HUNTER COOKSTON
Writer
Last Thursday, the Whitwell Tigers went on the road to Lookout Valley for a region matchup. Both teams opened the season with wins against the Yellowjackets in their previous meetings. This time around, the Lady Tigers dominated with a 54-9 victory, while the boys followed with a 58-51 win.
Whitwell started out slowly in the first quarter, which was expected after nearly a week off due to snow. Charlee Casseday connected on a three-pointer in the period, while Layla Holder and Callie Brock each added a basket.
The Lady Tigers pulled away in the second quarter, with Brock leading the way by scoring eight points. Casseday and Ayva Apostle followed with five points apiece, while Holder added four. Kiley Billingsley knocked down two free throws, and Anistyn Tate contributed two points as well.
In the third quarter, Billingsley led the scoring with nine points, followed closely by Brock with eight. Holder added four more points, and Apostle rounded out the scoring with two. Sophie Cookston finished the night with two points, and Cadance Caldwell added one.
In the boys’ game, the Tigers opened the contest slowly, scoring just seven points in the first quarter. Tyson Brashears knocked down a three-pointer, Bennett Goforth made a pair of free throws, and Brody Harvey added a basket.
Jordan Powell sparked the offense in the second quarter, scoring 11 of the Tigers’ 16 points. Brashears added four points, including a buzzer-beating three to give Whitwell the lead at halftime. Goforth rounded out the scoring with a free throw.
Whitwell pulled away after halftime by scoring 26 points in the third quarter. The post duo of Colin Beason and Brody Harvey combined for 16 points, while Powell added seven, including two shots from beyond the arc. Brashears also connected on a long-range three. In the final quarter, the Tigers managed the clock and scored six points.
The Lady Tigers and Tigers return to action on Thursday, Feb. 5 for Senior Night. JV Girls tip off at 3:30 p.m., followed by JV Boys at 4:30 p.m., Varsity Girls at 6 p.m., and Varsity Boys at 7:30 p.m.