WCHS Warriors win thriller in overtime on Dec. 5

Masyn Winningham and Kade Clark defending vs. Monterey

By Jerry Lowery

On a rare Thursday night game,  the White County Warriors and Warriorettes made the trip up to Monterey, on Dec. 5,  to take on the Wildcats in a non-conference matchup.

The boys’ team from Monterey was undefeated in play this season.  Monterey came out firing on all cylinders and took a commanding 16-point lead in the first half.  The Warriors fought back to being the margin to six at the half.

Monterey came out in the third quarter and continued to outplay the Warriors with strong offensive output and a very stingy man defense.  The Warriors started a comeback early in the fourth quarter.  Monterey started using the clock during the comeback effort and had passed up a couple of layups to keep the clock moving.

The Warriors started fouling when needed and Monterey missed some key free throws.  As the Warriors pulled close, Grant Slatten was fouled with 1.8 seconds to play as he was attempting a game-tying three-point shot.  With ice water in his veins and as cool as the underside of the pillow, Slatten hit all three shots to tie the game and send the game into an extra period.

In overtime, the Warriors took a slim two-point lead and held on as Monterey missed two close-range jump shots giving the Warriors the overtime win.  The final score was 78-76 in favor of the Warriors.

Grant Slatten led the team with 34 points.  Kegan Dodson added 12 points and five steals.  Masyn Winningham scored 11, and Kade Clark put in 10 points.  Austin Burchett added five, and Micah Webster scored four points.  Tucker Nash scored two points to finish the scoring for the Warriors.  The Warriors shot 46 percent from the field by hitting 25 of 54 shots.  They hit six of 16 for 38 percent from the three-point stripe.  Monterey outrebounded the Warriors by a margin of 32-23.  This was the Wildcat’s first defeat of the season.

Kendreah Reeves setting up offense vs. Monterey

In the first game of the night, the Warriorettes dominated the Monterey Lady Wildcats and won by a 75-34 margin.

Gracie Dodgen led with 15 points followed by Kendreah Reeves with 11 points.  Nautica Brown added 10 points, and Mia Murray scored 9 points.  Julia Curtis and Nia Powers added six points each. Alaina Stiles scored five, and Kanden Reeves added four points.  Jensine Lane added three points, and Caydra Parker scored one point.  The Warriorettes were 23 of 62 from the field for a shooting percentage of 37 percent.  The Warriorettes were seven of 29 from the three line and shot 24 percent.