LADY JACKETS STUN WHITLEY

Williamsburg senior Samantha Burr scored eight of her game-high 15 points in the fourth quarter as the Lady Jackets came from behind to edge the Whitley County Lady Colonels, 39-36 at Lawson Gym Tuesday night.

The win over the Lady Colonels snapped a 22-game, 15-year losing streak for the Lady Jackets. It was the first time in Jim Rains’ tenure at Williamsburg that his team had defeated his former school.

Tuesday’s game was the opposite of the first meeting between the two when Williamsburg led most of the game only to see the Lady Colonels come back and take the win.

This contest was close from the opening tip to the final horn. The game was tied at 6-6 in the first quarter with three ties. Whitley County eased ahead in the second period and led by as much as four (15-11). The Lady Colonels led at the half 17-13.

Leanna Moses carried the Lady Colonels in the first half with nine of the 17 points. She finished the game with 13 points to lead Whitley County.

Whitley County took a seven-point lead to start the third quarter when Simbree Sizemore hit a three pointer, but Burr hit a three and Megan Stohner hit a pair of free throws to cut the lead to two (20-18) with six minutes left in the period.

Back-to-back baskets by Sierra Anderson pushed the lead to six (24-18) before Williamsburg outscored the Lady Colonels, 7-1 in the final three minutes to tie the game at the end of three, 25-25.

Taylor Haynes hit a three-pointer in the final seconds to give Williamsburg its first lead of the night, but eighth grader Kandace Craig hit one of two from the line with no time left on the clock tying the contest.

The game remained close throughout the fourth quarter and was tied three times. The last being at 34-34 when Anderson hit a short jumper. Williamsburg took the lead for good on a three by Burr with 2:35 left in the game.

Free throws by Alyssa Siler and Jessica Ball provided the final margin.

Whitley County failed to score in the final 2:35. The Lady Colonels had five misses and two turnovers during that span. Williamsburg hit two-of-six free throws in the final minute of play.

Williamsburg upped its season record to 8-5 while the Lady Colonels dropped to 6-8. The teams are tied in the district standings at 1-2.

Williamsburg will be at Corbin Friday night while Whitley County travels to South Laurel.

Williamsburg 39, Whitley Co. 36

Williamsburg            6     7  12  14- 39

Whitley Co.            6   11    8  11- 36

   Williamsburg (39) – Sears 2, Burr 15, Ball 3, Stohner 8, Siler 6, Haynes 3.

   Whitley Co. (36) – Moses 13, Craig 3, Leach 2, Anderson 2, Sizemore 3, Anderson 9, Jones 2.