HUNTER COOKSTON
Writer
A district matchup always brings energy, but when it’s a rivalry, the intensity reaches another level. The Whitwell Tigers and South Pittsburg Pirates squared off for the second time this season, with the Lady Tigers edging out a 47–45 win and the South Pittsburg boys claiming a 58–46 victory.
The girls’ matchup was packed with emotion from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Whitwell got off to a strong start, scoring 12 points in the first quarter. Callie Brock led the way with nine points, Kiley Billingsley added a bucket, and Ayva Apostle connected on a free throw. South Pittsburg managed just five points in the opening period, with four from Adrianna Robinson and a free throw from Kaydance Ferrell.
The Lady Tigers scored 13 points in the second quarter, while the Lady Pirates answered with 17. Anistyn Tate led Whitwell with four points, Brock knocked down a triple, and Layla Holder, Apostle, and Billingsley each contributed two. For South Pittsburg, Ariyah McKinney scored seven points, Robinson added six, and Jaylee Johnson and Ferrell chipped in a bucket apiece.
In the third quarter, Brock again led Whitwell with six points, followed by Billingsley, Apostle, and Holder, who each scored two. Robinson paced the Pirates with four points, while McKinney added three and Johnson scored two.
Billingsley led the way for the Lady Tigers in the fourth quarter, pouring in all 10 of Whitwell’s points after several starters fouled out. Sophie Cookston, Peyton Goforth, Cadance Caldwell, and Tate all stepped up to seal a huge district win.
For the Lady Pirates, Robinson finished with 21 points, McKinney had 10, Johnson scored six, Ferrell added five, and Madison Hawkins chipped in three. Brock led the scoring for Whitwell with 18 points, Billingsley finished with 16, Apostle contributed with five, Tate, and Holder each had four.
The boys’ game was more anticlimactic. South Pittsburg jumped out to an early 17–10 lead and never looked back. The Pirates’ defense held Whitwell to just 16 points in the first half, creating a sizable gap before halftime.
The third quarter followed the same script, with South Pittsburg continuing to score while Whitwell struggled to find the basket. Before the fourth quarter, the Tigers had not scored more than 10 points in any period. Whitwell finally broke through with 23 points in the final quarter, but it was too late.
Dayon Cooper, JR Hardrick, and Alex Phillips led the Pirates with 11 points apiece. Brandon Goldsmith added nine points, Nicoli Burton scored eight, Kaveon Sutton finished with six, and Ashton Hardy rounded out the scoring with a bucket.
Tyson Brashears led Whitwell with 18 points, followed by Jordan Powell with 11. Gabe Ross scored six points, Bennett Goforth, Brody Harvey, and Trent Tudors each finished with three, and Colin Beason added two.
Oddly enough, both teams’ next games will be at Sale Creek. Whitwell travels to Sale Creek on Thursday, 2/12 before closing the regular season at home on Friday, 2/13 against Marion County. South Pittsburg heads to Sale Creek on Friday, 2/13 to wrap up its regular season.