The 5-6 grade postseason tournament would finally decide the best of the best in Warren County. The girls championship matchup found the Dibrell Lady Wildcats putting it all on the line against the Warren County Middle School Lady Pioneers.
The Lady Wildcats would take all the Lady Pioneers could give them in the first half, only to come out flat in the second half. It was all WCMS in the second half as the Lady Pioneers would defeat the Lady Wildcats 37-22.
Kamryn Nowlin would lead the Lady Pioneers with 11 points, followed closely by Cierra Martin with 10.
Kylie Young would lead the Lady Wildcats with 10 points.
After the half, Dibrell would find it slightly more difficult to pass up the Lady Pioneers than before. Coming out of the half tied at 10 points each, the Lady Pioneers would get out and run. WCMS was able to run the length of the floor at will to start the third quarter.
It would actually be free throws and second-chance baskets on the offensive end that would get the lead for WCMS. The Lady Pioneers were only slightly taller than the Lady Wildcats. Position would play a key role for WCMS in getting the rebounds, and second and third looks.
The defense of WCMS was intense in the third, only allowing Dibrell to score on two made free throws the entire quarter.
Frustration and fatigue was apparent on the Lady Wildcat side of the ball. The countless turnovers and loose balls were quickly gathered up by the Lady Pioneers, giving them easy points in transition. WCMS would score and turn around only to have the Lady Wildcats inbound the ball right into their hands for another shot underneath their own basket. It was all Nowlin and Martin for WCMS in the second half scoring from everywhere on the floor.
Too much Lady Pioneer offense for Dibrell on Friday night would eventually overtake the Lady Wildcats and leave them with a second-place finish in the postseason tournament.
In the first half, the Lady Wildcats kept up with the Lady Pioneers almost step for step. Both teams would start off quickly. WCMS would strike first in the scorebooks though setting the tone for the first half. Both teams had a difficult time breaking the pressure defense in the first half.
It would be a free throw by Dibrell just before the half to tie the score at 10 points each as time ran out and WCMS was not able to get a shot off. The first half of play would have led you to believe the Lady Wildcats could hang with the Lady Pioneers, and they very well could have but Coach Montgomery would come out in the second half with a new plan.
LADY PIONEERS - Kamryn Nowlin 11, Cierra Martin 10, Jeremiah Montgomery 6, Samantha Jennings 4, Cambria Baker 4, Taylor Swan 2.
LADY WILDCATS - Kylie Young 10, Bailey Glenn 7, Rhealee Johnson 3, Sadie Simmons 2.