The Dibrell Lady Wildcats will be playing in the finals of the 3-pt Club preseason tournament, but their victory nearly slipped away on Thursday night.A furious comeback by the Warren County Middle School Lady Pioneers, led by Kelcy Fults, fell two points short as Dibrell won 26-24 at Charlie Dalton Gym.The Lady Wildcats dominated the first three quarters of the semifinals matchup between two teams which had each won Tuesday night.Rachel Johnson’s eight, first-half points, along with four from Bailey Barrett, put Dibrell ahead 14-6 at halftime. Two baskets from Jaylnn Davis and two free throws from Johnson helped the Lady Wildcats push the lead into double digits entering the final six minutes.When the fourth quarter began with Warren County trailing 22-10, Fults took over the game.Fults began the fourth quarter with a pair of free throws, then drained a jumper from the free-throw line.Dibrell answered back with shots from Johnson and Ali Wrisner, but Warren County wasn’t going down without a fight.Shonacye Rutledge and Kaylee Chisam knocked home shots and Emily Mikkola made a free throw as the game entered the final minute with Dibrell leading 26-22.Fults would cut the lead in half with 25.7 seconds to go when she banked in a turnaround jumper from the right side. Warren County then turned to its defense to get the ball back.The Lady Wildcats tried to inbound the ball, but the Lady Pioneers were making things difficult.
Dibrell outlasts Lady Pioneers