Warriorettes end great season on heartbreaker

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On Feb. 25, the Fred J. Page High School Lady Pioneers came to town to compete against the Warriorettes in regional play. The Lady Pioneers had been ranked the number one team in the state for most of the season before being upset in their district tournament. Roy Sewell gymnasium was packed with basketball fans, who came to see a great matchup between two great programs.

The Lady Pioneers started the game displaying their scoring abilities. White County senior Alaina Stiles scored 7 points in the first quarter, followed by Nia Powers with 2, and Celeste Reed with 1. After the first quarter of play, the Lady Pioneers held a 19-10 lead over the Warriorettes.

The second quarter started with Celeste Reed and Page swapping baskets, keeping the Page lead at 9. Stiles and Page also took turns scoring on 2-point baskets. Page went on a 6-0 run and held a 29-14 lead, with 4:00 minutes left in the half. After a jump ball call, Sparta's Stiles hit a 3-pointer for the Warriorettes. Page hit a basket, and, on the next possession, Powers was fouled and went 1-2 from the line. After Page's 4-0 run, Stiles hit a basket for Sparta. With 1:25 left in the half, Page held a 35-20 lead. After a Page basket, Celeste Reed was fouled on a made basket and went to the line and finished the 3-point play. Powers hit a basket at the buzzer for the Warriorettes. The Lady Pioneers held a 37-25 lead at the half.

The third quarter started with Page having the ball, and, after a 6-0 run, the Lady Pioneers held a 43-25 lead, with 6:28 left in the quarter. Reed scored a basket, and Powers went 2-2 from the line for the Warriorettes. A series of exchanging baskets with Page and WCHS's Reed kept the lead the same. Reed hit another basket, with 1:24 left in the quarter. Page attempted a last-second shot that was no good. The Lady Pioneers and the Warriorettes had played to a 10-10 score in the third, and the Lady Pioneers were still on top 47-35.

The fourth quarter started with WCHS having the ball. The first possession saw Reed pass the ball inside and Powers being fouled. Powers went to the line and went 2-2. Page answered back with two baskets. Powers was fouled and went to the line and went 2-2. With 6:08 left in the game, the Lady Pioneers led 51-39. Page answered with a basket and two free throws. K.K. McDonald scored a jumper, and Lexi Golden hit a 3 to rally the Warriorettes with a 5-0 run to pull within 11. Page went on a 5-0 run of their own before Reed scored for the Warriorettes. Page again went on a run hitting two baskets and two free throws for a 6-0 run. Stiles was fouled while making a basket and hit the bonus for a 3-point play. After a missed shot by the Lady Pioneers, Stiles went coast to coast and scored a basket for the Warriorettes. With 2:29 left in the game, Page called a timeout. Page finished the game, making two more baskets and going 2-2 from the line. Page advances on to the Region Semi-finals 72-51 over the Warriorettes.

“Congratulations to the Warriorettes on a great season; we are proud of their accomplishments and dedication to WCHS,” Greg Wilson, WCHS principal, said. “Thank you to all the young ladies for representing our community and school in such a positive manner. We will miss seeing the numbers 10 and 25 on the court next season. Best of luck and may your futures be blessed, Andi Haston and Alaina Stiles. Go Warriorettes!”

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