A fierce late-game rally couldn’t slingshot the WCHS Lady Pioneers to a district tournament championship Friday night.
Warren County was plagued by foul trouble and poor shooting in suffering a 56-45 loss to Coffee County in a title game played at Shelbyville Central High School.
Sable Winfree was the top scorer for the Lady Pioneers with 14 points. Kyra Perkins added 10.
The loss means Warren County will be the No. 2 seed in the region tournament and play its first game at home at Charlie Dalton Gym. That game will be held this Friday night, Feb. 25, with a start time of 7 p.m.
“We got in foul trouble early and had to sit some key players on the bench,” said WCHS coach Anthony Lippe, who was announced as district Coach of the Year after the tournament. “The calls just didn’t go our way tonight.”
Coffee County has been like a thorn in Warren County’s throat, beating the Lady Pioneers four times this year. The Lady Raiders are much bigger than Warren County and had a clear edge in rebounding and post scoring Friday night.
Coffee County was in no hurry to take a shot. The Lady Raiders are extremely patient in their half-court set and coach Joe Pat Cope said that’s by design.
“We know we’re bigger and we want to get the ball inside because we like 2-footers,” said Cope. “If we can’t do that, we’re going to pass it around until we have an open 3.”
Coach Cope pointed out Coffee County (26-3) started the season 3-3 when the Lady Raiders were without point guard Jalie Ruehling, but they are undefeated with her in the lineup.
“She makes that much of a difference,” said Cope.
Savannah Winfree had a noteworthy game in playing quality minutes for the Lady Pioneers. She scored 9 points and did a great job keeping several rebounds alive.
Shelby Smartt played limited minutes for the Lady Pioneers before fouling out in the second half with 3 points, well below her average.
Despite a shaky first half, Warren County was still in the game, down 24-17 at halftime. The Lady Pioneers continued to hang around and were down 31-25 to end the third when Savannah Winfree made a jumper in the lane.
Coffee County went up by 13 points in the fourth when Ellie Chumley grabbed an offensive rebound and then converted a 3-point play with 4:06 left.
Warren County came storming back behind backcourt pressure that was effective in disrupting Coffee County’s normal offense.
Brienne Kelsey made a 3-pointer that was followed by a Perkins steal in the backcourt. Perkins took the ball strong to the rim, was fouled, and converted both free throws to make it a 44-41 game with 1:53 left.
But the Lady Pioneers couldn’t get any closer. Coffee County scored seven straight points, all from the foul line, to regain control, 51-41, with :46 left. Warren County wasn’t able to make a dent in that margin.
WARREN COUNTY – Sable Winfree 14, Kyra Perkins 10, Savannah Winfree 9, Jaden Smartt 3, Mia Hobbs 3, Shelby Smartt 3, Brienne Kelsey 3
COFFEE COUNTY – Olivia Vinson 16, Chloe Gannon 11, Ellie Chumley 10, Kiya Ferrell 7, Jalie Ruehling 7, Channah Gannon 4
