Sparta
The Warriors were looking to snap a three-game losing streak that started back on January 9th against Upperman. They would have to do it against the Smith County Owls, who Sparta only beat because of a Mason Steele buzzer beater back on December 8.
That December game ended in a 62-61 score; the January game would end in a 63-62 score in favor of the White County Warriors once again. Sparta had to rally to win the game on Tuesday after trailing for much of the game. The Warriors only took the lead once in the first half, other than that it was all Smith County up until the end.
The Warriors, down five, would ride the hot hand of Cole Sims. Sims hit a three pointer to cut the lead to two. Then, after Knox Jones missed two Smith County free throws, Cole Sims put the game in his hands and scored a layup with less than 15 seconds left in the contest. Not only did the layup tie the game, but Sims was fouled on the shot and knocked in the and-one to give Sparta a 63-62 lead. Smith County let the clock run all the way to 2.1 seconds before the official awarded them a timeout. Out of the timeout, the Owls went to their leading scorer on the night in Cooper Williams for a three, but the ball found metal from the rim instead of net.
Sims not only won the game for Sparta, he kept them in the game all night long as he led, not only White County, but every player on the floor, in scoring as he casually dropped 39 points. Sims was able to knock in five three-pointers, the most of any player, on the night. Mason Steele scored double digits again against the Owls, scoring 10 points while Griffin Adams scored seven points and Tucker Pinion added 6 points. Lukas Smith was White County’s other scorer dropping in just one point from the free throw line.
The Owls had two 20+ point scorers just like the girls' team with Cooper Williams scoring 22 points and Lucas Cornwell adding 21 points.
White County improved to 13-5 on the year. The only downside of the night would be the Warriors are still 0-3 in district play, since Tuesday night was a non-district game. Livingston Academy joined Sparta at 0-3 in district play after the Wildcats fell to the Jets of Cumberland County on Tuesday. White County will look to earn that first district win against said Wildcats this Friday night in Livingston. Radio coverage of the game can be heard on 92.7 YERT FM.
With the threat of inclement winter weather this weekend, games this week and possibly next week could be affected with any of the following coming into play: a time change, rescheduling, or being flat out cancelled. Be sure to follow the Main Street Journal - Sparta and 92.7 YERT FM's on Facebook for game status updates as they become available.
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