WCHS Warriors fall in Regional Semi-Finals

The White County Warriors made their way to Tullahoma to play in the Regional Semi-Finals, on March 1. Their opponent would be the Patriots of Page High School. Both teams were coming off quarter-final wins; the winner would move on to the Regional Finals and be guaranteed a Sectional game.

The Patriots controlled the tip and got on the scoreboard first with a quick basket. After back-to-back turnovers by both teams, the Patriots were fouled and went 2-2 from the line and took an early 4-0 lead. The Warriors got on the board with a Tomas Paul 3-pointer at the 4:47 mark in the first. On the next possession, the Warriors were fouled, and Japheth Richmond went to the line and went 0-2. Richmond quickly made up for the missed free throws, with a basket for the Warriors. Page went to the line and went 2-2 to pull within one. Christian Henderson checked into the game for the Warriors and made a basket to end the scoring in the first quarter. The Warriors held a 9-6 lead at the end of one.

Page opened up the second quarter with a basket and was fouled but missed the free throw to pull within one. Page then scored a basket to retake the lead 10-9. With 5:07 left in the third, Tripp Pinion hit a basket for the Warriors and took the lead back 11-10. Thomas Brock hit a 3, and the Warriors held a 4-point lead. Page hit two baskets in a row to tie the game at 14-14. Page then hit a 3-pointer, which was answered by a 3-pointer by Jake Davis. The game was tied at 17. Page hit a 3-pointer to end the scoring for the first half and held a 20-17 lead at the half.

The third quarter started with White County's possession arrow pointing their way. Page quickly settled back in and scored two baskets to extend their lead over the Warriors. Sparta broke the slow start with a basket by Jake Davis, with 5:40 left in the third quarter. Page was fouled and went 1-2 from the line. Davis then hit two baskets for the Warriors, and Page answered with a basket before their timeout with 3:21 left in the quarter and a 4-point lead. Page then extended their lead with a 3-pointer, but Sparta's Christian Henderson answered with a 3 of his own. Tomas Paul was fouled and went to the line and 1-2, pulling the Warriors to within 3. Page attempted a last-second shot but was blocked by Davis. The Patriots held a 30-27 lead after three quarters.

The fourth quarter started with Page having the first possession. Page made a basket and was fouled but missed the free throw. Page scored the next basket giving the Patriots a 34-27 lead, forcing White County to take a timeout to regroup, with 5:33 left in the game. Page would make the next basket and go to the free throw for a chance at a 3-point play but missed the free throw. A basket broke the scoring drought for the Warriors from Tripp Pinion. Page answered with two made baskets. The Warriors saw a little hope when Jake Davis hit a 3-pointer. Sparta's Paul and the Patriots traded baskets after a timeout, with 1:26 left in the game and Page having a 40-32 lead. White County called timeout, with 1:13 left in the game and was down 8. Page went 3-4 from the line in the last minute and finished the game with a 45-34 win to advance to the Region Finals.

“Congratulations to the Warriors 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 men for representing our community and school in such a positive manner. We will miss seeing the numbers 23, 10, 5 on the court next season. Best of luck and may your futures be blessed, Jeremiah Gardenhire, Christian Kelso, and Javyn Strode. Go, Warriors!”