The Warren County Middle School girls basketball team was less than a minute away from starting the season 2-0, but things can change in a second.
White County guard Paige Parker sank a late 3-pointer to send the game to overtime and the visitors would hold the Lady Pioneers without a field goal in extra time to prevail 26-23.
Warren County (1-1) was coming off a dominating 61-1 win over Tullahoma in its opening game when it played host to the Warriorettes Thursday night.
The scoring touch the Lady Pioneers had in their first game didn’t seem to carry over as Warren County didn’t crack double figures until the third quarter against White County. Instead, coach Shea Panter stressed getting stops to her team as the defensive struggle didn’t see either team heat up on offense until the second half.
Warren County trailed 5-4 at halftime after Kaylee Chisam sank a shot in each of the first two quarters. Chisam kept carrying the Lady Pioneer offense after the break as she netted six of the team’s eight points in the third quarter to take a 12-10 lead into the final period. Lexie Chadwell added a layup to the total.
The scoring went back and forth, but the Lady Pioneers were able to stay ahead as Megan Patch and Shonacye Rutledge each hit short shots. Patch looked to have provided a dagger when she sank a late 3-pointer, but White County wouldn’t quit.
By the time Parker drilled the late 3-pointer, the game headed to three-minute overtime period.
Warren County struggled mightily from the field in overtime, missing all its chances against a strong White County defense. Chisam would put the Lady Pioneers on the scoreboard with four free throws, but it wasn’t enough as White County got buckets from Parker and Hannah Leftwich to win.
Chisam finished with 14 points in the loss, giving her the team lead for the second straight game. The Lady Pioneer forward scored 13 points in the 60-point victory over Tullahoma.
Also scoring in double figures in the opening season win was Patch with 11 and Rutledge with 10. Allison Cripps added nine.
The Lady Pioneers will try to bounce back Monday with an away game against Franklin South. Action is set to start at 6 p.m.