HUNTER COOKSTON
Writer
Last Thursday had the potential to be a very special night for the Whitwell Tigers Middle School basketball team. Standing in their way were the Bledsoe County Warriors. The teams met twice during the regular season, with both squads winning by double digits. In the third matchup, it was Whitwell that came out on top, capturing the SVC Championship with a 46–43 victory.
The Tigers got off to a fast start, scoring easy points at the rim to build an early lead. Wyatt Pickett was feeling it from deep, knocking down two three-pointers. Kaiden Billingsley added four points in the quarter, while Eddie Kellum chipped in with a bucket. The Warriors scored eight points in the opening period.
The second quarter saw four Tigers find the scoring column. Pickett connected from beyond the arc once again for his third three of the half. Billingsley remained consistent with another four points. Ayden Nolan added two points, and Braxton Reynolds knocked down a free throw.
In the third quarter, Billingsley found his rhythm, erupting for eight points to help extend the Tigers’ lead. Reynolds added four points, and Kellum contributed another basket to his total.
All season long, the Tigers had found ways to pull out close games, earning the nickname the “cardiac kids” as they grinded out tight contest after tight contest. The championship game was no different. Entering the final quarter, Whitwell held a seven-point lead. With less than a minute remaining, the Tigers found themselves tied with the Warriors. Still, nothing was going to stand in the way of this team capturing its first-ever championship.
On a night that was nothing short of special, head coach Kyle Holloway had nothing but praise for his team.
“This was a total team effort. We made the change on Wednesday to put Braxton at point guard so we could get more shots off the ball against their defense, and he did an unbelievable job stepping into that role. Wyatt gave us a big spark early by knocking down threes. Eddie made a huge put back late, and Ayden hit a big bank shot early in the fourth to extend the lead. Bennett Painter did a great job all night defending a very talented player in Eli Angel. When we need a bucket, Kaiden is always our guy, he was the MVP of the tournament and came through when it mattered most.”
This marked the Tigers’ first-ever appearance in a championship game, and they simply refused to be denied. The special moment had been building since the group first started playing together in youth basketball.
“This group went all the way through the Whitwell Youth Basketball League together, starting with 3-on-3 battles as third and fourth graders, so the foundation had been there for a long time,” Holloway said. “Ultimately, this group played together for years, developed chemistry and friendships, learned to trust each other on the court, and added an important piece along the way.”
For Holloway, the hope is that his players will never forget the moment, while also understanding that the lessons learned extend far beyond basketball.
“I hope they take away that when you commit to something and stay together, special things can happen. Making school history and winning the gold ball is something they’ll always remember, but the bigger lesson is the work, sacrifices, trust, and relationships it took to get there. If they carry those lessons into the classroom, into athletics, and into life, then this season was about more than just a championship.”
Next season, the Tigers will be the hunted rather than the hunters, a new challenge for the athletes returning. For now, this year’s squad will savor the moment before turning their attention to getting back to work for the season that is still ahead.
Photos by Amy Painter