ selections for the multiple classifications were called to the tunnel to await their time to shine. Celeste said while waiting for the 3A selections to be called, “It felt like forever until they called my name to walk out. It was nerve-wracking, and I was nervous about walking out to the Murphy Center’s mid-court.”

When the Tennessee Titans’ Mike Keith announced the winner, Celeste said, “She went blank.” Then, she realized he had called her name, “When she saw her teammates, family, and friends cheering and realized he had called her name.” She said, “I would like to thank God and my parents for all the sacrifices they made [for me] to get the chance to be the recipient of this great award.”

When asked about being the first WCHS female to be named a Miss Basketball recipient, Celeste replied, “I am surprised that I am the first Miss Basketball winner for WCHS. With all the ladies who played before and the rich history of WCHS basketball, it is unbelievable that one of those before me had never received the award.”

Reed completes her Warriorette career with 1,476 points (7th all-time), 1,004 rebounds (1st all-time), with a 54 percent shooting percentage, 31 percent 3-point shooting percentage, and 71 percent free throw percentage, played in 123 games. Celeste and her fellow seniors have won 101 games in their careers. Reed’s best game came against Livingston last year when she scored 35 points and had 23 rebounds.

When asked what she would like to say to the White County fans, Reed responded, “I want to thank them for their support; Sparta has always been my biggest fan. I would have never gotten to the Miss Basketball award without the WCHS fans.” The individuals in the stands showed support for Reed by cheering her on at the Murphy Center.

When asked about his feelings about Celeste being named Miss Basketball, Coach Michael Dodgen said, “I am really proud of Celeste’s accomplishments as a Warriorette. It is a big honor to be named Miss Basketball, not only for her but also for her family, team, school, and the White County community. Celeste is a great player and deserves this prestigious honor.”

County Athletic Director Terry Crain was on hand for the ceremony and said, “Celeste deserves this award. She is a hard worker and gives 100 percent. I recognize this is an individual award, but Celeste is a team player and works well with her teammates. I am very proud of her and this great accomplishment.”

White County High School administration is very proud of Celeste’s accomplishment. Principal Greg Wilson stated, “Celeste’s career at WCHS will forever be in the record books. Having watched many of those mentioned as WCHS greats play, I am proud to say that I was the principal of WCHS when Celeste Reed brought the Miss Basketball Award to our hometown. We will plan a celebration for the community and student body shortly to celebrate this great accomplishment. Go Warriors and Warriorettes!”