Sunbright Defeats Wartburg 47-40 in Consolation Game
By Terry Futrell
It may have been only the consolation game for third place in District 3-1A, but the competition between the two top scorers in the district tournament added a level of excitement that kept fans on edge. Sunbright’s Casie Newport was the top scorer in the tournament with 46 points, followed closely by Wartburg’s Olivia Davis with 43 points (play-in game excluded). As the two teams battled, Newport and Davis were always near the action, each determined to lead their team to victory. Ultimately, it was Sunbright’s defense that made the difference as the Lady Tigers defeated Wartburg 47-40 to take third place in the tourney.
Sunbright jumped out to an 11-6 first quarter lead, with Newport pouring in nine points. Davis quickly was called for two fouls and sat out much of the quarter. Elizabeth Keathley led Wartburg in the quarter with six points.
With Davis back on the court, the second quarter was a much more even battle, with Sunbright taking an 11-10 scoring edge. Newport kept charging with eight points for the Lady Tigers. Davis scored seven points for the Lady Bulldogs and Keathley buried a trey. Sunbright led 22-16 at the half.
Wartburg matched the Lady Tigers point-for-point in the third quarter, with each team scoring 15 points. Both teams achieved greater balance in scoring, with four players contributing points for each in the third. Newport again led the way with seven points, and both Alexis Northrup and Lindsey Brown buried treys at a critical time. Davis scored seven points for Wartburg in the quarter, and Edye Ann Williams broke her scoring drought with four points. Sunbright led 37-31 going into the final quarter.
Both Newport and Davis went scoreless in the hotly contested fourth quarter, and their teammates had to pick up the slack. Brown led Sunbright in the quarter with five points, including her third 3-pont basket. Callie Smith also buried a trey and Northrup added a basket. Jayden Armes got into the scoring action with two baskets in the fourth. Williams buried a trey and Selena Byrge added a basket. Sunbright edged out Wartburg by a 10-9 scoring margin in the fourth.
Ultimately, Sunbright claimed the victory 47-40 and third place in the district tournament. Newport finished with 24 points and Davis scored 14 points for the Lady Bulldogs.
Sunbright travels to Greenback Friday evening to play the Lady Cherokees in Region 2 quarterfinal action. Wartburg travels to Harriman where they will face the District 4-1A champions.
