By Michael Lindsay
Strong Fourth Quarter Leads Dragonettes To 52-35 Victory Over Smith County
The York Institute Dragonettes extended their lead atop District 5-2A Monday evening as they defeated the visiting Smith County Owls, 52-35.
“We knew as soon as we moved districts that Smith County would be a great competitive team,” said York head coach Michael Green. “They have size and some great players. We didn’t know what we’d see this game, and I’m proud of the way the girls battled and pulled out the win.”
Smith County trailed by only three points (34-31) early in the fourth quarter before the Dragonettes closed on an 18-4 run to win by 17 points.
“We got a little more patient and made them slow down a little,” said Green. “We’ve got Reese as a junior, but the majority of the playing time goes to freshmen and sophomores. Emma Pile and Zoey Gibson hit some big threes early.”
Junior point guard Reese Beaty and sophomore forward Emma Cooper led the Dragonettes with 12 points each on Monday along with 11 by Emma Pile. Merissa Spivey led Smith County with 10.
The Dragonettes jumped out by double digits early as a Pile three-pointer followed by Beaty layup gave York Institute a 12-2 advantage with 3:05 remaining in the opening quarter.
Smith County responded as the Lady Owls cut York’s lead to 15-7 by the end of the first period.
York Institute pushed their advantage back to 8 points (20-12) via a Cooper three-pointer with 4:04 left until halftime, but again the Lady Owls responded in the closing moment of the quarter as they cut York’s lead to four points at halftime, 22-18.
A Werner three-pointer and Cooper layup to start the second half gave the Dragonettes a 27-18 advantage over Smith County. York held a 6-point lead after three quarters as they entered the fourth quarter ahead 34-28.
Smith County’s Chloe Collins brought her team within one possession with the first basket of the fourth quarter as a corner three-pointer cut York Institute’s lead to 34-31 with 7:40 remaining.
Back-to-back three-pointers from Cooper and Pile extended York Institute’s lead to 40-31 with 4 minutes left. The three-pointers were the start of an 18-4 Dragonette run over the final 7 minutes as York Institute closed out strong to win by a 52-35 final score.
“That was a great game for us to be in,” said Green. “The score didn’t show how close it was. To battle there in those late game situations, we have to make sure we capitalize on them.”
York improves to 16-5 and 5-0 in District 5-2A play while Smith County drops to 15-8 and 4-1. The Dragonettes hold the top spot in district play followed by Smith County, Watertown, Jackson County and Monterey.
“We may face Smith County three more times,” said Green. “They’re very capable of beating us if we don’t play a great game.”
Up next for York Institute is a home contest on Friday against Jackson County while Smith County is scheduled to play at Monterey on Tuesday.
York Institute (52): Emma Cooper 12, Reese Beaty 12, Emma Pile 11, Cali Franklin 6, Zoe Gibson 6, Raylee Werner 5
Smith County (35): Merissa Spivey 10, Emry Jones 9, Chloe Collins 8, Airyn Enoch 6, Dacey Claywell 2
York Improves To 5-0 In District Action Via 50-38 Win Over Smith County
The York Institute Dragons have a two-game lead over the rest of District 5-2A following Monday’s 50-38 victory in Jamestown over Smith County.
“I thought Smith County played well and their zone defense is effective,” said York head coach Rodney Pile. “We struggled offensively all night, but played solid defensively. Overall, you have to be pleased with a district win by 12 points.”
Heath Wattenbarger led the Dragons with 16 points along with 11 from Bryson Bilbrey.
“We’ve got a good post presence with Bryson Bilbrey and Heath Wattenbarger,” said Pile. “When we can get them going and get some easy baskets, it helps everything. When you score a little, it relaxes everybody.”
Freshman Tyler Jones led the Owls with 10 points.
York Institute held a 10-7 lead after one quarter and grew their advantage to 18-9 via a Wattenbarger three-pointer early in the second quarter.
Smith County responded with a 9-2 run to close out the first half as a Taylor Kemp three-pointer cut York’s lead to 20-18 by halftime.
The Dragons controlled the early portions of the second half as a Carter Gibson three-pointer gave York a 32-23 lead with 2:50 remaining in the third quarter.
York extended their lead to double digits as a Will Beaty basket with 58 seconds left in the third gave the Dragons a 37-26 lead. Jackson Conatser closed the third quarter off via a floater as time expired to give York Institute a 39-26 lead entering the fourth quarter.
The Dragons held off Smith County over the final eight minutes as they went on to win by a 50-38 final score.
York Institute improves to 13-7 overall and 5-0 in District 5-2A play while Smith County falls to 9-16 and 3-2.
“We knew Smith and Jackson had split last week, so we knew this was a huge game for us,” said Pile. “Maybe we came out a little tight from that, but I’m proud of the win.”
The Dragons host Jackson County on Friday while Smith County travels to Monterey on Tuesday.
York Institute (50): Heath Wattenbarger 16, Bryson Bilbrey 11, Carter Gibson 8, Jackson Conatser 5, Will Beaty 5, Broc Parker 3, Andrew Hall 2
Smith County (38): Tyler Jones 10, Bennett Gammon 9, Clayton Rigsby 8, Taylor Kemp 6, Riley Martin 3, Peyton Hix 2
