Finish tournament in 4th place

One of the biggest battles of the annual Nera White Invitational Basketball tournament took place on Tuesday, Dec. 30 in the final day of play.

The MCHS Tigerettes took to their own court to take on the Clay County Bulldogs in a battle for third and fourth place in the tournament record books.

With only 3:12 left in the first quarter Clay County's Brooke Smith shoots and makes an impressive three pointer. This gave Clay County a four point lead with a score of nine against Macon County's five points. The Tigerettes played fast and hard but couldn't get into scoring position. With turnovers, blocked shots and steals from Clay County, Macon County continued to trail at the end of the first. Macon County 5, Clay County 18.

The Tigerettes continued to struggle into the second when Holly Compton shoots and misses only to have Clay County's Stephanie Rich answer with two points. #10 Courtney Thomas' three point attempt also falls short with team mate Brandi Sircy coming down with the rebound. Macon County's struggle continues when they lose the ball and Jr. Tia Troutt commits a foul trying to regain control of the ball to lower the deficit on the scoreboard. Macon County again turns the ball over when they are charged with three second violation under the goal and Clay County once again answers with a two point basket. Courtney Thomas out maneuvers Clay County's defense with some fancy dribbling and footwork only to shoot and once again miss. Macon County once again turns the ball over and Clay County puts it up for two more! Jr. Brandi Sircy comes down with the rebound and loses the ball which gives the Clay County Bulldogs another basket. The Tigerettes still unable to find a basket in the second show only five points on the scoreboard. With 1:45 left in the half the Tigerettes find some momentum when Brittany Bowers makes a three point shot and the half ends with the Bulldogs on top 27-11.

Coming out after the half time intermission Sr. Kristen Wix forces some defensive pressure leaving Clay County with no alternative but to shoot right which results in two missed basket attempts. With Macon County playing much more aggressive the Bulldogs get called for their fourth violation of running off the shot clock. Clay County steals the freshly turned over ball, shoots and misses. They grab their own rebound, put the ball up and put the first two points of the third quarter on the board. The score is 29-11 with the Bulldogs on top. The Tigerettes continue to play a more aggressive game while watching the lead continue to widen. Kristen Wix draws a foul and goes to the line to give Macon County it's first points in the second half. However, being down by a score of 31-12 the Bulldogs refuse to back down from battling for the third place trophy. Wanting the third place trophy for themselves Tigerette Brandi Sircy blocks a shot by the Bulldogs and Jr. Tia Troutt grabs the rebound, passes it to Wix who has it picked off. Clay County's Brooke Smith, who had three 3 point baskets in the first quarter, and team mates find themselves scoreless in the third. Just before the buzzer Kristen Wix draws a foul and makes the baskets easily scoring for the Tigeretts. The third quarter ends with a combined total of just three points being scored in the quarter by both teams.

With eighteen attempts before scoring Tia Troutt shoots and makes a three point basket, Macon County 17, Clay County 36. Clay County mis-communicates and has six players on the floor giving Macon County the chance to cut the lead but not playing to the best of their ability it's just not enough to catch up. With 2:36 left in the game Holly Compton passes to Jenna Prock who hands off to Barbara Carroll who misses the final shot. Macon County finishes in fourth place trailing by a score of 18 to Clay County 40.

Kristen Wix paced Macon County with six points, team mates Brittany Bowers, Holly Compton, Brandi Sircy, and Tia Troutt added three points each to the score.