Warriors take win over Cumberland County to advance to District Championship

On Feb. 18, White County High School Warriors traveled to Tennessee Tech to take on Cumberland County for the third time in eight days. The Warriors were 2-0 in the series, and the third win would be a challenging task. The neutral floor would prove tough on both teams.

During the first quarter, the Jets took the tip and turned it into a 2-0 lead. Almost two minutes later, a 3-pointer by freshman Tripp Pinion gave the Warriors the lead 3-2. The Jets would hit two more baskets to take a 6-3 lead before a White County timeout. With 3:15 left in the first quarter, a 3-pointer by Thomas Brock tied the game at 6-6. Baskets by Cumberland County and WCHS's Pinion would knot the game up at 8-8. Cumberland County would close the quarter out with a 3 to lead 11-8 over the Warriors.

Jake Davis would bring the Warriors within 1 on a quick Warrior basket to start the second quarter. The Jets and the Warriors' Tomas Paul would trade 3-pointers. A basket by the Jets and a 3-pointer by Thomas Brock would tie the game at 16-16. A basket by Paul would give the Warriors their first lead since 3-2. Paul went to the line for two free throws to extend the lead. The Jets answered with a 3-pointer and a free throw to tie it up 20-20. The Jets went on a 5-0 run to lead 25-20. With .2 seconds left, Jake Davis was fouled and went 2-2 from the line. Cumberland County took a 25-22 lead into the locker room.

The second half started quickly with a basket by Davis just 23 seconds into the quarter. The Warriors committed three quick fouls, and the Jets put the lead back to 3 with two free throws. Paul made a basket to get within 1 of the Jets. Cumberland County scored a basket and a free throw to go back up on the Warriors by 4. Japheth Richmond was fouled and went 2-2 from the line, with 4:08 left in the quarter. The Jets scored 5, and the Warriors answered with 4 capped by a basket by Jake Davis. The Jets led after three quarters 35-32.

The fourth quarter started with a 3-pointer by Christian Henderson to tie the game at 35-35. The Warriors took the lead with two free throws made by Paul, with 4:55 left in the game. The following two minutes were scoreless for both teams. White County called a timeout to regroup, with 2:44 left in the game. With 1:20 left in the game, Paul scored to give the Warriors a 39-35 lead. A foul was called, sending the Jets to the line for 2, cutting the lead to 2.

After a missed free-throw by the Warriors, Cumberland hit a basket to tie the game 39-39. White County called a timeout, with 40.9 seconds left in the game. White County called timeout with 10.3 seconds left in the game, and the game tied. Coach Eric Mitchell drew up a play for the Warriors to run for the lead. Paul drove the lane and made the basket to give the Warriors the lead 41-39.

Cumberland County called time out, with 2.6 seconds left in the game, and the Jets' inbound pass attempt was knocked into the bleachers by Japheth Richmond. The Jets’ next attempt got the ball in, a last-second shot went wide left, and the Warriors had held on to advance to the District Championship, with a final score of 41-39.