Dobyns-Bennett’s Lady Indians defeated Rhea County, 54-51, Saturday in the Hixson High Wildcat Invitational basketball tournament despite a game-high 25 points from Jessee Wallis.
The Lady Golden Eagles (11-4) trailed 27-14 at halftime, but battled back to make the game close.
Rhea County trailed by three points and Julie Brown hit a 3 to tie the game at 51-51 with 14 seconds remaining. Dobyns-Bennett’s Madi Kilby drilled a 3 for the go-ahead bucket and Rhea called timeout with 3.5 seconds on the clock.
The Lady Golden Eagles inbounded the ball and called another timeout near midcourt with 1.5 seconds left. Dobyns-Bennett deflected the next inbound pass and time ran out.
“I am proud of our kids for battling, but we were out of sync basically all night and credit their defensive pressure for that,” Rhea County coach Shane Johnston said.
Brown finished with 11 points.
Sasha Morrissette led Dobyns-Bennett with 21 points. Kilby and Alex Anderson each scored 11 points.
SUMMARY
Rhea County 18 6 8 19 – 51
Dobyns-Bennett 14 13 9 18 – 54
Rhea County (51) – Jessee Wallis 25, Julie Brown 11, Levi 8, Freeman 4, Miles 2, Thurman 1.
Dobyns-Bennett (54) – Sasha Morrissette 21, Madi Kilby 11, Alex Anderson 11, Tincher 3, Patterson 2, Depew 6.
3-Point Goals: Rhea County 3 (Wallis 2, Brown 1); Dobyns-Bennett 3, (Kilby 2, Tincher 1).
(E-mail Larry Fleming at larryfleming44 @gmail.com)