Staff Reports
The Clay County Lady Bulldogs traveled to Pickett County High School on Thursday night, Jan. 9 for a challenging matchup against the reigning 2024 state champions, the Lady Bobcats. The game took place ahead of a looming snowstorm that was set to hit the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee the next day.
The atmosphere for this rival matchup was charged from the opening tip-off. Pickett County, known for their fast-paced style, came out strong, applying a full court press on the Lady Bulldogs. However, Clay County, led by their determined seniors and promising young talent, kept pace. The first quarter was a physical battle, with both teams showcasing their defensive prowess.
Clay County's Haylen Garrison ignited the crowd with back-to-back three-pointers. Ella Eads, a key player for the Lady Bulldogs, consistently drove to the basket, scoring crucial points. Both Lady Bulldogs were standout players for this game.
Pickett County's offense was a force to be reckoned with. Their sharpshooters, like Zoey Nichols, connected on multiple three-pointers, stretching the lead. The Lady Bulldogs battled back, showcasing their resilience and determination.
The second half saw a back-and-forth battle. Clay County continued to fight, but Pickett County's offensive firepower proved to be too much to overcome. Despite the final score, the Lady Bulldogs left the court with their heads held high. They proved they could compete with the best and showed their fans a glimpse of the exciting season ahead. The Lady were overtaken by Pickett County 47-73 putting them at 1-1 in district play.
The team will have a shot at redemption when they face Pickett County again on Tuesday, Jan. 28. The next game is scheduled against Macon County at home on Monday, Jan 13, weather depending.
Lady Bulldogs next game is set for Friday, Jan 17 where they will host Clarkrange at home.
Stats:
Ella Eads 16 pts, 6 rebs, 3 asts
Haylen Garrison 10 pts
Baylor Walden 8 pts, 6 rebs, 4 asts
Laci Wix 6 pts, 9 rebs, 1 ast
Brooklyn Scott 4 pts, 2 rebs
Jenna Thompson 3 pts
Claire Kendall 5 rebs
Kailey Brown 3 rebs
Lila Birdwell 1 reb
Haylee Roberts 1 reb
Kaleah Crawford 1 reb